"For the record, Rockets owner Les Alexander loves the acquisition of Kevin Martin, and believes the team will have a defensive identity again. Until then, though, things are going to be rocky.

"It's worse than frustrating," he said Thursday at the team's Tux and Tennies Gala at Toyota Center. The 15th installment of the event benefits the Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital.

"Frustrating isn't the right word. It's really hard to take."

He'd love nothing more than to reward the city with a championship, and he's working toward that. While he admitted it was difficult to part with Carl Landry, one of his favorites, it was necessary.

"In order to win big, you have to do those things," Alexander said. "I want to win big."

He's convinced Martin, whom he said makes everyone better, helps in that area and is the pure scorer the Rockets have lacked recently. The return of a certain 7-6 center is greatly anticipated as well."