Tag: Christian Wood

James Harden praises John Wall, Christian Wood, and DeMarcus Cousins

In Monday’s media availability, Harden offered plenty of praise for Houston’s highest-profile additions during the recent offseason.

It remains to be seen whether the new-look Houston Rockets have enough quality to contend for the 2020-21 NBA title and, perhaps, eventually convince All-Star guard James Harden to rescind his trade request. As of Monday, Harden clearly didn’t want to discuss that topic.

But after his first week of training camp, “The Beard” clearly sees reasons for optimism regarding several of his new teammates — in particular, emerging big man Christian Wood and former All-Stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins. With videos, here’s a sampling of what Harden had to say Monday regarding those three newcomers.

On Wall:

His playmaking ability is very, very good. He’s getting guys shots, he’s getting into the paint, he’s drawing pressure at the rim, which allows everybody to get shots.

On Wood:

Very athletic. Uses his length very well. Can shoot the basketball. Can handle it and make a play. He’s very versatile as a big. It’s a nightmare matchup for natural centers who are closing out to him or trying to guard him one-on-one.

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On Cousins:

He’s very versatile, scoring-wise. He can score from the block, which we’ve all seen before. He’s way more comfortable with his 3-ball. So he’s versatile. He has different dynamics to his game, offensively, which allows us more spacing.

Head coach Stephen Silas said that his starting lineup for Wednesday’s regular-season opener versus Oklahoma City would likely feature Harden and Wall in the backcourt; Wood at center; and Danuel House Jr. and PJ Tucker at the forward spots. Cousins is expected to play a prominent role off the bench, largely as Wood’s backup in the middle.

Harden’s complete media availability session after Monday’s practice at Toyota Center can be viewed below.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCbmZPig-S0

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Rockets compare Christian Wood to Anthony Davis, Kristaps Porzingis

After Thursday’s game, Eric Gordon said Wood reminded him of playing with Davis, while Stephen Silas wants Wood in a “Porzingis role.”

After a sensational debut in Houston’s final preseason game, Rockets guard Eric Gordon had quite a comparison for new center Christian Wood.

“He’s similar to, like, Anthony Davis,” said Gordon, who was asked if Wood reminded him of anyone that he had played with. Gordon and Davis, a perennial All-Star, played together years ago in New Orleans.

“Because he can shoot, and get to the rim,” Gordon continued. “He’s still learning and adjusting. He’s still young, and he’s going to have a more prominent role here than he has before at any time in his career.”

“It’s going to take a major adjustment,” Gordon said. “Teams are going to focus on him more. So, we’ve just got to see how he adjusts during the season. But if he plays with a lot of energy, it makes it easier on everybody. Our bigs, they’re going to be a major force in what we do.”

Wood, who was signed by the Rockets in 2020 free agency, missed the first three preseason games with a sore left elbow. But the 25-year-old made quite a first impression in Thursday’s blowout win over San Antonio.

In just 24 minutes, the athletic 6-foot-10 big man scored 27 points (56% FG) and grabbed 10 rebounds, and he seemed to grow more comfortable with All-Star guard James Harden as the game moved along. When Wood checked out late in the third quarter, Houston led by 31 points.

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In postgame comments, Wood said head coach Stephen Silas had said he could play a “Porzingis role” in Houston’s offense, referring to how 7-foot-3 Kristaps Porzingis was used by Dallas last season. In fact, Silas himself made that comparison in comments to reporters earlier this month. With Silas effectively serving as the offensive coordinator, Porzingis and the 2019-20 Mavs finished with the most efficient offense in NBA history.

With the Rockets, Wood said that Silas believes that he can become one of the NBA’s best pick-and-roll players when playing alongside veteran guards such as Harden and John Wall.

“He believes in me, and I believe in him,” Wood said of Silas. “And that’s one of the reasons why I’m here.”

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Rockets reaction: Christian Wood has sensational debut in rout of Spurs

After missing the first three preseason games, Wood had 27 points (56% FG) and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes as Houston won big.

After missing Houston’s first three preseason games with a sore left elbow, offseason acquisition Christian Wood made quite a splash in his debut as the Rockets defeated San Antonio, 128-106 (box score).

The 6-foot-10 big man had 27 points (56% FG) and 10 rebounds in just 24 minutes. At just 25 years old, Houston’s athletic, versatile, and skilled center showed clear flashes — even in an exhibition game — of why the Rockets envision him as a key building block for years to come.

Houston led by 31 points when Wood checked out near the end of the third quarter. San Antonio cut into the margin slightly in the fourth quarter, when the Rockets were largely playing non-rotation players.

Besides Wood, starting guards James Harden and Eric Gordon each played well and kept the ball moving. Gordon scored 23 points (64.3% FG) and dished out five assists in 27 minutes, while Harden had 20 points (57.1% FG), nine assists, and seven rebounds in 27 minutes.

The Spurs were led by 21 points from DeMar DeRozan, who shot just 5-of-13 (38.5%) from the field. San Antonio concluded the 2020-21 preseason at 0-3, while the Rockets finished at 3-1. The regular season begins next Wednesday, Dec. 23, also at home inside Toyota Center.

See below for highlights and postgame reaction from Thursday’s game. Interviews include Wood, Harden, and head coach Stephen Silas.

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Rockets vs. Spurs: Live stream, how to watch, TV channel, start time

Houston will wrap up its four-game preseason slate for the 2020-21 NBA season with Thursday’s home contest versus San Antonio.

The Rockets host the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center on Thursday for the final game of Houston’s exhibition slate. If you’re wondering how you can watch the action live, you’ve come to the right place.

After missing the first three preseason outings with a sore left elbow, newcomer Christian Wood was upgraded to questionable for Thursday’s finale and could be on the verge of making his debut in Houston.

Signed in the offseason, the 25-year-old is expected to be the starting center for the Rockets when the regular season opens next week.

Here’s when you should tune in to see the fourth preseason game:

  • Date: Thursday, Dec. 17
  • Time: 7 p.m. Central
  • TV Channel: AT&T SportsNet Southwest
  • Live stream: fuboTV in Houston markets (watch for free)

The Rockets are 2-1 in the preseason after defeating the Spurs, 112-98 (box score), on Tuesday night, while the Spurs are 0-2 following losses in Houston and at home to Oklahoma City last Saturday.

Houston finished 44-28 and in the No. 4 spot in the Western Conference in the 2019-20 season, while San Antonio was 32-39 and at No. 11.

Projected lineups are from NBA.com’s official game notes and have yet to be confirmed by head coaches Stephen Silas or Gregg Popovich. If Wood is cleared to play, it isn’t yet clear whether he would start for the Rockets, or if he might be limited to a smaller role off the bench.

Probable starting lineups

Houston Rockets

  • Guard: John Wall
  • Guard: James Harden
  • Forward: Eric Gordon
  • Forward: PJ Tucker
  • Center: DeMarcus Cousins

San Antonio Spurs

  • Guard: Dejounte Murray
  • Guard: DeMar DeRozan
  • Forward: Rudy Gay
  • Forward: LaMarcus Aldridge
  • Center: Jakob Poeltl

Though no fans will attend Thursday’s game, the Rockets still plan to have fans at limited capacity when the regular season opens on Dec. 23.

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Rockets center Christian Wood remains out with left elbow abrasion

“It’s just something light, an abrasion, nothing crazy,” Wood said. “Hopefully, I talked to the doctors, I could be back Thursday.”

Recent signing Christian Wood, who is expected to start at center for the Houston Rockets this season, remains temporarily sidelined with what the team is listing as “left elbow pain.”

The 6-foot-10 big man will not play in Tuesday night’s home preseason game versus San Antonio, which is the third of four exhibitions for the Rockets this month. However, Wood said after Monday’s practice that the injury wasn’t a big concern, and he hopes to play in Thursday’s finale.

“It’s just something light, an abrasion, nothing crazy,” Wood told reporters. “Hopefully, I talked to the doctors, I could be back Thursday.”

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas had said on Friday that he hoped Wood would be cleared by Monday’s practice, but he turned out to only be a partial participant. In his absence, DeMarcus Cousins is starting at center.

The 2020-21 regular season begins on Wednesday, Dec. 23, and neither Wood nor the team has signaled any concern that the 25-year-old’s availability could be in jeopardy. It isn’t clear when or how the minor injury occurred, with Wood noting that it was discovered overnight. Since Wood is right-handed, it’s fortunate that this is not his shooting elbow.

Wood averaged 13.1 points (56.7% FG) and 6.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game in Detroit last season. He’s stepping into an expanded role as a starter in Houston, and the Rockets are hopeful of his continued development alongside playmakers like James Harden and John Wall.

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PJ Tucker, Christian Wood to miss Rockets’ preseason games in Chicago

Tucker didn’t travel as part of a gradual ramp-up in his activity, while Wood is out with a sore elbow. The injury is considered minor.

Veteran forward PJ Tucker and newly acquired center Christian Wood did not travel with the Houston Rockets to Chicago for preseason games this weekend, head coach Stephen Silas said before Friday’s opener.

Wood is out with a sore elbow, though it’s believed to be a minor issue, and Silas said he anticipates Wood being able to play once the Rockets return to Houston for preseason games next Tuesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, Tucker had a slightly late arrival to training camp, which delayed his COVID-19 testing protocols. Silas said Friday that while Tucker has attended recent practices, he’s yet to actually go through one yet. Silas said the Rockets are in communication with Tucker, and he’s expected to practice with the team once they arrive back in Houston.

With Tucker, Wood, and James Harden all absent, the Rockets started John Wall, Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., Jae’Sean Tate, and DeMarcus Cousins against the Bulls in Friday’s opener.

Tucker posted Instagram stories earlier Friday of a workout with Harden, seemingly at Toyota Center in Houston. “The Beard” is not eligible to join group activities until the team returns from Chicago, owing to his own delayed camp arrival and extended testing protocols.

Reserve guard Sterling Brown has also been away from the Rockets due to testing protocols, though Silas said before Friday’s game that he had progressed to individual workouts. A timetable for Brown joining group activities has yet to be specified.

Assuming negative tests, Tucker and Harden could both join the Rockets on the practice court by Monday. The team will arrive back in Houston late Sunday night following a second game in Chicago.

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Four Houston Rockets listed in ESPN’s annual top 100 player rankings

James Harden, Christian Wood, PJ Tucker, and John Wall were among ESPN’s choices for the top 100 players entering the 2020-21 NBA season.

Four members of the Houston Rockets (James Harden, Christian Wood, PJ Tucker, and John Wall) were among ESPN’s choices for the top 100 players in the upcoming 2020-21 NBA season.

An All-Star guard and the MVP or an MVP finalist in each of the past four seasons, Harden came in at only No. 9 on the 2020-21 list. “The Beard” led the league with a 34.3 points per game average last season, along with 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds on a nightly basis.

While that ninth-place ranking certainly seems low given his usual production levels, it appears to reflect the uncertainty about Harden’s state of mind after an offseason trade request and potential questions about his effort level next season, should Harden stay in Houston.

Entering the 2019-20 season, Harden ranked fourth on ESPN’s list.

As for the rest of the Rockets, Wall checks in at No. 81 on ESPN’s list. While Wall is a five-time NBA All-Star, his relatively low ranking is largely due to questions about his health, since he hasn’t played since early in 2018-19 due to a series of heel and Achilles injuries. In theory, Wall could rank much higher on that list a year from now — if he’s healthy.

The same could hold true with Wood, a 25-year-old big man who ranks No. 55 after his breakout season with the Pistons last year. Following Detroit’s trade of starting center Andre Drummond, Wood took his production to another level with averages of 22.3 points (56.2% FG, 41.0% on 3-pointers) and 9.5 rebounds per game. Should that limited sample extrapolate to his new starting role in Houston, Wood could easily jump into the game’s 50 best players in the coming season.

Meanwhile, Tucker (No. 72) remains respected around the NBA for his defense, toughness and veteran leadership — and he actually rose 10 spots on the list from No. 82 entering last season. On the other hand, veteran Houston guard Eric Gordon fell from No. 78 a year ago to out of the list entirely after an injury plagued season in 2019-20.

ESPN’s complete top 100 players list can be accessed here.

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DeMarcus Cousins is ‘totally fine’ coming off bench in Houston

Houston hasn’t named a starter at center between Cousins and Christian Wood, but the four-time All-Star is fine with a sixth-man role.

The Houston Rockets have yet to formally name a starter at center between 25-year-old Christian Wood and 30-year-old DeMarcus Cousins.

The former burst onto the national scene last season with elite numbers after Detroit’s trade of Andre Drummond, while the latter brings more pedigree and experience as a four-time All-Star in previous years.

Despite Cousins’ lofty status, though, the veteran said Wednesday that he has no qualms with potentially coming off the bench with the Rockets. Here’s how he replied when asked about a potential sixth-man role:

I’m totally fine with it. I’m here to help C-Wood get better every single day. He’s been a sponge since he stepped in the building. You can’t ask for anything more, coming from a young player. He’s extremely talented, and I’m here to push him and get him better every single day.

If my name is called to start, I’ll come out and do my job. If my name is called to be the sixth man and come off the bench, I’ll do my job. My concern is to make sure everybody in this locker room is together and coming in ready to work every single day. Our identity is team-first. That’s what we’re preaching.

Given the investment cost of each player — Wood has a three-year, $41 million contract while Cousins is on a non-guaranteed deal at the NBA’s minimum salary, owing to recent injuries — it seems highly likely that Wood will get the starting nod. Nonetheless, the Rockets are certainly thrilled to hear the team-first mentality expressed by Cousins.

“It’s been good energy, good vibes here,” Cousins said of Houston’s start to training camp for the 2020-21 season under new head coach Stephen Silas. “It’s a joy to come into work every day.”

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Christian Wood: Silas will keep ‘same five-out offense’ for Rockets

“He said he is still keeping the same five-out offense,” Wood said. “That’s key, with my ability to shoot the ball. I think it’s perfect.”

With new centers Christian Wood and DeMarcus Cousins, the Houston Rockets will be much larger to start 2020-21 than they were at the end of last season — when there wasn’t a traditional big man in the rotation.

But that doesn’t mean that their style of play is likely to dramatically change. At his introductory press conference on Wednesday, Wood said he had spoken with new head coach Stephen Silas (replacing Mike D’Antoni), and Silas said the “same five-out offense” would be in place.

More specifically, here’s what Wood said regarding Silas:

I talked to Coach Silas already. Me and him have a relationship before, with me with the [Charlotte] Hornets when he was an assistant coach. He said he is still keeping the same five-out offense. That’s key, with my ability to shoot the ball. I think it’s perfect. It’s a great fit. And in pick-and-roll… we can do great things.

It’s just a style of play. I like to get out and run. I know the Houston Rockets like to get out and run. The way James [Harden] and other guys play around him, I think I can be a great fit.

Wood shot 38.6% on 3-pointers last season, and Cousins is a 33.2% shooter from 3-point range. With both big men capable shooters from distance, that should keep the floor sufficiently spaced to allow driving lanes for Houston’s All-Star guards (Harden and Russell Westbrook).

On the other end of the court, Wood believes he’s athletic enough to switch onto perimeter players — which has been a hallmark of Houston’s coverages in recent years — while also offering traditional “defensive big man” values, such as rim protection. Among his comments:

My ability to switch off on screens, switch onto a guard and being able to defend them, being able to block shots… I think my game brings that to the Houston Rockets.

An athletic 6-foot-10 big man with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Wood tallied 13.1 points (56.7% FG, 38.6% on 3-pointers) and 6.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game in Detroit last season. He is only 25 years old, which gives Houston — one of the NBA’s oldest teams last season — both a short-term frontcourt upgrade and a key building block for future years.

Perhaps the best part is Wood might not be done improving. After the Pistons traded starting center Andre Drummond in early February, Wood took advantage of a larger role by averaging 22.3 points (56.2% FG, 41.0% on 3-pointers) and 9.5 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game over the remaining 15 games of Detroit’s 2019-20 season. That’s the form Wood wants to hold, now that he’s joining forces with Harden and Westbrook.

“Confidence is a major factor in the NBA,” Wood said. “In the NBA, you have to… try to be better than everybody on the court. That’s just my thing. I bring my ability to space the floor. I can put the ball on the floor. I can drive with the best of them in the league. I can shoot with the best of them in the league. With James’ ability to be able to knock down shots and score at a high rate, I think I can be a good second option.”

Training camp for Wood and the rest of the 2020-21 Rockets begins next Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Toyota Center in downtown Houston.

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Christian Wood cites good relationship with Rockets star James Harden

New center Christian Wood spoke with Houston media members on Wednesday afternoon for the first time since joining the Rockets.

For many around the NBA, it may have come as a surprise to see young center Christian Wood commit to the Houston Rockets in free agency, given the team’s apparent lack of stability in recent weeks.

Longtime GM Daryl Morey and head coach Mike D’Antoni were replaced by Rafael Stone and Stephen Silas, respectively, with each beginning their first NBA stint in that lead position. Moreover, both members of the team’s All-Star backcourt of recent league MVPs — James Harden and Russell Westbrook — reportedly issued trade requests.

But inside of the building at Toyota Center, it may not be quite as concerning as it’s been portrayed by some outsiders in the media. At an introductory press conference on Wednesday, Wood told reporters that he already has a “good relationship” with Harden and believes he can do “great things” with Harden in the pick-and-roll game in Houston.

Among Wood’s comments:

I bring my ability to space the floor. I can put the ball on the floor. I can drive. I think I finish with the best of them in the league. I think I can shoot with the best of them in the league. With James’ ability to knock down shots and score at a high rate, I think I could be a good second option for them.

I played a few pickup games with James. I kind of got a good relationship with him. That’s about it. Also Ben McLemore.”

Having shot 38.6% from 3-point range last season, Wood should be effective for Harden and the Rockets in “pick and pop” scenarios, too.

An athletic 6-foot-10 big man with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, Wood averaged 13.1 points (56.7% FG, 38.6% on 3-pointers) and 6.3 rebounds in 21.4 minutes per game in Detroit last season. He is only 25 years old, which gives Houston — one of the NBA’s oldest teams last season — both a short-term frontcourt upgrade and a key building block for future years.

Perhaps the best part is that Wood might not be done improving. After the Pistons traded starting center Andre Drummond in early February, Wood took advantage of a larger role by averaging 22.3 points (56.2% FG, 41.0% on 3-pointers) and 9.5 rebounds in 34.1 minutes per game over the remaining 15 games of Detroit’s 2019-20 season. That’s the form Wood wants to hold, now that he’s joining forces with Harden and Westbrook.

As for recent drama involving the alleged trade requests by those stars, Wood said it was “no concern” to him in his decision to join Houston.

“I’m appreciative and happy to be a part of the Houston Rockets,” Wood said on Wednesday afternoon. “Rafael Stone has done a great job of bringing me in, and I’m excited to join the organization.”

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