Tag: Tari Eason

Kevin Porter Jr. in beautiful space as Rockets enter 2022-23 season

“Being in the space I am in now and looking back, it’s a beautiful space to be in,” Kevin Porter Jr. says. “I found joy in everyday life, not just getting on the court.”

HOUSTON — As Rockets players moved throughout the hallways during Monday’s media day at Toyota Center, they headed to different rooms to fulfill media and team obligations, including photography shoots, interviews, advertising videos and more.

One distinctive laugh could be heard every time they passed the doorway that led into the media conference room.

It was not second-year players Jalen Green, Josh Christopher or Alperen Sengun. Nor was it rookies Jabari Smith Jr. or Tari Eason. And if you think it was the newly acquired media sensation who goes by one name, Boban (his last name is Marjanovic), you’re mistaken.

The laughter came from a person who some expected would not last in the NBA due to his volatile attitude, as well as a perceived unwillingness to allow people into his life to help due to a strong internal belief that he could handle things on his own.

As Rockets point guard Kevin Porter Jr. entered the room, the first thing he did was greet media members with a smile and “What’s good, y’all?” That gesture exuded happiness, which was something his demeanor was lacking a year ago during media day.

“Being in the space I am in now and looking back, it’s a beautiful space to be in,” Porter told reporters in candid remarks. “I found joy in everyday life, not just getting on the court, coming in and shooting the ball. Waking up every day, I found joy in that. I was drinking more water and being able to just walk and run. Once I was able to count the small things being a blessing again, it kind of just helped me with everything in every aspect of my life.”

“The Rockets gave me the opportunity to even get to this point,” he added. “Without the year I had last year, I wouldn’t discover what this space would be. It’s a dope space to be in, and I’ve been in it for a very long time, probably (since) the end of last year. I plan on staying and letting this be who I am now.”

Who Porter is now is not who he was when Houston acquired him from the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2021. The former first-round draft pick in 2019 came with a lot of emotional baggage, including a dispute with coaches from the Cavaliers’ organization.

Some of that baggage was unpacked at halftime of the New Year’s Day game versus Denver, when a verbal altercation with assistant coach John Lucas ended with Porter leaving Toyota Center.

Porter was suspended one game by the Rockets’ organization for his actions. The disciplinary action hit home with Porter. He realized he was one of the team’s leaders.

Once he rejoined the team, he was no longer a disruption forcoaches or teammates. Houston got a glimpse of what Porter could become in its last seven games of 2021-22, when he averaged 28.7 points, 7.4 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 3.0 turnovers per game.

Porter, 22, attributes becoming a point guard to helping him finally realize that he is no longer alone and is a part of an organization that wants him to succeed not only on the court, but in life.

“Changing my position, was like a transition in my life,” Porter said. “Being a point guard, you are leading four other grown men into trying to win the game. You have to build that trust and build that respect. And they have to be willing to let you lead, and you have to earn that. I had to earn that last year. Now, I got my guys behind me, and it is a lot easier coming into this season than last season.”

With Monday’s media day in the books, training camp begins Tuesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Stick with Rockets Wire for complete coverage, as our Brian Barefield will be live on the scene.

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Live blog: Key takeaways at 2022-23 Houston Rockets media day

Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., Rafael Stone, and Stephen Silas are among those taking the podium at Toyota Center for Monday’s Rockets media day, which kicks off training camp.

HOUSTON — General manager Rafael Stone, head coach Stephen Silas and select players from the 2022-23 Rockets are meeting with media members Monday at Toyota Center to preview the upcoming season, which begins with the Sunday, Oct. 2 preseason opener.

The rebuilding Rockets remain one of the NBA’s youngest teams, and they finished with the league’s worst record (20-62) last season. Yet, there were clear signs of development and growth from prospects such as Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun.

This offseason, Houston reinforced its youth movement with three first-round picks in the 2022 NBA draft, led by Auburn forward Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 3 overall. Later on, LSU forward Tari Eason (No. 17) and Kentucky guard TyTy Washington (No. 29) joined the fray.

Scroll on for updates from all of Monday’s interviews. With the spotlight on those prized prospects, Houston’s training camp begins Tuesday in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and continues there for three days before shifting back to Houston to prepare for exhibition games. The 2022-23 regular season will begin on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Interview: New assistant coach Mike Batiste on joining the Rockets

“I was honored to get the call,” new Rockets assistant Mike Batiste tells @BigSargeSportz. “Coach Silas has old school rules but has a very innovative, new school way of thinking.”

LAS VEGAS — A loud voice bellows from the sideline as the Rockets summer league team holds practice in preparation for a game versus Oklahoma City.

“Jabari, you can cut your path to the lane if you take this angle. They are going to try and make you go one way, which will take you out of the play. But if you take the angle I just showed you, you can put more pressure on the backside defender.”

As summer league head coach Rick Higgins gives the instructions to re-run the play, Jabari Smith Jr., who was selected No. 3 overall by Houston in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft, follows the instructions and gets to the basket easier than on the last play.

On the sideline, Rockets head coach Stephen Silas smiled. He knew the instructions had come from someone who would be a welcome addition to his staff while helping develop his young team.

Mike Batiste, a new assistant coach, made his name known as a dominant force while playing overseas for Greek powerhouse Panathinaikos Athens from 2003-2012. During that time, he helped the team secure eight consecutive Greek League championships, five Greek Cups and three EuroLeague championships. He was awarded MVP of the Greek League and named Finals MVP in 2010.

Batiste, 44, was hired by the Rockets this offseason after serving as player development manager for the Washington Wizards last season. Though he had numerous offers to join other NBA coaching staffs, familiarity brought Batiste to Houston.

“To have some familiar faces where you know these guys believe in you and have confidence in you, that was a deal breaker,” said Batiste, who worked with Silas and Higgins at previous stops in Charlotte and Orlando. “Giving me more responsibility to lead, teach and preach to these guys was an attracting factor as well. I was honored to get the call. Coach Silas has old school rules but has a very innovative, new school way of thinking. He has an open mind and is willing to try new things. I liked that about him, and that brought me here.”

The former first-team All-Pac-10 player (1999) at Arizona State knows developing young talent such as Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., Alperen Sengun and others is vital for a rebuilding franchise like the current Rockets.

“Those guys are trending in the right direction in terms of being better pros,” Batiste said. “Being better versions of themselves in terms of their skill sets and fundamentals. I remember last year when I was with the Wizards, KPJ hit a game-winner on us.”

“So, you got some guys who can really score the ball in a high efficiency way, and it all starts with those guys,” Batiste added. “They are a year older, so we expect a lot from them, and hopefully they can answer the challenge in the right way.”

Houston finished last season as the worst team in the NBA, only winning 20 games. That was, however, an improvement from 17 wins the previous season. With a strong draft class in 2021, the Rockets brought in some very talented players.

Second-team All-American selection and National Freshman of the Year Jabari Smith Jr., who played at Auburn, and SEC Sixth Man of the Year and All-SEC first-team forward Tari Eason from LSU were selected in the first round in this year’s draft. Those additions should bolster the lineup on both ends of the court.

“I definitely feel that when we all get together, we are going to be one of the most competitive teams on the floor,” Batiste said. “I think we are going to be a high execution team and we are going to be that team that that goes out every single night and compete. We want to make teams scrap to beat us. We just want other teams to look on their schedule and see that Houston is coming into town and they have to work to beat us consistently for 48 minutes.”

Before leaving the interview, Batiste wanted to make sure Rockets fans know he plans on blending in with many Texas residents by purchasing a cowboy hat and boots.

“I have always liked that look but could never pull it off in the places I have been until now,” Batiste said with a big smile.

Batiste and the Rockets will have three days of training camp in Lake Charles, Louisiana, before returning home to prepare for their preseason opener on Oct. 2 at Toyota Center. Tipoff between the Rockets and in-state rival San Antonio is at 6 p.m. Central.

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LSU Tigers: Tari Eason reacts to last-second loss to Florida State

The former Tigers forward was among those locked in on Sunday night as LSU lost to Florida State.

College football returned to a full schedule this weekend in Week 1 of the 2022 season, and it may have been Sunday night’s matchup between Florida State and LSU that produced the most exciting finish.

The Tigers rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter and needed only an extra point to tie the score and send the game to overtime. Instead, the Seminoles blocked their second kick of the night to pull out the 24-23 victory at the Superdome in New Orleans.

After Florida State recovered a muffed punt return by LSU, the Seminoles drove to the 1-yard line. With 1:20 left to play, running back Treshaun Ward fumbled, and the Tigers recovered to set up a final, 99-yard drive.

Instead, the Seminoles came out on top in a wild ending.

As the lone game on the schedule on Sunday, the matchup had the collective sports community locked in. From LeBron James to the alumni of each program, everyone was talking about the contest, including former Tigers forward Tari Eason.

The Houston Rockets rookie took to social media to offer his thoughts on the game, including the final play. Like all Tigers fans, Eason was not thrilled with the result.

Eason was named the SEC Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 16.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks and one assist in 33 games as a sophomore. He recorded four games with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, the most by a Tigers player since 2015.

He projects to have a significant role with the Rockets this season, and will report to training camp at the end of this month. He had a strong run in the Las Vegas Summer League and looks to carry that momentum into the season.

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Rockets release blooper reel for 2022-23 schedule release video

The Rockets didn’t have much acting experience prior to their epic schedule release video for the 2022-23 season, so there were understandably a few bloopers.

The Houston Rockets drew rave reviews in recent weeks regarding their epic schedule release video for the 2022-23 NBA season. Not surprisingly, it took quite a bit of work to pull off.

Beyond the production value, it’s not as if the film’s marquee actors had much (if any) acting experience. The video starred head coach Stephen Silas and five players: Eric Gordon, Josh Christopher, Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason and TyTy Washington.

With that in mind, there were understandably a few outtakes and bloopers from the acting process, and the Rockets were kind enough to package a small handful of them this week for viewing on Twitter.

At 21 years old, Eason is the oldest member of Houston’s three first-round rookies from the 2022 NBA draft. Yet, as viewers of the blooper reel can tell, he’s still very young at heart, as well.

Scroll on for the complete blooper video from the Rockets.

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In aftermath of Chet Holmgren injury, Rockets rookie Tari Eason vows to stay in the gym

After the Chet Holmgren injury, Rockets rookie Tari Eason says he’s done with pro-am games, at least in 2022. But, Eason adds: “You won’t never not catch me in the gym.“

Jamal Crawford’s CrawsOver Pro-Am game, which was stopped early due to unsafe court conditions, included a foot injury suffered by Oklahoma City rookie Chet Holmgren.

That injury turned out to be a Lisfranc fracture, which will cause the No. 2 pick from the first round of the 2022 NBA draft to miss his rookie season with the Thunder.

Other marquee NBA players taking part in that abbreviated game included LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, Dejounte Murray, Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason, a rookie forward with the Houston Rockets. Naturally, it’s not hard to envision scenarios where such an injury could have happened to one of the others, including Eason.

With that in mind, Brandon Scott — a producer with SportsRadio 610 in Houston — tweeted the following:

I know Tari Eason has been killing it on the pro-am circuit this summer. Loved to see it. Now, I respectfully would like for him to sit down somewhere. Want to watch him with the Rockets this year.

Eason saw Scott’s tweet, and he then responded:

Won’t be playing in no more pro-am games, but sit down, I cannot. Far from time to rest. You won’t never not catch me in the gym.

Ultimately, it’s about reasonable risk mitigation, and that’s what Eason appears willing to do. Players want to be in basketball shape prior to training camp, since that’s when they try to earn minutes, and that’s especially the case when it comes to an NBA rookie.

Yet, there are a few extra risks taken by playing at pro-am tournaments in varying environments and conditions.

Eason is too dedicated to his craft to rest, but in the aftermath of Holmgren’s injury, it appears he’s done with pro-am tournaments — at least for the 2022 offseason. That’s a fair balance.

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Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren faced LeBron, Jayson Tatum in CrawsOver Pro-Am

Banchero and Holmgren teamed up again on Saturday and faced LeBron James and several other players in the CrawsOver Pro-Am.

Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero and Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren teamed up on Saturday against Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and several other players in the CrawsOver Pro-Am in Seattle, Washington.

Banchero and Holmgren played together in the event last month and combined to score 84 points. They hit the court together once again and were joined by Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon, Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason and Isaiah Thomas.

They matched up against James, Boston Celtics guard Jayson Tatum, Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray and Milwaukee Bucks forward MarJon Beauchamp. With such a star-studded group of players on the court, fans were seen waiting as early as 6 a.m. to reserve a spot in line.

Those that managed to gain entrance into the gym were treated to a show as the players dazzled on the court. James and Tatum connected on a few alley-oops, while the incoming rookies also had some highlight-worthy plays.

The CrawsOver Pro-Am, which was started by NBA legend Jamal Crawford, has put together another incredible summer of basketball with dozens of players coming through, as was the case on Saturday. Players have shown love to those in the area and they have given it right back.

With training camps opening in late September, players have stayed busy throughout the summer by playing in various exhibition games throughout the country. Certainly, fans everywhere can’t wait to watch them take the court when the season begins in October.

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Rockets earn rave reviews for 2022-23 schedule release video

The Rockets released their 2022-23 season schedule with a hilarious video featuring players and coaches in acting roles, and the reviews were overwhelmingly positive.

The Houston Rockets released their 2022-23 season schedule on Wednesday with an innovative video featuring players, coaches, executives, and more. To say the least, online reviews of the team’s clever and hilarious marketing promotion were quite positive.

The video features rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington — all selected in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft — acting as Toyota Center office workers in their first day on the job.

The rookies are mentored in the film by veteran guard Eric Gordon and second-year prospect Josh Christopher. General manager Rafael Stone and head coach Stephen Silas made cameo appearances, and players who weren’t in Houston like Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., and Alperen Sengun took part by Zoom video.

Throughout the seven-minute film, schedule dates showing when various NBA opponents will visit Toyota Center are shown in the office background. For fans, the Rockets are offering a video quiz on their mobile app, with those who successfully answer questions regarding clues in the video entered into a drawing for free tickets.

Scroll on for a look at the complete video, followed by reaction from fans, media, and consumers in Houston and beyond.

Rockets rookies welcome Houston elementary students back to school

Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason, and TyTy Washington welcomed students back to school at a local elementary campus near Houston, and everyone got free tickets.

HOUSTON — On Wednesday morning, recently drafted Rockets rookies Tari Eason, Jabari Smith Jr., and TyTy Washington joined others in welcoming students and faculty from Silvercrest Elementary to their first day of school.

Silvercrest is located in Pearland, Texas, a suburb approximately 20 miles south of downtown Houston.

Clutch the Bear, the Clutch City Dancers and the Sonic Boom Drumline were all on hand to cheer the children as they arrived. The Rockets offered tickets to their first preseason home game (Oct. 2 versus San Antonio) to the entire school, staff included.

“It was exciting,” Eason said of the Silvercrest experience. “It brought back a lot of memories, with the first day of school. I’ve got a brother this age; he’s in elementary school.”

“It just takes me back. When I was a kid, it would be a blessing for me to see… someone who I wanted to be. A successful basketball player, outside my school, to greet me before the first day.”

Check out video footage of the event below.

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2022 NBA offseason grades: Rockets given high marks by experts

The Rockets didn’t make any big moves in 2022 free agency, but they appear to have had another strong draft, and that’s enough for many experts to give them a high offseason grade.

So far, the Houston Rockets haven’t made big moves in 2022 free agency. But led by the pick of Jabari Smith Jr. at No. 3 overall in the first round, they appear to have had another strong draft, and that’s enough for many NBA experts to give them a high offseason grade.

Earlier in June, the Rockets traded veteran center Christian Wood to Dallas to open up a starting spot for second-year big Alperen Sengun, who Houston hopes can become a cornerstone player in its rebuild.

As part of these deals (or lack thereof), the Rockets have also continued to prioritize and maximize salary cap flexibility in the 2023 offseason, with up to $75 million in cap space potentially available.

With those types of moves in mind, the Rockets and third-year general manager Rafael Stone are drawing praise in offseason reviews from media members who cover the league. Here’s a sampling of Houston’s offseason and free agency grades.

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