Tag: Houston Rockets Training Camp

Rockets leaning on Eric Gordon as both leader and important player

Eric Gordon continues to serve as a key veteran leader for the Rockets, but he carries significant value as a player, too. “Everyone has a good attitude, and the positivity is there,” Gordon says.

LAKE CHARLES, La. — As rookie TyTy Washington made his way up the left side of the court with the basketball, the rest of his teammates — including Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Eric Gordon, and Jae’Sean Tate — were waiting on Washington to make his move to get the offense started. Along with Green and Smith, he overloaded one side as Tate and Gordon made their way to the opposite.

Washington drove toward the baseline and kicked the ball to Tate. Without hesitation, he passed it to a wide-open Gordon, who hoisted the shot, without delay, over Josh Christopher’s outstretched arms.

The result went as Gordon, his teammates, and the Houston coaching staff all expected. Swoosh.

The 14-year NBA veteran then sprinted back down the court with a stoic look and a “business as usual” vibe.

Gordon, 33, knows his presence and leadership will be needed this year with the surplus of young talent the Rockets have.

“It is going to be a day-to-day, month-to-month, year-in, year-out process,” Gordon said about helping his youthful teammates navigate through the NBA season. “When you have a young team, guys are always trying to establish themselves in this league, and we have to establish ourselves as a team to grow. Everybody is still finding each other. Everyone has a good attitude, and the positivity is there.”

What his young teammates lack in experience, they make up for in talent. That’s something that stands out to Gordon, who played with four players last season under the age of 21 and now has three more teammates, Smith, Washington and Tari Eason, who are the same.

“We do have some really athletic guys,” said Gordon. “This is definitely one of the more athletic younger teams that I have seen or been around. Tari (Eason) adds that. TyTy (Washington) has sneaky athleticism, and Jabari (Smith) already has length and size. We just have to use it and use it collectively together, and we will be OK.”

Rockets head coach Stephen Silas loves what Gordon brings in leadership, but he also recognizes he is still an excellent player on the court. Last season, Gordon averaged 13.4 points (47.5% FG, 41.2% on 3-pointers) and 2.7 assists in 29.3 minutes per game.

“When he turns the corner, he’s got those big shoulders and he finishes and everybody’s like, ‘There’s Eric,’” Silas said at training camp. “If he’s defending the post, he’s like, ‘I don’t need any help.’’ Or on the perimeter, ‘I don’t need any help.’ But there are things that guys are like, ‘That’s just what he does.’”

Gordon will probably be limited in minutes when the Rockets open their preseason on Sunday versus San Antonio at Toyota Center. Silas has yet to tip his hand on whether Gordon or Tate will be the fifth starter surrounding Green, Porter, Smith and Alperen Sengun.

[lawrence-related id=105392,105362]

[mm-video type=video id=01gdhavn0z5941rqddc9 playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdhavn0z5941rqddc9/01gdhavn0z5941rqddc9-be75fa1cb0d01d7b25dc32937cff2d6a.jpg]

[listicle id=105371]

Rockets working on new offensive sets to best utilize Alperen Sengun

“We are starting five-out, and then we are going into four-out and one-in,” Stephen Silas of Houston’s new-look offense, which aims to best utilize Alperen Sengun. “That is new for us.”

LAKE CHARLES, La. — The Rockets concluded their three-day training camp session on Thursday at the Legacy Center at McNeese State University and are headed back to Houston to prepare for their first preseason game on Sunday versus San Antonio.

One of the main focuses for head coach Stephen Silas was to implement a new offensive scheme that would help benefit rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr. and second-year center Alperen Sengun.

With Smith’s ability to space the floor with his shooting and Sengun’s low-post presence, Silas is looking for a way to utilize and enhance both players’ skills in the frontcourt.

“We are starting five-out and then we are going into four-out and one-in,” Silas told reporters after practice. “That is new for us. Getting to those spots are new to us, so we are doing a lot of drilling (teaching) along those lines.”

The departure of sharpshooting big man Christian Wood, who was traded in the offseason to Dallas, allows Sengun to be inserted into the starting lineup. His unique skillset as a physical post presence and a strong passer will let the Rockets do different things on offense.

“I want him to roll on the pick-and-roll, and I want us to look for him when he rolls,” Silas said when asked about using Sengun in the new scheme. “He is such a good playmaker and being static when we are making plays, when he is making plays, isn’t great for our offense.”

“So, if he rolls and we can hit him on the short roll, and now he is attacking the rim or making a play for a teammate, or those look to the corner pass to the wing,” Silas added. “That is what we are trying to get him to do.”

Sengun followed in the footsteps of teammates Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green by playing some of his best basketball during a seven-game stretch to finish his rookie season, which occurred with Wood on the sidelines. The 20-year-old averaged 13.8 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game and shot 49% overall in that run, including back-to-back games with double digits in points and rebounds.

Having Sengun on the floor has proven very helpful, as he has excellent court vision, and the offense can be run through him once he pops to the top of the key. One focal point for Silas is to ensure that teammates continue to move when he has the ball in his hands.

“I don’t want him catching and everyone else standing around watching,” Silas said. “His basketball instincts are so good that him standing still takes away one of the advantages he has, as far as catching and making a play.”

[lawrence-related id=105347,105317]

[mm-video type=video id=01gdhbdyzv2767zc4rcw playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gdhbdyzv2767zc4rcw/01gdhbdyzv2767zc4rcw-a1db259bcff52c05bacc39fa339d0c05.jpg]

[listicle id=105125]

Jalen Green finding rhythm as his second Rockets season begins

Jalen Green on his start to #Rockets training camp: “I feel like I’ve learned a lot more over the summer and worked a lot on my game to progress and stack days coming into the season.”

LAKE CHARLES, La. – With both knees iced after a rigorous second day of Rockets training camp, shooting guard Jalen Green stood on the sidelines waiting on his cue from a member of Houston’s communications staff to let him know it was time to interview.

During that brief wait, the McNeese State University men’s basketball team was taking the floor, warming up for practice.

As the second-year prospect watched players take some shots, you could hear him speaking to himself as he observed players that he might have competed against, had he opted to play college basketball.

“That’s flat,” Green said to himself. “Gotta get up more on that jump shot.”

Green, 20, probably was repeating something he heard during the numerous hours of shooting drills done with assistant coach John Lucas after practice. He is so dialed in to taking his game to another level and making Houston successful that he marvels at the opportunity given him at such a young age.

“Carry my team to more wins than last year, and hopefully be an All-Star,” said Green during Rockets media day about some of his personal goals he wants to achieve this year.

As he spoke to the media on Tuesday, Green had the same energy and enthusiasm from last season that landed him a spot on the 2021 All-Rookie first team.

“I feel great,” Green told reporters. “I’m ready to start the season. I’m excited to get back. I feel like I’ve learned a lot more over the summer and worked a lot on my game to progress and stack days coming into the season.”

“Just getting the rhythm and finding what is going to work and not going to work within the starting five,” Green said. “From the first day (training camp) we didn’t play so much, to today we were playing a lot more and we just found rhythm.”

Much has been made about how Green, who was selected with the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NBA draft, changed after last season’s All-Star break. He elevated his game, averaging 26.1 points per game while shooting 41% from 3-point range in his last 10 games of the season.

He also scored 25 or more points in seven of those games, including a season-high 41-points versus Atlanta to close the season.

Green attributes some of his second-half success to backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr., who also elevated his game during the final seven-game of the season. The tandem gave the Rockets fans and coaching staff a glimpse of what they could potentially become in the future. Yet, Green doesn’t feel the need to rush the process.

“I wouldn’t say that it is a sense of urgency,” Green said when asked about picking up where they left off. “We all want everyone to win on the team and we want everyone to be comfortable and happy. We feed off of each other’s energy, too, so it just makes it a lot easier.”

[pickup_prop id=”24934″]

Green and the rest of the Rockets have one more day of training camp before heading back to Houston for their first preseason practice on Saturday and a game on Sunday against San Antonio.

[lawrence-related id=105317,105320]

[mm-video type=video id=01g0jbtvr0vdqhf34ark playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g0jbtvr0vdqhf34ark/01g0jbtvr0vdqhf34ark-30f15e275494b9af4983425fe216cd0a.jpg]

[listicle id=105125]

As training camp begins, Rockets look to set tone, establish culture

Stephen Silas said Day 1 of #Rockets training camp was the best he’s seen during all his years in the NBA. What did it entail? “Setting a tone, establishing a culture, and a lot of teaching.”

LAKE CHARLES, La. – One look at the majority of players on the Legacy Center court at McNeese State University, and you might believe they were in their junior or senior years of college and preparing for the upcoming season of NCAA basketball.

Yet, these young men were not preparing for battle in the Southland Conference; they were preparing for their first preseason game on Sunday versus the San Antonio Spurs.

The Houston Rockets, who have 10 players on their roster who are 22 years old or younger, held their first day of training camp in Lake Charles. According to head coach Stephen Silas, it was a very successful day.

“I’ve been around a lot of Day 1s in my 20-whatever year career, and this is the best one I’ve ever seen,” Silas said in a team huddle.

Silas, who is entering his third year as the Rockets’ head coach, was also impressed with how his team responded to him and his staff regarding different aspects of practice.

“Setting a tone, establishing a culture, and a lot of teaching,” Silas said when asked about the first day of camp. “It was about having a great first day and having that lead to a great second day. It is going to be a day-by-day thing for us, and we finished Day 1.”

Rookie guard TyTy Washington was happy to get on the court with the players he will compete with this season after playing in the NBA summer league in Las Vegas just two months ago.

“It was good, I liked it,” Washington told reporters. “It is a dream come true for me. It is our first real practice. I am really excited to be with the whole team, grinding and going out there competing. After we broke practice down and finished our conditioning test, I was like ‘It is about that time.’”

Washington also emphasized how playing against rookies and veterans this summer helped him prepare for his first day of camp.

“It helped a whole bunch,” Washington said. “Summer league built my confidence going through the whole process and leading up to this point. I feel really comfortable where I am at and how I am doing.”

The Rockets will practice again on Wednesday in Lake Charles.

[lawrence-related id=105301,105228]

[mm-video type=video id=01gct3h30q38jx13k18p playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gct3h30q38jx13k18p/01gct3h30q38jx13k18p-d4194e59fbbe376cd1ee9881421b8867.jpg]

[listicle id=105125]

Even as rookie, Jabari Smith Jr. embracing vocal leadership role for Rockets

“No matter how old you are… you can still make an impact with your voice,” Rockets rookie Jabari Smith Jr. says. “Just being a leader. I feel like it has always been in me.”

LAKE CHARLES, La. – As media members walked into the hallway of the Legacy Center at McNeese State University, a loud voice bellowed out above the on-court chatter and squeaking shoes that moved along the gymnasium floor.

“I thought this was the NBA, we damn sure ain’t playing like it,” said the 6-foot-11 player patrolling the lane on defense.

That voice was none other than the Houston Rockets’ No. 3 pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, Jabari Smith Jr.

Typically, rookies take their time to get settled in, giving way to veterans on the team. Most of the time, they would rather be seen and not heard going through training camp. But Smith is not your typical rookie, and he is not one to keep his mouth shut when it comes to helping his teammates be successful.

“I feel like it has always been in me,” Smith said when asked about being a vocal leader on the court. “Even in college, I was one of the youngest players on my team, and I am the youngest player on this team. People are always preaching to me that no matter how old you are that you can still make an impact with your voice. Just being a leader. We are all at the same level, and we respect each other.”

[pickup_prop id=”25697″]

Smith, 19, is looking to gain respect from other players around the NBA when he steps on the court this season. The former SEC Freshman of the Year out of Auburn University knows he will have some highs and lows in the beginning, but he should be able to work through those as the season progresses.

Key aspects of his game that will help Smith acclimate to the NBA are his ability to shoot and his defensive presence, which is one thing he takes pride in. Smith believes his skillset will blend and mesh with his other teammates, especially forward Jae’Sean Tate.

“I feel like our communication is good right now, but it can be on a whole other level,” Smith said after practice. “I feel that we can be one of the best defensive teams in the league, and I feel like our communication has to go to another level for us to get to that.”

[lawrence-related id=105301,105218]

[mm-video type=video id=01gbtdk6qr4z8htkyt8r playlist_id=none player_id=none image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gbtdk6qr4z8htkyt8r/01gbtdk6qr4z8htkyt8r-af45e8f0e16165c71d35d63e6e65d621.jpg]

[listicle id=105248]

Rockets officially announce 2022-23 training camp roster

With 2022-23 training camp starting Tuesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the Houston Rockets announced their official roster.

With 2022-23 training camp starting Tuesday at McNeese State University’s Legacy Center in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the Houston Rockets announced their official roster for the new season.

Practices will continue throughout the week before preseason play begins with a home opener on Sunday, Oct. 2 versus San Antonio.

The roster is at its offseason maximum of 20 players. But prior to the Oct. 19 start of Houston’s regular season, the Rockets must trim the roster to 15 players plus two two-way contracts.

Earlier reports stated the three players acquired from Dallas in the Christian Wood trade in June — Marquese Chriss, Trey Burke, and Sterling Brown, who were largely acquired for salary matching purposes — were not in Houston’s plans this season. However, all three are part of the initial camp roster. Potential salary matching in another trade(s) is one plausible reason, since any new player signed to those spots would not be trade eligible until midseason.

Whenever cuts are made, those three could be the starting point. For now, here’s what the roster looks like.

[lawrence-related id=105083,105071]

[listicle id=104364]