Rockets have made a trade, pending league approval (UPDATE: Padgett for Tsakalidis)

It is still possible that Sura's expiring contract is dealt with say JL3 for a point guard like Atkins. This kind of thing usually happens the day of the deadline.

 

JVG is the worst timeout caller

 

We could have used the Greek Yao Ming tonight.

 

Let's hope for one more trade at the deadline for a guy like Atkins. Dallas is better than us but we have to keep on improving. I hope and pray that Yao will get healthy and come back strongly before the playoffs.

 

So we're trading for Tosuckalittle??

 

I don't know what the Rockets are going to do but I feel that there won't be anymore changes this year.

 

even without a trade for backup PG?

 

I just wanted to highlite this for the "That cheap b*stard Les!" crowd,

 

...a backup C is badly wanted

as someone said before, if rafer is not on the pitch, we still have head, l3 and vspan, but if yao is not, we can not let m55 play 40 mins!

PS hayes has really good both off&defence reb, but he is not a good defencer, he gives no pressure

 

wow we traded one scrub, and received another scrub in return.

 

no that award goes to chris webber.

 

I think someone has been watching too much soccer.

 

http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Notes_Tsakalidis_excited_abou-210982-34.html

Notes: Tsakalidis excited about joining Rockets

New Rockets center Jake Tsakalidis understands he was brought to Houston to be physical.

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer
HOUSTON -- Jake Tsakalidis hasn't had a chance to chat with his new coach about his role, but he already has a feel for why he was brought to Houston.

"I'm here to be physical," Tsakalidis said. "I set screens and get rebounds."

The newly acquired center could get that opportunity right away.

Tsakalidis, who was acquired through a trade from Memphis on Tuesday, will be on the active roster Thursday night when the Rockets host the Dallas Mavericks.

The 7-foot-2 center might not see playing time in his Houston debut, but he is expected to serve as Dikembe Mutombo's backup until Yao Ming returns from his fractured right tibia in March.

"He'll be active tonight," said Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, who will move rookie Steve Novak to the inactive list. "I don't know if he'll play, but we've been hammered on the boards (against the Mavericks). Their two bigs have gotten 25 offensive rebounds in three games against us in 118 minutes. Some of it is because we haven't held our ground and some of it is they've jumped over the top of our smaller guys. So he may play to get more size on the floor."

Tsakalidis, a 290-pound center, had a reduced role in Memphis. He played in 23 games this season for the struggling Grizzlies, averaging 2.3 points and 2.8 rebounds. He was averaging 11.2 minutes per game.

Rockets forward Shane Battier, who was Tsakalidis' teammate in Memphis last season, said the center's size will be a welcome addition.

"Big Jake brings size," Battier said. "Aside from giving us three international centers which is an NBA record, he's a guy who I've played with and really enjoyed playing with. He knows the game. No one expects him to go out and do what Yao does, but he could be another wide body that can clog up the middle and get some rebounds for us."

Tsakalidis also gives the Rockets both Greek players in the NBA, joining guard Vassilis Spanoulis.

"It'll be nice," Tsakalidis said. "I can talk Greek now."

 

Toyota center big screen:

Another Niko-Niko's Greek Lesson, with Vassilis Spanoulis:

Hi I am Vassilis Spanoulis and today I will teach you the Greek words for b****ing and complaining. Here is my friend Big Jake to help me.

Jake: Hey Billy don't get me involved in this little problem of yours. No way ba-bee!

Ok how about the Greek word for liar?

How about sit down and shut up? OK?