Tag: Jock Landale

With Alperen Sengun out, Jabari Smith Jr., Jock Landale stepping up in frontcourt for Rockets

The Rockets haven’t lost a game since Alperen Sengun’s injury, and improved play from Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale is a big reason for it.

With star center Alperen Sengun likely out for the remainder of the NBA’s 2023-24 regular season, the Houston Rockets found themselves thin in the frontcourt when it comes to traditional big men.

While rookie Amen Thompson has filled in capably in the starting lineup, the athletic rookie certainly isn’t a post presence.

Enter Jabari Smith Jr. and Jock Landale. Smith moved from power forward to center after Sengun’s injury, and Landale has taken on a bigger role in matchups where Houston needs rim protection (and to help fill some of Thompson’s vacated bench minutes).

Landale had a career-high 7 blocks in Tuesday’s blowout victory at Washington, while Smith finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds while shooting 7-of-13 from the field (53.8%).

“It was great,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said of Landale’s career night as a shot blocker. “We acknowledged him in the locker room, about that. He was part of the unit that really got us going, from an energy standpoint. Meeting guys at the rim, making the right plays in there, and deterring shots, even if he didn’t block it.”

In four games since losing Sengun to injury, which have all been won by the Rockets, the frontcourt duo is averaging:

  • Smith: 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds; 55.3% FG, 42.1% on 3-pointers in 30.5 minutes
  • Landale: 10.0 points (64.0% FG), 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 2.0 assists in 22.5 minutes

To say the least, both sets of numbers are significantly ahead of each player’s averages for the season to date. Houston’s perfect record during these four games is obviously ahead of its usual clip, as well.

“He quietly went about his business,” Udoka said of Smith following Tuesday’s impressive road victory over the Wizards. “Four offensive rebounds, and there’s all the things he does besides switching and guarding some bigs. I thought he was really good.”

With four straight road victories, six consecutive overall wins, and an 8-1 record in March, Udoka and the Rockets will now look to keep that momentum rolling when they return to Houston (33-35) for a three-game homestand — starting Thursday night at Toyota Center. Tipoff versus the Bulls (34-35) is at 7:00 p.m. Central.

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Jalen Green soars to first career triple-double as Hawks clip short-handed Rockets

Jalen Green (26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists) had his first career triple-double, but Houston’s short-handed squad couldn’t complete a rally in Atlanta.

In the finale of a frustrating four-game road trip, the short-handed Rockets led by 12 after the first quarter before running out of steam in Saturday’s 122-113 loss (box score) at Atlanta. Dejounte Murray returned from a two-game injury absence and led the Hawks (24-29) with an efficient 34 points, including 12-of-15 on free throws (80%).

As their Western Conference play-in tournament odds continue to fade, the Rockets (23-29) suffered their first four-game losing streak and are 5-20 away from home all season. In a familiar development, Houston’s late comeback bid couldn’t get over the hump despite closing the gap to five points with just over a minute left.

The Rockets, who were on the second night of a road back-to-back after losing Friday in Toronto, were down four key players due to injury: Alperen Sengun (lower back pain), Fred VanVleet (left adductor strain), Tari Eason (left lower leg injury management) and Cam Whitmore (right ankle sprain). The status of those players for the next game, Monday at home versus New York, is not clear.

Given those absences, several of the remaining Rockets stepped into larger roles and fared well offensively. Standouts included:

  • Jalen Green: 26 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 5 turnovers; 10-of-22 shooting (45.5%), 2-of-9 on 3-pointers (22.2%)
  • Jeff Green: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 5 turnovers; 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), 4-of-7 on 3-pointers (57.1%)
  • Amen Thompson: 12 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals; 6-of-10 shooting (60%)
  • Dillon Brooks: 14 points; 5-of-19 shooting (26.3%), 2-of-10 on 3-pointers (20%)
  • Jabari Smith Jr.: 9 points, 11 rebounds, 5 blocks, 4 steals; 4-of-15 shooting (26.7%), 1-of-7 on 3-pointers (14.3%)
  • Aaron Holiday: 18 points, 2 assists in 22 minutes; 7-of-10 shooting, 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%)
  • Jock Landale: Season-high 9 rebounds in 13 minutes

However, Houston often struggled to get defensive stops versus Murray and Trae Young’s high-octane Hawks. After holding Atlanta to 19 points in the first quarter, the Rockets lost intensity as the game progressed, allowing 38 points in each of the next two quarters.

Here’s our look at Saturday’s highlights and postgame interviews from Atlanta, along with reaction by media members and fans. With the road trip complete, next up for the Rockets is Monday’s game versus the Knicks (33-19), with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Report: Rockets could target backup center by February trade deadline

“Houston could look to make an upgrade in their frontcourt behind Alperen Şengun,” Yahoo’s @JakeLFischer says of a potential #Rockets trade.

With offseason signing Jock Landale unable to secure a rotation spot under head coach Ime Udoka, the Houston Rockets are frequently running 37-year-old forward Jeff Green as the backup center behind Alperen Sengun.

Between Green’s age and an obvious lack of height and bulk, many have wondered if it’s a season-long solution. If Rockets general manager Rafael Stone has his way leading up to the in-season trade deadline of the NBA’s 2023-24 campaign in early February, there will soon be another alternative.

Per Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports:

Houston could look to make an upgrade in their frontcourt behind Alperen Şengün, sources said, after free-agent signee Jock Landale hasn’t become a fixture in head coach Ime Udoka’s rotation.

Fischer didn’t cite a specific Rockets target in his story, which was published Friday. However, he mentioned Atlanta big man Clint Capela, who spent several seasons with Houston in the 2010s, as being among the leading candidates to be on the move. Another option could be Washington’s Daniel Gafford, Fischer writes.

Gafford, 25, is averaging 10.8 points (69.2% FG) and 7.7 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game, while Capela, 29, is averaging 11.8 points (58.3% FG) and 10.7 rebounds in 25.8 minutes.

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Report: As NBA trade season nears, Rockets aren’t interested in deal for Chicago’s Zach LaVine

Shooting guard has been a position of inconsistency for the Rockets, but Chicago’s Zach LaVine won’t be a trade target, per HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

Between Jock Landale, Victor Oladipo, Jeff Green, and Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets general manager Rafael Stone will have tradable salary to make the math work on potential deals in the weeks leading up to the February 2024 trade deadline for this season.

The Rockets (8-8) are off to a better-than-expected start to the 2023-24 campaign, and that’s despite inconsistency at shooting guard from Jalen Green and the unexpected loss of Kevin Porter Jr. just prior to the season (owing to his off-court arrest).

So, if Houston seeks an upgrade to bolster a playoff push, it would stand to reason that shooting guard could be a position of interest. But one player who won’t be a target, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, is seemingly disgruntled Chicago Bulls star Zach LaVine.

From Scotto’s trade season preview, which includes information sourced from 15 NBA executives and league sources:

Looking ahead to the trade deadline, Houston will look to continue upgrading its roster with the tradeable contracts of Victor Oladipo, Jock Landale, Jeff Green, and future draft pick(s) compensation, league sources told HoopsHype.

Oladipo is on an expiring $9.45 million deal, Landale is owed $8 million this season and includes no guaranteed money next season, and Green is owed $9.6 million this season and has a team option and a non-guaranteed clause in his contract for next season, per our Rockets salaries page.

While Zach LaVine is one of the top names on the market, the Rockets are not in on his sweepstakes, HoopsHype has learned.

It’s also worth noting that over the past few seasons Jae’Sean Tate has also drawn exploratory trade interest from several playoff-caliber teams, league sources told HoopsHype.

Lastly, before signing with Houston, Reggie Bullock had interest from several teams, including the Bucks, Heat, Celtics, Clippers, and Pelicans. Given his proven 3-and-D capability and current role in Houston, he’s also a name to watch.

LaVine is under contract for more than $40 million annually through the 2026-27 season (player option), though his per-game production — while good — isn’t at nearly at a superstar level. Thus, the Rockets could be aiting for a better return on investment, both financially and in terms of the asset cost that a deal would require.

For the right player, Houston does own a considerable amount of future draft capital, which could be used to incentivize a deal.

December 15, which is two weeks away, is the unofficial start to the NBA’s trade season — since that’s the date in which most players who signed contracts in the recently completed offseason become trade eligible. That opens up considerably more options and targets around the league, and Stone and the Rockets should have incentive to be aggressive as their rebuild enters its second phase.

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Jock Landale, Boban Marjanovic ready to provide guidance, competition for Rockets

“Offensively, he’s got it all. He didn’t need too much help, there,” Jock Landale says of Alperen Sengun. “I think where I can help is just pushing him, defensively.” #Rockets

For the Houston Rockets, third-year prospect Alperen Sengun is the clear starter at center entering the 2023-24 NBA season.

It’s not as if the team is otherwise devoid of depth at the NBA’s most critical interior position. In moves designed to provide guidance, competition and leadership, the Rockets signed 27-year-old Jock Landale away from the Phoenix Suns this offseason while re-signing 35-year-old big man Boban Marjanovic.

At Monday’s media day, held in advance of Tuesday’s opening of training camp, both Landale and Marjanovic took questions from reporters regarding their roles and expectations for the new season.

Landale sprained his ankle in international competition this offseason for his native Australia, but he expects to be mostly cleared entering camp — at which he will compete with Sengun in practices.

As for Marjanovic, his role is again expected to be more on the depth and leadership side. But within that context, he’s excited to have more veterans to assist in that endeavor, relative to last season.

From Monday, here’s what both big men had to say to reporters.

Rockets GM Rafael Stone offers Jock Landale, Dillon Brooks updates

With training camp three weeks away, #Rockets GM Rafael Stone shares insight on Jock Landale’s ankle injury and Dillon Brooks’ FIBA World Cup play, among many topics.

Only minutes before the unexpected arrest of Kevin Porter Jr. was announced, the Houston Rockets held a media availability with general manager Rafael Stone as part of the franchise’s annual “Patriot Day” tribute.

As part of this year’s event, the Rockets and the family of owner Tilman Fertitta hosted a “Heroes Luncheon” at Toyota Center to pay tribute to military members and first responders in remembrance of the tragic events that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001.

The luncheon featured members of the U.S. Armed Forces; local police and fire departments; team executives; and four Hall of Famers Cynthia Cooper, Elvin Hayes, Calvin Murphy and Sheryl Swoopes.

This year’s luncheon recognized women in leadership positions and those who have demonstrated exceptional bravery while on duty. Four women were presented with the Hero Award for their outstanding career accomplishments, a commitment to serving their country and their courage and selflessness, according to the team.

In addition to the luncheon, Rockets staff visited Houston-area fire stations and local police stations. Staffers thanked them for their service while distributing tickets and gear to first responders.

As part of the Toyota Center event, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone took a few basketball-related questions from media members in attendance. Here are some of the highlights.

Complete Houston Rockets player ratings list for NBA 2K24 video game

Among #Rockets players, Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, and Alperen Sengun are leading the way in NBA 2K24’s initial player rankings for the 2023-24 season.

The looming release of the NBA 2K24 video game (Friday, Sept. 8) also involves learning NBA 2K’s ratings for all players across the league. To determine virtual skills, players are rated 1-to-100 across many categories, including a frequently disputed overall rating.

Courtesy of HoopsHype, we also have an idea how each player stacks up compared to his NBA peers. For example, the highest-rated players on the 2023-24 Rockets roster — veteran guard Fred VanVleet, third-year guard Jalen Green and third-year center Alperen Sengun — all have an overall rating of 83, per 2Kratings.com.

Based on HoopsHype’s data from last season, that would be tied for 57th overall while matching players such as Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole, Mikal Bridges, Jonas Valanciunas, Jalen Brunson, John Collins, Desmond Bane and Nikola Vucevic.

Houston’s fourth-highest-rated player is Kevin Porter Jr., who has an 81 rating. That would be tied for 85th based on HoopsHype’s player data from the 2022-23 game cycle.

From best to worst, scroll on for the initial list of overall ratings involving  players on the 2023-24 Rockets. Additional ratings in other categories, such as 3-point shooting and dunking, are available at 2Kratings.com. Depending on results this season, these roster ratings could be adjusted in future NBA 2K digital updates.

Jock Landale turns attention to Rockets after injuring ankle in international play

“My MRI results are back, and I’ll be good as gold,” #Rockets center Jock Landale says of his recent ankle injury. “Nothing too serious, just gonna need a bit of time on this one.”

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Approximately six weeks before 2023-24 training camp opens, newly signed Houston Rockets center Jock Landale injured his left ankle while playing for Australia’s 2023 FIBA World Cup team.

The injury occurred in last Thursday’s World Cup warmup game against South Sudan in Melbourne. According to media reports, Landale turned his left ankle after landing on an opposing player’s foot. He immediately clutched his ankle in pain and hobbled straight to the locker room, unable to put significant pressure on his left ankle.

Since then, Landale has undergone an MRI, and the 27-year-old said it showed “nothing too serious.” His comments (via Instagram):

Was fun while it lasted, but that’s sport! Looking forward to supporting the Australian Boomers from afar. The fellas have put in too much work to not take this the distance. My focus is shifting to preparing for a massive season with the Houston Rockets.

My MRI results are back, and I’ll be good as gold. Nothing too serious, just gonna need a bit of time on this one. See you in a Rockets’ jersey soon, and a Boomers’ one come Paris 2024 (Olympics).

At 6 feet, 11 inches and 255 pounds, Landale averaged 6.6 points (52.8% FG) and 4.1 rebounds in 14.2 minutes last season. He’s well regarded for his physical play on offense and defense, as well as for his hustle.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CwE_XJgREIV/

Six weeks is usually enough time for a Grade 1 or Grade 2 ankle sprain to heal, though Landale didn’t share specifics in his update. Even if he’s cleared by Houston’s medical staff, the Rockets may still opt to build up Landale’s conditioning at a slower pace, since he’s likely to be coming off an extended period without running.

Should Landale not be fully available once NBA training camps open, Houston’s other options behind starter Alperen Sengun could involve veteran Jeff Green or playing Jabari Smith Jr. more minutes at center, as he did in the recently completed 2023 summer league.

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Rockets center Jock Landale injures ankle in international play

Six weeks before 2023-24 training camp opens, #Rockets center Jock Landale suffered an ankle injury while playing for Australia. The severity and recovery timetable isn’t yet clear.

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Six weeks before 2023-24 training camp opens, newly signed Houston Rockets center Jock Landale injured his left ankle while playing for Australian Boomers’ 2023 FIBA World Cup team.

The injury occurred in Thursday’s World Cup warmup game vs. South Sudan in Melbourne. Brian Goorjian, head coach of the Boomers, said postgame that it “didn’t look great” and that Landale would soon get an MRI, per ESPN’s Australian reporter, Olgun Uluc.

Uluc has more on the injury:

Landale came into Thursday’s game coming off a right ankle injury, but turned his left ankle after landing on the foot of Marial Shayok in the first period. He immediately clutched his ankle in pain, before hobbling straight to the locker room, unable to put significant pressure on his left foot.

With injuries to both ankles, it appears highly likely the 27-year-old Landale will miss all of Australia’s upcoming World Cup games.

The bigger question is his availability to the Rockets for 2023-24 training camp, which opens in early October. Six weeks should offer significant time to rest, but whether that’s enough to let those injuries fully heal will largely depend on MRI results, which are pending.

Should Landale not be available to start the 2023-24 NBA season, Houston’s other interior options behind starter Alperen Sengun could involve veteran Jeff Green or playing Jabari Smith Jr. more minutes at center, as he did in the recently completed 2023 summer league.

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Rafael Stone is supportive of 2023-24 Rockets playing internationally

“We’re encouraging those guys not just to play, but to play great, and come back as better players,” Rafael Stone says of #Rockets players competing in international play this offseason.

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In the 2023 NBA offseason, the Houston Rockets have had four players competing in at least some capacity for the national basketball team of their respective country. Those players are guard Jalen Green (United States), forward Dillon Brooks (Canada) and centers Alperen Sengun (Turkey) and Jock Landale (Australia).

All are 27 years old or younger, and three of them (all but Brooks) are entering their third season in the NBA.

In some scenarios, extensive international duty can concern teams that are afraid of potential injuries suffered outside the scope of their NBA contracts. In an extreme case, think Paul George from his 2014 Team USA duty.

But for a young team like these Rockets, the upside of extra experience likely trumps the downside. Though the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement doesn’t allow teams to have any say in whether their players take part in international competitions, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone appears to be supportive.

“If we were in a position to have more control, it would be a very player-by-player thing,” Stone told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “This summer, I’m really happy for our guys. They’re at points in their careers the additional reps are very valuable.”

“I can see where teams have concerns,” Stone said. “In our case this summer, we’re comfortable, and we’re encouraging those guys not just to play but to play great and come back as better players.”

Green’s U.S. Select Team stint is already over, though Brooks, Landale and Sengun still have multiple weeks of competition left. The current international window will conclude several weeks before the NBA opens 2023-24 training camps in early October.

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