http://blogs.chron.com/nba/2009/09/summers_gone_and_the_time_is_r.html Updates: Scola, Battier, Andersen, Ariza, Hayes, Budinger, Taylor, Garret, and Conroy going at it in scrimmages Brooks has just joined the team Salim Stoudamire trying to make the team Chuck Hayes = Magic Johnson ... The Rockets off-season workouts have moved toward five-on-five games. They are pretty intense, too, which is to be expected with a half-dozen guys with non-guaranteed contracts in the gym with the GM, three vice presidents, four assistant coaches and two Adelmans looking on. Luis Scola, Shane Battier and David Andersen have joined the regulars. (Tracy McGrady is still in Chicago, getting a last few days of work in with Tim Grover and posing for pictures.) Trevor Ariza is playing, along with the usual suspects (Chuck Hayes, Chase Budinger, Jermaine Taylor Garrett Temple and Will Conroy). James White got in one final Toyota Center run before he was traded to Denver. Aaron Brooks joined the workout late after his medical testing. And there was one new face, Salim Stoudamire, who would love to bring his jumper to training camp. To me, the highlight of the games was Chuck Hayes going Magic Johnson. He had several occasions in which he grabbed the defensive rebound and took off, leading fast breaks and finishing his last one. As for things the Rockets might actually do during real games, Ariza looks very good and in phenomenal shape. The guy doesn't sweat. He did not hit some of the shots he will have to, but then, few did. Battier looked very good, but did not hit his shots. Taylor looks better than he did in Las Vegas. He was less of a ball stopper, finished well and was more discerning with his jumpers. Other than that, Scola, Budinger and Conroy (who really looks like he belongs) made the shots you would expect. Andersen knocked down a few and had a few sharp passes. Dorsey blocked a few shots and generally looked good. Mostly, it was good to see real basketball again. ... More news on Chuck, btw, from Morey and Friedman tweets in past few days: Friedman: "Battier and Scola are here and have joined 5-on-5 runs at TC. Both look great. Chuck Hayes wreaking havok as always with his energy & hustle" 9:48 AM Sep 21st from UberTwitter Morey: Great 5x5 turnout today with AB/CB/TA/JW/WC/GT/DA/BC/CH/JD. Highlight was a Chuck Hayes throw down! Rest of team in by early next week. 8:35 PM Sep 18th from web
Still some distaste for Mcgrady I see... Thank God preseason starts in 14 days.. I need to watch some freaking basketball!
Stoudamire could be a nice addition, sort of like instant offense, designated shooter type that Wafer was. He has one of the best strokes in the league with a very quick release. 8 ppg, 36% from 3 in 17 mpg so far in his career.
Such delight reading about Rockets basketball. I'll take the 42 W's JF was referencing...I'll even be sated with 32 and competing nightly, developing mightily (and winning the ping pong ball-a-thon).
We could do a lot worse for a third guard than Salim Stoudamire. He's limited, but has talent. What kind of medical evaluations is Brooks going through?
I don't know but he played 5 on 5 so don't think it's to bad. .... Anyone know that Chinese websites that has Rockets pictures on it? The website that took a bunch of pointless pictures of David Andersen stretching.
So close to finally seeing basketball, man i've been sufficating with out it........"Im a basketball junkie and I need my fix" -rocketblaze
Did anyone note this from the Blog: Daryl Morey is still working the phones... Meanwhile, the single most logical 2-1 deal in the Association: Dorsey + Cook + $/difference = Gasol, the junior. There are no shots remaining for a Grizz and Gasol doesn't board enough to put back the only shots he could get. Heisley will buy into Dorsey selling seats. It's a natural. (But isn't Barbosa/Shane also a natural fit both ways???)
What medical test are they referring about Brooks? I would assume it would be a routine test before re-joining camp,but I'm not sure.
Salim! Another NCAA cult hero like Acie Law. Unfortunately his 'spew hot fiah' range did not extend to the NBA three.
