Tari Eason – Page 13 – Syndication Server

Takeaways: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks rout weary Rockets, Jalen Green

Jalen Green scored 22 points, but the weary Rockets had no answers versus Giannis Antetokounmpo (44 points, 12 rebounds) and the Bucks on night two of a split back-to-back.

On a third game in three cities in four nights — and a second in two cities in two nights — the young and road-weary Houston Rockets were no match Saturday for the veteran-laden Milwaukee Bucks.

Led by two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo (44 points, 12 rebounds, 81.0% FG), the Bucks (2-0) were rested and took care of business in a 125-105 victory over the Rockets (box score).

Jalen Green led the Rockets (0-3) with 22 points in 32 minutes. He shot just 6-of-19 from the field (31.6%), though he did make 4-of-7 from 3-point range (57.1%). Other players in double figures were:

Kevin Porter Jr.: 18 points (33.3% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 7 assists, 5 rebounds in 34 minutes
Jabari Smith Jr.: 13 points (33.3% FG, 42.9% on 3-pointers), 11 rebounds, 2 blocks in 28 minutes
KJ Martin: 14 points (54.5% FG, 40.0% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds in 30 minutes
Tari Eason: 11 points(44.4% FG, 75.0% on 3-pointers), 2 blocks in 19 minutes

Jae’Sean Tate (left ankle soreness) and TyTy Washington (left knee sprain) remained out for the Rockets, and Eric Gordon (rest) and Bruno Fernando (left knee soreness) joined them on the sidelines. Both Gordon and Fernando played in Friday’s front end of the back-to-back, a competitive home loss to the Grizzlies in Houston.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. The Rockets return to action Monday at home for the first of two straight games versus Utah (2-0), with the tip set for 7 p.m. Central.

Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey among 14 rookies to sign with Nike

Holmgren and Ivey were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with the Swoosh.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey on Friday were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with Nike, the apparel company announced.

Holmgren and Ivey, as top-five picks, were viewed as top targets for apparel companies as each player projects to have a bright future in the NBA. They both have worn Nike shoes in the past and will continue to do so after opting to sign with the Swoosh.

Nike had a busy signing period with the incoming rookie class after coming to terms with 12 other first-year players. They signed 12 first-round picks and two second-round picks for the 2022-23 season after a relatively quiet class over the past few years because of the pandemic.

Here are the 14 rookies that signed with Nike this season.

In NBA debut for rookies, Stephen Silas impressed by Rockets’ fight

Stephen Silas on Houston’s regular-season opener: “This is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

ATLANTA — The Houston Rockets (0-1) dropped their 2022-23 NBA regular-season opener to the Atlanta Hawks (1-0), 117-107. They looked much more proficient than in their opening game in Minnesota a year ago and were competitive to the end.

Houston looked uncertain at times while trying to get the right combinations on the floor. That uncertainty led to 16 turnovers and 28 fast-break points for the Hawks. As the season continues, head coach Stephen Silas believes the continuity will improve as players find each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Multiple times I sat down and told my assistants that we are so young,” Silas said. “We made some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to 28 points for them. Also, this is our fifth game together, so we were disjointed a little bit, but I love our fight and our competitiveness.”

Silas wasn’t the only one impressed by how the young Rockets team played on Wednesday night. Hawks head coach Nate McMillan commended Houston for never giving in, even though they were down on numerous occasions by double digits.

“Houston was a serious challenge, and we knew they would be,” McMillian said. “Their ability to put four guards out on the court and they can attack and create their own offense. If you are collapsing too much, they can burn you with the 3-pointers. We knew that this would be a tough game.”

ROOKIE REVIEW

Jabari Smith Jr. gave the Rockets a glimpse of what he could do, finishing with 17 points and 7 rebounds in 33 minutes. Although he went 3-for-11 from the 3-point line (27.3%), Smith gained excellent looks at the basket when guards Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green drove the lane and kicked the ball back to him.

Smith, 19, looked very comfortable during the second quarter when he was on the court with second-year center Alperen Sengun.

“He is very unselfish and great at what he does,” Smith said of Sengun.

Forward Tari Eason also made his regular-season debut. It went according to expectations, based on what the coaches and fans have seen from Eason since he played in his first summer league game in Las Vegas.

The former SEC Sixth Man of the Year out of LSU collected 8 points and 7 rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench. He split time with KJ Martin and Garrison Matthews, since forward Jae’Sean Tate remains out with an ankle injury.

Fellow rookie TyTy Washington, a guard out of Kentucky, remains out indefinitely with a left knee sprain.

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Takeaways: Jabari Smith Jr. scores 17 in NBA debut as Hawks edge Rockets

Jabari Smith Jr. (17 points, 7 rebounds) showed promising signs in his NBA debut, but the #Rockets were cold from the perimeter versus Trae Young and Atlanta.

Top rookie Jabari Smith Jr. (17 points, 7 rebounds) showed promising signs in his NBA debut, but the Houston Rockets were cold from the perimeter in Wednesday’s 117-107 loss (box score) at Atlanta. It was the opener of the 2022-23 regular season for both teams.

Trae Young (23 points, 13 assists) and Dejounte Murray (20 points, 11 assists) led the way for the Hawks at State Farm Arena.

Atlanta won 23 games more than Houston last season, but the young Rockets were competitive throughout the game and pulled within a possession multiple times during Wednesday’s fourth quarter. However, ill-timed turnovers (Rockets 15, Hawks 9) and poor 3-point shooting kept Houston from getting over the top.

The Rockets hit just 9-of-35 from 3-point range as a team (25.7%), with Jalen Green (1-of-7, 14.3%), Eric Gordon (1-of-4, 25.0%), and Smith (3-of-11, 27.3%) among those who slumped as shooters.

Key statistics for Rockets players who went at least 15 minutes are:

Kevin Porter Jr.: 34 minutes, 21 points (47.4% FG, 60.0% on 3-pointers), 7 assists, 7 rebounds, 4 turnovers
Jalen Green: 32 minutes, 16 points (35.0% FG, 14.3% on 3-pointers), 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers
Alperen Sengun: 22 minutes, 15 points (55.6% FG, 50.0% on 3-pointers), 9 rebounds, 6 turnovers
Jabari Smith Jr.: 33 minutes, 17 points (35.3% FG, 27.3% on 3-pointers), 7 rebounds
Eric Gordon: 29 minutes, 11 points (44.4% FG, 25.0% on 3-pointers), 4 assists
Bruno Fernando: 25 minutes, 7 points (100% FG), 9 rebounds, 7 assists
Tari Eason: 15 minutes, 8 points (66.7% FG), 7 rebounds
KJ Martin: 23 minutes, 6 points (14.3% FG), 5 rebounds, 4 fouls

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. The Rockets return to action Friday for their home opener at Toyota Center versus Memphis, with tipoff set for 7:00 p.m. Central.

2022 NBA draft: 10 bold rookie predictions for the 2022-23 season

Rookie Wire decided to put on our thinking caps and predict the future with 10 bold predictions for the upcoming season.

The 2022-23 regular season officially tipped off in the NBA on Tuesday as four teams hit the court to much fanfare in front of a national audience on TNT.

The Golden State Warriors proved to be the team to beat as defending champions after making easy work of the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics showed little signs of any inner turmoil with an impressive win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Of course, there will be plenty of other storylines to follow in each conference as the season progresses. Several teams figure to be in the playoff picture after a busy offseason while others will continue to develop and progress in their respective rebuilding efforts.

The incoming rookie class also figures to be worth monitoring, as well.

The group was dealt an unfortunate injury to No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren, who will miss the entire season, but the class figures to be entertaining to watch. Some players have already put themselves on the map after a strong exhibition run.

Rookie Wire decided to put on our thinking caps and predict the future. We made 10 bold predictions for the class and offered an opinion on what we might see this season. To make this exercise fun, we will come back at the end of the season and see how we did.

Here is how we fared last season. We didn’t do particularly well.

2022-2023 Houston Rockets roster

With Derrick Favors waived and Darius Days added to a two-way deal, here’s a look at the official Houston Rockets roster entering the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, there are clear signs of optimism beginning to emerge.

It starts with second-year guard Jalen Green and rookie forward Jabari Smith Jr., who each excelled in the recently completed preseason while helping lead the Rockets to a 3-1 record as a team.

For Green, he looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season, which finished with a historic scoring burst that led to his spot on the league’s All-Rookie First Team.

For Smith, selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future cornerstone.

Combine that duo with other promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin, and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see some of the reasons for optimism.

With that in mind, here’s a look at the full Rockets roster entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version includes all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

2022-23 Houston Rockets statistics, player grades for preseason play

The Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green (22.0 points, 43.3% on 3-pointers, 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes) were a big reason why.

The young Houston Rockets went 3-1 in preseason play leading up to the NBA’s 2022-23 regular season, and electric numbers by second-year guard Jalen Green were a big reason why.

Green averaged 22.0 points (43.3% on 3-pointers) and 3.3 assists in 26.3 minutes, and his performance has clearly played a large role in the rebuilding Rockets overachieving expectations to this point.

Granted, the competition will get much steeper once the regular season begins on Wednesday, Oct. 19 in Atlanta. Opponents will be playing their rotation regulars much more frequently, and there is likely to be a greater attention to detail across the board.

Nonetheless, for a young group like the Rockets that finished with the NBA’s worst record in 2021-22, any success is potentially something to build on. That’s especially the case if it starts with Green, the No. 2 overall pick from the first round of the 2021 NBA draft and a clear building block for the future of the organization.

Scroll on for statistics and grades for all Rockets players averaging at least 10 minutes per game in exhibition play. Grades are relative to realistic expectations for each player prior to the preseason, meaning that the bar for a starter is higher than for a deep reserve.

Podcast: Craig Ackerman previews the 2022-23 Houston Rockets season

With the season almost here, #Rockets voice Craig Ackerman joins us to discuss key storylines, including the integration of Alperen Sengun as a starter and the growth of Jalen Green.

In Friday’s new episode of “The Lager Line” podcast, Craig Ackerman joins Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves to discuss key storylines for the 2022-23 season along with lessons learned from the preseason. Ackerman is the play-by-play voice for Houston Rockets television broadcasts.

Topics featured on the podcast include the ongoing process of integrating Alperen Sengun into Houston’s starting lineup and promising signs of development shown by young prospects Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Tari Eason and KJ Martin.

Other discussion points involve Ackerman’s career perspective and his new broadcast team at AT&T SportsNet Southwest with Ryan Hollins and Vanessa Richardson, along with insight on the epic start to Major League Baseball’s 2022 postseason by Yordan Alvarez and the Astros (now up 2-0 in the ALDS over the Seattle Mariners).

Friday’s full episode 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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Tari Eason flourishing early with the Rockets in the preseason

Eason is averaging a double-double through the Rockets’ first three preseason games.

Houston Rockets assistant coach John Lucas II recently gave rookie Tari Eason a lofty comparison to Dennis Rodman, and the 17th pick looks to have some similarities to the Hall of Famer.

Eason established himself as a tremendous scorer and rebounder in college at LSU. He averaged 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and one assist, and he had four games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds. He was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year.

He continued that level of production in the Las Vegas Summer League, averaging 17.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.6 assists and one blocked shot. He led all players in rebounding and double-doubles (4) and is again showing off that ability in the preseason.

Through the Rockets’ first three games, Eason is averaging 20.7 points, 10 rebounds, 1.7 steals and one assist. Of his 10 boards per game, Eason is averaging 5.3 on the offensive glass; he has grabbed at least five per game.

He had his second double-double on Monday with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Rodman is regarded as one of the top rebounders to ever step foot onto the court. He had seemingly an infinite supply of energy and used that to crash the glass, chase loose balls and defend at a high level — all characteristics that Eason has displayed thus far.

The Rockets, as Lucas said, don’t necessarily have to run plays for Eason. He runs the floor hard and can create for himself when needed. The team can count on him to score and rebound, and that is a byproduct of his energy and effort.

The comparison to Rodman may be a bit premature for Eason considering he hasn’t played in an official game, but the 21-year-old will certainly have moments reminiscent of him this season. He could be in store for a strong rookie campaign, as a result.

Houston wraps up its preseason schedule on Friday.

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Takeaways: Kevin Porter Jr., Jalen Green flourish, but Alperen Sengun struggles in loss to Miami

Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green played well, but the Rockets struggled to overcome a bad night by Alperen Sengun in Monday’s loss at Miami. Here’s our look at the key takeaways.

Houston’s starting backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. (21 points, 6 assists) and Jalen Green (25 points, 5 assists) played well Monday, but starting center Alperen Sengun struggled in his preseason return as the Miami Heat defeated the visiting Rockets, 118-110 (box score).

Sengun, who missed Friday’s win due to a dental procedure, had just 2 points and 4 rebounds on 1-of-5 shooting (20.0%) while fouling five times in only 17 minutes. His struggles helped Miami erase an early 16-point lead by the Rockets, who came out firing behind Porter and Green. The backcourt mates combined to hit 14-of-31 shots (45.2%) in 28 minutes apiece, including 8-of-17 on 3-pointers (47.1%).

Rookie forward Tari Eason continued to play well off Houston’s bench, registering 17 points and 12 rebounds in 28 minutes while making 8-of-11 shots (72.7%) from the field. Third-year forward KJ Martin continued to shine in the absence of several rotation regulars with 13 points and 4 assists in 28 minutes, all while shooting 5-of-9 overall (55.6%) and 3-of-6 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Jabari Smith Jr. (left ankle sprain), Eric Gordon (rest), Daishen Nix (lower back soreness) and head coach Stephen Silas (health and safety protocols) were not part of Monday’s action for the Rockets, while Jae’Sean Tate left early with right ankle soreness.

With Silas missing a second straight exhibition, lead assistant John Lucas again filled in as Houston’s acting head coach.

On the other side, Caleb Martin (right knee tendinitis), Tyler Herro (right knee contusion), and Omer Yurtseven (left ankle soreness) were out injured for the Heat. Miami also chose to hold out veterans Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Kyle Lowry for rest purposes.

Among those playing, veteran wing Max Strus led Miami with 24 points in 24 minutes, including 5-of-10 on 3-pointers (50.0%). Rookie Nikola Jovic was impressive off the bench with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists, including several minutes in a direct matchup with Sengun. Miami was +24 in Jovic’s 23 minutes, best of any player.

Scroll on for postgame interviews, clips, and analysis. The Rockets (2-1) will conclude their preseason schedule on Friday at Indiana, while Miami (3-1) wraps up by hosting New Orleans on Wednesday.