Tag: Garrison Mathews

Podcast: Why Rafael Stone and Tilman Fertitta were trade deadline winners

With Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving leaving Brooklyn and Eric Gordon traded for first-round value, the 2023 NBA trade deadline was a successful one for #Rockets management.

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline came and went, and major changes came with it for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.

Veteran guard Eric Gordon is finally with a contender (the Los Angeles Clippers). Reserves Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando are out the door as well (Atlanta). For general manager Rafael Stone, both deals were made with draft capital in mind.

Sunday’s episode of “The Lager Line” (sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing) explains why Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta deserve praise for what became a successful week for the franchise in its ongoing rebuilding efforts.

The show, hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves, also explores the ripple effects of Kevin Durant’s Brooklyn departure and whether it should make the Rockets more or less likely to hold those first-round draft assets from the Nets, which last through the 2027 cycle.

Sunday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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Rockets GM Rafael Stone explains Houston’s trade deadline moves

In Friday’s press conference, #Rockets GM Rafael Stone shared his perspective on Houston’s trade deadline moves (Eric Gordon) and what comes next for the 2022-23 roster and beyond.

In Friday’s press conference, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone shared his perspective on Houston’s trade deadline moves — headlined by a deal sending Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers — and insight on what comes next for the 2022-23 roster and beyond.

Will newly acquired veterans like Danny Green, Justin Holiday, and Frank Kaminsky be sticking around? Stone made it clear Friday that Houston is at least open to the idea, though additional conversations will be had with each of those players to determine the right fit.

None of the players acquired by the Rockets has a salary beyond the 2022-23 season, so Houston’s plan to create significant salary cap space in the 2023 offseason remains very much intact.

The rebuilding Rockets also bolstered their stockpile of future draft assets through Thursday’s deadline dealings, both with a 2023 first-round pick swap obtained in the Gordon trade and a pair of future second-round picks (Oklahoma City’s in 2024, 2025) acquired in the deal sending Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando to Atlanta.

From a GM’s perspective, here’s insight from Stone on how and why those deals went down at the deadline, along with his plan moving forward as Houston attempts to climb back to NBA relevancy.

Podcast: Rockets trade deadline reaction and Eric Gordon’s legacy in Houston

Today’s podcast with @JTGatlin and @BenDuBose features #Rockets trade reaction, with insight on a long-awaited Eric Gordon deal and why it was a win for Rafael Stone and Tilman Fertitta.

The 2022-23 NBA trade deadline is in the books, and major changes came with it for the young and rebuilding Houston Rockets.

Veteran guard Eric Gordon is finally on his way to a contender (the Los Angeles Clippers), while reserves Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando are out the door, as well (to Atlanta). For general manager Rafael Stone, both deals were made with future draft capital in mind.

Led by credentialed media members Jackson Gatlin and Ben DuBose, today’s “Locked on Rockets” podcast explains why this deadline should be viewed as a win for Stone and owner Tilman Fertitta.

Discussion topics include the team’s thought process behind all of its deadline dealings; Gordon’s legacy in Houston after spending nearly seven years with the franchise; what rotation changes are likely now that Gordon, Mathews, and Fernando are no longer with the Rockets; and the ripple effects from Brooklyn trading Kevin Durant.

Thursday’s “Locked on Rockets” episode can be listened to via Apple, Google, Spotify, Stitcher, and nearly all major podcast distributors. It can also be watched on YouTube below.

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Rockets trade Garrison Mathews, Bruno Fernando to Atlanta for second-round draft picks

By trading Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando to Atlanta and taking on larger salary, the #Rockets acquired Oklahoma City’s second-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025.

On the same day they traded veteran guard Eric Gordon to the Los Angeles Clippers for draft capital, the Houston Rockets also traded a pair of sparingly used reserves to Atlanta for draft capital.

In a trade made by the Hawks for financial reasons, the Hawks are sending veteran wing Justin Holiday and big man Frank Kaminsky to the Rockets for Garrison Mathews and Bruno Fernando.

Neither Holiday nor Kaminsky has a contract for the 2023-24 season, so the move does not impact Houston’s salary cap room this offseason. However, their combined 2022-23 salary is larger than Mathews and Fernando, which was the incentive for Atlanta to do the deal.

In exchange for taking on the larger salaries and helping reduce Atlanta’s luxury-tax figure, the Rockets are receiving Oklahoma City’s second-round draft picks in 2024 and 2025. Both were owned by Atlanta due to a previous trade involving the Hawks and Thunder.

Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, the minutes that had previously gone to Fernando and Mathews are now likely to go to second-year prospects Usman Garuba and Josh Christopher. Neither player acquired from the Hawks appears likely to have a large role.

Here’s a look at immediate reaction to the deal.

Coach Silas’ fierce message helps Rockets break 13-game losing streak

“If those expectations aren’t met, then the players need to know, and I let them know,” Stephen Silas says of his message to the #Rockets prior to Monday’s win.

HOUSTON — During Monday’s shootaround, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas noticed his team was going through the motions.

It seemed as if they were there only because they had to be. Even though they were preparing to play the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that had embarrassed them 48 hours prior, extending their losing streak to a season-high 13 games, the young Rockets team looked lethargic and uninterested.

Coach Silas had seen enough and let his team know he was not pleased with what was happening. He needed them to understand that the way they were approaching their upcoming game would get them beaten again by the Timberwolves in back-to-back games. He did it with a tone that immediately got the players’ attention.

“When it comes to the coaching part, the teaching part, and having expectations, if those expectations aren’t met, then the players need to know, and I let them know yesterday,” Silas said after Tuesday’s practice. “It (his speech) was about the importance of preparations, the importance of focus, it was about professionalism, and what it takes to build winning habits.”

The young Rockets players received the message loud and clear. They broke their losing streak by defeating Minnesota 119-114. Second-year guard Jalen Green had a career-high 42 points and attributed Silas’ passionate early morning speech as his motivation.

“Today in shootaround, coach got on us,” said Green during his postgame press conference. “For not having our mind during shootaround.”

It is a side that most fans don’t see or hear about often when it comes to Silas and his coaching practices. He mostly keeps a very calm and positive demeanor when in front of the media, but he is known to dig into his team when he sees they are not as attentive and as competitive as he knows they could be.

Reserve guard Garrison Mathews knew precisely where his head coach was headed on Monday when he and his teammates heard the tone in his voice change.

“We were on a 13-game losing streak. Any coach would be upset about that,” Mathews said Tuesday. “Especially when you come into shootaround the way we did. Being lackadaisical and not in tune with what we were doing. Any coach would be upset. We did exactly what he said. He lit a fire under us, and we came out and showed it last night. When coach gets into you like that, people listen.”

Houston is back in action Wednesday night versus Washington at Toyota Center. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. Central, with a game broadcast on AT&T SportsNet Southwest and NBA League Pass.

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Jalen Green, Jae’Sean Tate suspended by NBA for leaving Rockets’ bench

Jalen Green and Jae’Sean Tate briefly left the Rockets bench during Friday’s altercation in Sacramento, and that earned both an automatic suspension for the next game.

Second-year Rockets guard Jalen Green and third-year forward Jae’Sean Tate briefly left Houston’s bench during Friday’s altercation in Sacramento, which led to both being suspended for a game.

The NBA league office made the announcement early Sunday, which means that the Rockets will be short-handed later in the day when they visit the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena.

While neither Green nor Tate was deemed an instigator, the league’s policy automatically suspends any player who leaves the bench in an altercation. The intent is to reduce the odds of a greater conflict.

The scuffle occurred in Friday’s fourth quarter, and it primarily involved Houston’s Garrison Mathews and Sacramento’s Malik Monk. Rockets forward Tari Eason and Kings big man Chimezie Metu were also ejected, with officials ruling that Eason was an instigator.

Eason, however, was playing in the game at the time, which means he wasn’t subject to the automatic suspension rule. Green and Tate weren’t in the game, which made them subject to the policy.

Eason did receive a $30,000 fine from the NBA for escalating the altercation and making inadvertent contact with a game official as part of the activity in Sacramento. Mathews was fined $35,000 for initiating the altercation and taunting Monk, while Monk was fined $25,000 for continuing the altercation and taunting Mathews.

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3 wing players Sixers should target before February trade deadline

Here are three wing players the Philadelphia 76ers should target before the Feb. 9 trade deadline.

The Philadelphia 76ers are likely to focus on smaller deals to shed salary before the Feb. 9 trade deadline. However, they still have their eyes on a title for the 2022-23 season. Therefore, they will likely look into deals to add depth to the roster.

The Sixers are loaded with talent, but adding one more wing who can play in the postseason would help the team’s overall depth. Especially, since James Harden and Tyrese Maxey have already missed significant time with injuries.

Three wing players who fit what the Sixers want to do come to mind:

Takeaways: Alperen Sengun records first triple-double as Rockets’ skid continues

In Wednesday’s loss at Sacramento, Alperen Sengun made history with the first triple-double of his young NBA career while becoming the youngest player in #Rockets history to do so.

The losing streak for the young Houston Rockets (10-31) is a season-high eight games after Wednesday’s 135-115 loss at Sacramento (box score).

With the first triple-double of his NBA career, second-year center Alperen Sengun became the youngest player in franchise history to record the feat.

Sacramento outscored Houston in the fourth quarter, 41-20, to break open what had been a very competitive game. Kevin Porter Jr. left the game in the first half with a left foot contusion and his prognosis was not immediately clear.

Led by De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, the improving Kings (22-18) have won five of their last eight games as they seek to earn their first berth in the Western Conference playoffs since 2006 — a run of futility that leads the NBA over that span.

Sabonis led the Kings with 25 points (75% FG), 14 rebounds and 9 assists, while Fox tallied 24 points, 9 assists and 1 turnover on 9-of-18 shooting (50%), including 2-of-4 on 3-pointers (50%).

Key statistics for the Rockets in Wednesday’s game included:

  • Jalen Green: 26 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 turnovers, 9-of-25 shooting (36.0%), 3-of-12 on 3-pointers (25.0%), 5-of-7 on free throws (71.4%)
  • Alperen Sengun: 10 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, 5-of-9 shooting (55.6%)
  • KJ Martin: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 9-of-13 shooting (69.2%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Eric Gordon: 19 points, 6-of-12 shooting (50.0%), 3-of-7 on 3-pointers (42.9%)
  • Garrison Mathews: 12 points, 4-of-6 on 3-pointers (66.7%)

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interview reaction. Next up for Houston, as its four-game West Coast road trip continues, is Friday’s rematch in Sacramento. Tipoff is at 9 p.m. Central.

What Jae’Sean Tate returning means for Rockets’ rotation minutes

In the short-term, it appears Jae’Sean Tate’s return to the #Rockets will cut into the playing time of TyTy Washington and Garrison Mathews.

Though the young Houston Rockets (10-29) have lost 11 of 12 games and own the Western Conference’s worst record, widespread injuries aren’t a big reason. Excluding Jae’Sean Tate, no other rotation player has missed more than seven games due to illness or injury.

So, when Houston’s burly, defensive minded forward returned Thursday from his multi-month absence with a right ankle injury, something had to give for head coach Stephen Silas.

Though Tate is technically a forward, he’s an adept passer and facilitator, and that allowed Silas to play without a backup point guard. Rookie TyTy Washington, who had averaged 11.9 minutes over Houston’s previous 11 games, did not play. Another casualty was reserve wing Garrison Mathews, who has averaged 12.8 minutes per game this season but played only four in Tate’s return game.

It’s also worth noting that Tate, who came off the bench, took the usual role of rookie starter Jabari Smith Jr. in Houston’s attempt at a closing lineup. The other four starters — Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green, Eric Gordon and Alperen Sengun — were on the court with Tate.

Moving forward, however, Smith’s abbreviated minutes total (20) and his late bench stint is likely an anomaly, since he was in both early foul trouble and scored just 3 points on 1-of-5 shooting (20.0%). For developmental reasons, and in a rebuilding season, it’s hard to envision the Rockets playing their No. 3 overall draft pick from the 2022 first round such limited minutes on a regular basis.

Silas also made a change to Houston’s center rotation by not playing Bruno Fernando. But that didn’t appear to be directly related to Tate, since the Rockets had either Sengun or Usman Garuba on the court at all times. Rather, that looked to be a decision to stick with two centers instead of three and/or perhaps to reward Sengun for his strong play (20 points, 14 rebounds in 32 minutes) with more playing time.

In the end, Tate played just over 19 minutes as part of a minutes limitation due to his long layoff. For now, Silas can largely find those types of minutes by benching the likes of Washington and Mathews.

But if the Rockets want to scale up Tate’s minutes, more cuts will need to be made elsewhere — or perhaps a deadline trade of veteran guard Eric Gordon could do the trick. Such a move could also free up minutes for Washington and Mathews again. Stay tuned!

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‘Garry Bird is back’: Rockets reap benefits as Garrison Mathews breaks out

Jalen Green to @BigSargeSportz on Garrison Mathews: “Garry Bird is back! I told him, ‘Welcome back.’ We missed him for a while. … Every time he comes in, he is going to be gritty.”

HOUSTON — Life in the NBA can be the equivalent of being on a roller coaster. One minute you ascend to the top, and the next, you descend at full speed. That process repeats throughout the player’s career until he leaves the game.

For Rockets reserve shooting guard Garrison Mathews, he must feel like he is on the Superman: Escape from Krypton at Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia, California.

Last season, the fans nicknamed Mathews “Garry Bird” — yes, after former Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird — because of his volume 3-point shooting. He was a wild card for the Rockets, averaging 26.3 minutes per game, and had a toughness about him that made him a rotation constant for head coach Stephen Silas.

One could imagine that the rise to the top of the rollercoaster ride for Mathews in 2021 put a smile on his face. But everyone knows that what goes up must come down, and maybe the third-year veteran was not prepared for the descending of that ride.

Mathews has seen his playing time decrease tremendously this season, averaging 12.8 minutes in the first 18 games. He did not see the court for three games, as Silas Silas decided to spread his minutes out to other role players.

Yet, Mathews has stayed positive throughout the process, and when he was called upon on Friday versus the Hawks, he was ready. With Eric Gordon out to rest on the front end of a back-to-back, Mathews was effective in the 22-plus minutes he played, scoring 20 points in the Rockets’ 128-122 victory over Atlanta. He hit 3-of-5 from 3-point range (60.0%) and made all nine of his free-throw attempts.

“It’s not easy,” Mathews replied when asked about staying mentally prepared during a lack of playing time. “The coaches do a great job of trying to keep you ready by getting shots and playing on the side. It is not easy, but I was just fortunate to play well tonight.”

Houston looked lethargic in the second and third quarters and trailed Atlanta by as much as 16 points with just under seven minutes left in the third quarter. At the time, it looked like it would stay that way, as both teams had multiple players receive technical fouls.

Making matters worse for the Rockets, Jalen Green picked up his fifth personal foul and had to sit down for the remainder of the quarter as the Hawks took a 10-point lead heading into the final period.

Atlanta head coach Nate McMillan had to feel comfortable with the Green on the bench and a comfortable double-digit lead. He could never have imagined what was about to happen next, which is why he had a perplexed look on his face as Mathews took over in the fourth quarter — scoring 11 of Houston’s 34 points to secure the win.

“Garry Bird is back,” Green told reporters postgame. “I told him ‘Welcome back,’ and we missed him for a while. That is all a part of the game. He is still the same player. I think it is really great that he kept his mind and was mentally in the game. He just came out and performed. That is something that he does every game. Every time he comes in, he is going to be gritty.”

Mathews’ performance against the Hawks could signify that the roller coaster may be on the ascent, once again.

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