Fox 26 interviewed Les Alexander about the Yao situation and about the team in general. He said that he expects Yao in a uniform by the time the season opens. Yao's agents want some things (not money) and the Rockets are trying to accomodate them. He said it is part of normal negotiations, nothing out of the ordinary. Yao's agents say they aren't demanding anything. They say that there is no ill will and they are moving towards an agreement. Alexander believes the CBA deal will come before the season, but they are still working through those things. Les said he believes this is one of the best teams ever put together. He also said that he expects the playoffs this season and championships in the near future.
Hmm...so I guess we aren't big homers. If Les thinks it, everyone must. (that's right, a team's owner is NOT a homer.) J/k, btw. Good to hear the update on the contract situation.
Les believes this is one of the best teams ever put together? Thats pretty ballsy to say. Personally I think we'll make the playoffs easily, but we won't show that championship ability for a few more years...3, or 4. We could have one of the best teams if all the players live up to their potential...but the same could be said for half the NBA
It was more this is the best teams we, " the Rox", have ever put together. Yet to be seen but I believe it could be.
This is one of the best teams ever put together. No joke. It'll take a while to build the chemistry, refine the plays, learn not to foul, and say goodbye to the deadweight, but Francis Mobley Nachbar Griffin Yao Taylor Thomas Norris I can see those 8, or 5 or 6 of them, pulling shifts on a championship team for a few years running.
Alexander goes gaga over Rockets' talent To owner, team has look of greatness By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle Look out, Lakers. And we're not just talking about the Lakers of Shaq and Kobe. The Lakers of Magic and Kareem, the Celtics of Bird and McHale and of Russell and Cousy, and the 76ers of Chamberlain and Greer apparently all will have to make room in their most exclusive club. The Rockets, one informed but perhaps biased observer believes, will soon have to be added to the roll call. "I love the team," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said Wednesday. "I think this is one of the great teams ever assembled." The Rockets won 28 games last season. But in case anyone with a dropping jaw thought Alexander had an unintentional slip of hyperbole, he made sure it was understood that he meant every word. "I swear I believe that," he said. "I think we have unbelievable talent. We're young. We're a little immature in terms of experience on the court. We have a great center now, and (Kelvin) Cato's been playing great at Westside. We have a great point guard (Steve Francis). Cuttino (Mobley) is a great two. We have three guys competing at the four position. We made this team to be long and lanky and can shoot." Asked his expectations, Alexander said: "Playoffs, and I think in the future, championships." The presumed "great center" of the Rockets' future championship teams, Yao Ming, is unsigned and has not received official clearance from the China Basketball Association to join the Rockets as planned next month. But Alexander remained as confident that Yao will be signed before the season as he is about the Rockets' future. "We're still in contract negotiations with his agents, and we haven't gotten the release from the basketball association (in China)," Alexander said. "The night we drafted him, I knew this would be a long process that wouldn't end quickly, that these things would happen. This is the process I anticipated. Their agents want some things we haven't been willing to deliver. "I never thought it was a formality, but I never thought it was something that wouldn't occur. It's a process. We're going through the process. I think they're serious, but they'll think we're reasonable. We're very reasonable people. I think we'll get it done. "When you have a $12 million contract ... there's always terms and conditions and people arguing over this and over that. It's just normal. I think everything will fall into place by the time the season starts." Neither Alexander nor Yao's agent, Erick Zhang, would discuss details of their negotiations, though both said they have reached agreement on the value of Yao's contract, which is limited by the collective bargaining agreement, and the up-front payment Yao would receive. "It's business as usual," Zhang said. "I don't want to get into the details, and I don't want to make predictions about how the negotiations will go. We'd very much like to have the agreement done as soon as possible, regardless of when the release is done." The Rockets on Wednesday signed 6-10 center Steve Goodrich and 6-5 forward Pete Mickeal to non-guaranteed contracts. Alexander spoke after announcing a 3-point shooting competition sponsored by the Rockets for Houston area high school varsity players: "Cuttino's Clutch City Shootout." Players will compete throughout October, with the semifinals and finals to take place at halftime of Rockets games throughout the season. "I was never in a situation like this when I was younger," said Mobley, who will serve as the tournament's spokesman. "When the organization brought it to my attention, I was right on top of it, ready to do it. I'm very excited for the season, excited about this program. And to have kids to come out from the whole city to win money (eight winning schools will split $25,000) is a big thing." Though he did not reach Alexander's extremes, Mobley also expects the Rockets to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1999, his rookie year, and considers making the playoffs the measure of a successful season. "We should (make the playoffs,)," Mobley said. "We went through ... three years straight where we didn't make the playoffs. Injuries killed us last year. This year, there should be no excuses. We're excited about the playoffs. Anything else is uncivilized. "I'm excited about ... Yao. Steve's healthy. Mo Taylor looks great. I'm like a little kid, I'm so happy to be able to play." http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1591233
That statement puts alot of pressure on your coach. Remember alot of the guys on the team never played together. Chemistry is very important. Also, this team has to revolve around Yao Ming in order to win, in my opinion. And that's something the coaching staff has to make clear to the players at the start of training camp. We have to instill team play in the minds of our guards in order for this team to go anywhere.
I thought using "Kelvin Cato" and "great" in the same sentence was punishable by a slow painful death...obviously Les doesn't fear the reaper.
I'm glad I'm not the only one that got that vibe. Les is a pretty calculated guy. He doesn't say things off the cuff and without thinking. To declare that he expects the team in the playoffs this year and contending for championship<b><i>S</i></b> in the next few years (note the plural) sounds very much like a challenge to the current administrative and coaching staff. I mean, I could be WAY off, but guys like Les don't usually say things like that to the media without a very good reason.
"He's been playing great at Westside" is often followed a few months later by "Unfortunately in this business, you have to give up value to get value."
You know I like the Rockets but Les comparing these Rockets to the Lakers is foolish. I'm all for him motivating the team and getting the fans excited (fan excitement = money for Les) but he shouldn't get too carried away. os
Owners are supposed to hype up their team just like agents are supposed to hype up the players they represent. If anyone (in the public eye) ought to be a homer, it ought to be the owner. Sure Les is being a sunshine ass, but that's what you do.
Expectation for a playoff ticket is quite reasonable. Time will tell.... if our team is good, best, or great. KH
Maybe this is the coaching staff's own doing. You know how much Rudy and CD have been hyping Yao and Boki with talks about these are the missing peices to our championship team. I and most fans probably agree with these statements as do the entire Rockets coaching staff. If Ming turns out to be the real deal and we still can't reach the playoffs I think Rudy would step down himself.
