[Chron] Winning Leads List for Alexander (rockets wanted artest)

Jan. 28, 2006, 11:00PM
Winning leads list for Alexander


By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Yes, the Rockets wanted Ron Artest. Not even a tough call. Desperate teams do desperate things.

''I thought with a new club, a new experience, he'd have a couple of years where he'd try to be the best he could be," Rockets owner Les Alexander said. ''He likes Houston. We thought he could help us."

The Sacramento Kings agreed. They won the Artest lottery this week, beating out several teams to acquire the combustible star from the Indiana Pacers.

''There were a lot of things that were in a team's favor of getting Artest right now," Alexander said.

The Rockets were interested in Artest for the same reason the Broncos and Dolphins might make a run at Terrell Owens. They believe the potential greatness outweighs the risks. And there's money. Artest's contract is up after next season. He's on trial for the next 18 months. A rotation with Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady and Artest could play deep into May.

Alexander offered this nugget about Artest during a 90-minute lunch in which he touched on an array of topics, beginning with his 15-27 team. He doesn't do many interviews, but on this day, he's open, funny and talkative. He makes it clear that a lower profile doesn't mean he's less involved than any other owner in town. He's just less visible.


Front-row view

For example, ask him about last spring's Game 7 loss to Dallas and he says: ''I was emotionally destroyed."

All that many fans know of Alexander is that he's the guy sitting stoically at midcourt for most home games. They know the Rockets are well run, that there's no public crying about finances and that the owner doesn't crave attention.

Yet the Rockets reflect his vision the same way the Astros reflect Drayton McLane's. He designed the interior of Toyota Center, ordered GM Carroll Dawson to acquire McGrady, hired Jeff Van Gundy and sometimes speaks to his top people several times each day.

He frets over details. Challenges both his basketball and business people. Wishes he could enjoy games more.

''I'm sitting there constantly thinking about the team, how we're doing, what do we need, what's the coach doing, is the building being maintained properly?" he said. ''I'm internalizing. When we get a lead, I'm just hoping it will end quickly so we can win. There are all kinds of things going on."


No kidding around

He changed the club's decision-making process after the disastrous Eddie Griffin trade, ordering more extensive background checks of potential draft choices. Over the years, he has gotten harder on the club's personnel men — are you listening, Bob McNair? — yet shows more understanding of why things sometimes don't work out as planned.

''Offer them whatever they want as long as it's not super ridiculous," he remembers telling Dawson when the McGrady discussions began.

He's competitive. He hasn't forgotten how Magic officials gloated that they'd fleeced the Rockets after that deal.

He finalized the purchase of the Rockets in July 1993. The Rockets won a championship during his first season and another in his second. He didn't even attempt to put his stamp on the franchise.

"I understood that Rudy (Tomjanovich) was brilliant," he said.

Those championships seem like an eternity ago. The Rockets had a $13.6 million payroll for the first one. This season, it's around $65 million.

''I remember sitting in my seat at the game, saying to myself, 'This is way too easy. I'm not going to appreciate it how difficult it easy to do this for awhile,' " he said.

He understands now. Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler are long gone. The Steve Francis trade didn't bring a championship. Now he's hopeful Yao and T-Mac will get him a third trophy.

''It's a very difficult process," he said. ''I think we have a great inroad into that process with Yao and Tracy being so young and being so great. But it's still a very difficult process."


Injuries deplete team

The Rockets were a popular choice to make the Western Conference finals when the season began. They won 51 games last season, pushed Dallas to seven games in a first-round playoff series and added a solid point guard (Rafer Alston) and a highly regarded (and so far underachieving) power forward in Stromile Swift.

They had two stars in McGrady and Yao and a bunch of veteran role players. And they have a terrific coach.

''I loved this team," Alexander said. ''We had all the pieces. We were deep. We had a great coach."

And then McGrady got hurt. And then Alston. And then Yao. The Rockets have had their three most important players together in the starting lineup five times. As a result, the Rockets lost 25 of their first 37. They're 0-16 when McGrady isn't around for the finish.

''It makes you sick inside," he said. ''Sometimes I have to turn the television off when we're losing. I can't take it physically. It's sad. I hate to look like a loser. When you can't win, it's horrible.'"

McGrady and Alston are back. Yao should return next week. Is there still time?

''I think we've got a real good shot at it," he said. ''We're (5 1/2 ) games away from the last spot. If we get in, we'll be a tough seed. Our record won't indicate exactly where we are."

(He might be overly optimistic. They entered Saturday with the worst record in the West and six teams to pass. And while their front line might be as good as any once Yao returns, they probably need more perimeter offense to make a legitimate run.)


Van Gundy's way

I ask about Van Gundy's decision to force his players to eat sandwiches instead of the usual bountiful locker room buffet. Doesn't that qualify as cruel and unusual?

''Does it say a lot about how he operates and how he is? Definitely," Alexander said. ''I'd only hire a coach who was dedicated to winning. That's all Jeff cares about. That's all he thinks about. Those guys may go to extremes once in awhile. That's because they care so much about winning. That's Jeff's way."

Is he concerned about McGrady's injuries considering he has made a long-term financial commitment?

''Definitely," he said. ''As an owner and someone who wants to win, you always look at everything. You see the injuries, and it bothers you. He's such a great player that it's a risk well taken. You don't get players like that very often. No one is trading Kobe (Bryant). No one is trading (Tim) Duncan. We were lucky to get him."

Perhaps because he offers so few glimpses of himself in public, he's almost never an object of criticism. Or maybe it's because fans can see how badly he wants to win, how he puts his money where his mouth is.


Money never a problem

In one breath, he says the NBA's luxury-tax threshold serves as his franchise's salary cap. And in the next breath, he adds: ''Unless a great player comes along."

''That's one thing about the fans in this town," he said. ''If they know you're trying, if they see you're competitive, they love you. They're with you. I get stopped on the street and in the arena constantly. People say, 'Thanks for the job you do. We know you want to win.' "

richard.justice@chron.com

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