Summer league - Rockets Rockets getting ready for 2 summer leagues By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2001 Houston Chronicle The Rockets' sudden glut of young forwards will find the court long before the start of next season. Last month's draft picks, Eddie Griffin and Terence Morris, will join the forwards taken in the past two drafts, Dan Langhi and Kenny Thomas, in the team's first trip to the Los Angeles Summer Pro League next week. Langhi likely will be used as a shooting guard along with former Texas Longhorns guard Darren Kelly, who went undrafted last month. Rockets guard Sean Colson and former Kentucky guard Saul Smith will play point guard. Last season's first-round choice, Jason Collier, also will play in Los Angeles, testing his rehabilitation from last season's knee injury. Venson Hamilton, a second-round Rockets draft pick out of Nebraska in 1999, will play for the Rockets' summer league team in Utah. Former Gonzaga forward Axel Densch also will join the team in Utah. Former BYU forward Alex Jensen will play for both summer league teams. Besides Griffin, the seventh player taken in the draft, the Los Angeles Summer League will include five of the top six players taken in the draft. Because the Rockets will participate in two summer leagues and will have several days of practices before beginning play Thursday at California-Long Beach, today's camp will be used as a free-agent tryout camp. Players invited include guards Calvin Murphy Jr., Erik Cooper, of Rice, Jeremy Burkhalter, guards Senecca Wall and Boney Watson of Sam Houston, forwards Omar Sneed of Memphis, Jerald Brown of Texas A&M, Jason Skaer of Rice and Chad Hendrick of Houston. ·Los Angeles Pro League -- July 12, 9:30 p.m. vs. Clippers; July 13, 7:15 p.m. vs. Warriors; July 15, 5 p.m. vs. Lakers; July 16, 9:30 p.m. vs. Grizzlies. ·Rocky Mountain Revue -- in Salt Lake City, Utah, July 19, 9 p.m. vs. Grizzlies; July 20, 7 p.m. vs. Mavericks; July 22, 5 p.m. vs. Suns; July 23, 7 p.m. vs. Bulls; July 25, 7 p.m. vs. Nuggets; July 26, 9 p.m. vs. Jazz. ------------------
Thx barbourdg. I thought Langhi did a decent job the few times he got minutes at SG last season. With some inside shot blocking presence, it's a gamble I would like to see. Langhi is tall and relatively quick. He would create some real mismatches. A shot blocker allows Langhi to gamble on D. Don't know much about the other back court players. I'm looking forward to seeing how much progress Collier, Hamilton, & Dench have made. Jensen was a pretty decent shooter for Majerus. It does not look like Bell is invited this year..good. Of course, the most excitement will be how well Griffin & Morris play! ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02! [This message has been edited by GATER (edited July 05, 2001).]
Kelly is a good choice for the team as he can simulate Cuttino's play, but Kelly isn't as effective. ------------------
When can we find out if we get to watch any on tv?I think I got to watch only 1 last year on ESPN 2,did they show only 1? ------------------ AKA Rendiggler
I am also curious about Langhi at the 2 spot. With all the 3's we will have next season, Dan's best shot is to backup Cutino (if Shandon leaves). Rudy might even use Morris at the backup 2, and Langhi at the backup 3 behind Griffin. Alot of it depends on Shandon and Walt. Walt is our best trade bait, and Shandon will probably never except a backup role on our roster. I think Griffin will get the starting role (to build his confidence), just like when Rudy took Cuttino off the starting lineup when Francis joined the team. Does anybody know if any of these games will be televised like last year? ------------------
I do not know about the LA league. The Rockets are on ESPN twice from the RMR. ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02!
When exactly is this? ------------------ its not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours - alaskansnowman
I only see espn2 showing one game and thats the one on the 26th against utah at 10pm ET ------------------
here are the other games... http://www.nba.com/news/summer_010702.html?nav=ArticleList ------------------
i live in the l.a. area and hope to attend some of the games. i will try to bring digi-cam for photo ops. ------------------
Give us a full recap of the Rox games Big E. ------------------ its not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours - alaskansnowman
Guess I was wrong. First time for everything. 4 games total. Rockets on Thursday 26.07: RMR 2001 ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02!
If I'm not mistaken, the LA games are the ones that will be the ones with players that will actually be on the Rockets starting roster (Langhi, Thomas, Collier, GriffIn, Morris). Any news on LA league broadcasts? ------------------
Big E - Let us know what you see at the review. Also, is the NBA cracking down on pics? ------------------ "Chucky who? I thought we were talking about basketball?" Charles Barkley
That is a very good question. Isn't his relationship a little strained with the other players? He makes more money and does less.
Does anyone know where the LA summer league is being held? I'm thinking about driving down (from the Bay Area) to check out a game or two. ------------------
I can't believe that I am actually excited about the summer leagues! But the first game should be great. The Rockets will have lineups that include: Collier Griffin T-Rock Langhi Against the Clippers we should get some idea of what Griff will bring as he should get time against Darius Miles! This is one match up that I am eager to see or read about even if it is a summer league. ------------------
I was wondering about TWash as well nejyh! I thought we should of signed him to at least a 10 day contract last season.He reminds me so much of Bo Outlaw. Another guy I thought would be back was Mark Young. ------------------ AKA Rendiggler
