Rockets News

"Yao Ming’s Olympic experience in his home country – and maybe his Olympic career – came to an end on Wednesday with a 94-68 loss to Lithuania in the quarterfinal round. Yao shot 4-for-8 from the field, scored 19 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but it was not enough to overcome the large and powerful frontline of Lithuania. The Rockets’ 7-6 center, playing 33½ minutes, his longest stint of the Olympics, was double-teamed from the opening tip, but his teammates could not convert enough opportunities that presented. “I think we have taken a journey on Olympic history,” Yao said. “I am glad at the situation, but am regrettable about the results.” China won two games in the preliminary ..."

"After two critical wins that already made their host Olympic experience a success, the question was whether Yao Ming and Team China were prepared to take the next step by beating one of the traditional powers in international basketball. With Greece still feeling the sting of the thrashing they took at the hands of the high-flying Americans, the other question was whether Vassilis Spanoulis and his pals might be willing to sacrifice (dump?) one game now for a chance to get out of Team USA’s half of the tournament bracket. The answers were: no and no. An almost effortless win by Greece ended China’s modest two-game winning streak and sent the conspiracy theorists scrambling to find ..."

"Every time he made a shot, Yao Ming pumped his first. Each time one of his teammates made a play, he nodded his head vigorously and slapped them on the back. The opening game against Team USA was a social event, a world-wide happening. This was the game Yao wanted. This was the one China needed to win to declare its Olympic experience as hosts a success. With Yao pouring in 25 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, China made that statement with a 59-55 win over Germany on Saturday. When the horn finally sounded, a triumphant Yao ran to the middle of the court with both arms raised high above his head, joining his teammates in a circle for a dance. Then he ran off the floor, hooting and yelping ..."

"OK, so maybe I'm crazy. But I'm going to miss the guy. Ron Artest found a pulse in Arco Arena, infused a locker room with his emotional energy, and for the better part of three seasons, both earned and commanded attention. He was the Kings' best player, most consistent performer, most dynamic figure. But there is such a thing as overstaying your visit, and for the sake of the Kings - and Geoff Petrie's sanity - this was the time to say goodbye. At 6-foot-7 and 250 pounds, Artest always will be a load. He leaves bruises here, just as he did in Chicago and Indiana. He is mercurial and enigmatic, and can charm and infuriate within a matter of minutes, but he is totally exhausting. This is the ..."

"If he had been competing in weightlifting instead of basketball at the Olympics, Yao Ming might have felt like both ends of the bar were loaded down with the burden of an entire nation. But Yao made it look as easy as doing the clean-and-jerk with bags of cotton candy on a stick, hitting 10 of 11 shots for 30 points, grabbing seven rebounds and blocking four shots in China’s 85-68 win over Angola on Thursday. After blowing a double-digit fourth-quarter lead against Spain, it was a critical win that keeps alive China’s hope of advancing out of the preliminary round of the Olympic tournament. And the question coming into the game was whether Yao and his teammates would be suffering an ..."

"The Rockets had waited 18 days to speak publicly of their trade for Ron Artest, forced to wait even to make Thursday’s announcement that the deal had been completed. Rockets owner Leslie Alexander, however, has had his patience tested for more than a decade since the Rockets’ last playoff series win, and for 13 seasons since the second of the back-to-back championships. It was not just the trade that he was ready to announce. This, he said, losing his battle with restraint, would herald the Rockets’ return to contender status. “So far the biggest trade (was for) Clyde (Drexler) because we won a championship,” Alexander said, considering his history of blockbuster deals. “Tracy (McGrady) ..."

"Today is the day Kings fans either have been anticipating or dreading. All indications are that Ron Artest-to-Houston deal will be become official now that Donte Greene's contract is one month old. As it stands, the deal basically will be Artest for Greene, Bobby Jackson and a draft pick, but it will have big ramifications for the Kings. Over the past month, when word of the deal first surfaced, the reaction was all over the board. Some fans said the Brothers Maloof and Kings basketball guru Geoff Petrie were already dumping the upcoming season while others were glad to see Artest go. Let's look at the bigger picture: To move forward, you often have to take a step back. Rarely in sports ..."

"The Kings added two Ron Artest reunion dates Wednesday after announcing they will face the Houston Rockets twice in the exhibition season. Artest's departure can't officially be recognized until today, but many fans already have circled the three regular-season games against the Rockets on the Kings' schedule. The first of the Kings' eight exhibition games is in Portland, Ore., against the Trail Blazers on Oct. 7. The Kings face Oklahoma City, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics, Oct. 10 at Arco Arena before traveling to Las Vegas to play the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 12. The Kings have four home exhibitions, one of which is in Stockton. Sacramento faces the Los Angeles Clippers and their ..."

"Wouldn’t it be refreshing if the Rockets had enough guts to take a stand with Rafer Alston? Don’t hold your breath. Hell will freeze over before a professional sports team holds an athlete accountable for bad behavior. Yes, the Chicago Bears waived Cedric Benson after his second arrest this year, but the fact Benson had been a bust on the field surely made it easier for them to take action regarding his behavior off it. Maybe teams don’t care what kind of people they have in uniform because they know you don’t care. Artest faces scrutiny The Rockets were widely praised for obtaining a guy with baggage ranging from domestic violence to animal cruelty to an assortment of suspensions, fines ..."

"Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is scheduled to appear in court Thursday after being arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated last week. Alston, 32, was arrested Thursday after a Houston police officer noticed a car make an erratic lane change in the 3000 block of Washington about 2:55 a.m. Alston also was traveling without his headlights on, police spokesman Victor Senties said. Alston is scheduled to make his first court appearance before Harris County Court at Law Judge Jean Spradling Hughes on Thursday morning. Alston remains free on $500 bond. The charge against Alston is considered a misdemeanor because it would be his first offense. “We are aware of the situation and are ..."

"Houston Rockets point guard Rafer Alston is due in court Thursday for an arraignment on a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.Alston, 32, was arrested about 2:30 a.m. last Thursday and released on a $500 bond, police records show. A call to his agent, Dan Fegan, was not immediately returned Tuesday. The Rockets had no immediate comment, team spokesman Nelson Luis said. The arrest was first reported by KRIV-TV in Houston."

"Yao Ming understands the long history of basketball in China and the passion that his countrymen have for the game. What he’s hoping for is understanding and compassion for his Chinese national team in the Olympic tournament that begins today. “It is funny to me that the most difficult tickets (to obtain) for the Olympics is the hurdles final with Liu Xiang and every game that we play,” Yao said. “I mean, Liu has already won a gold medal in Athens, and he held the world record. We don’t have a shot at any kind of medal. I hope people are not disappointed.” China’s realistic goal is to advance out of the preliminary round to reach the quarterfinals, which would equal the nation’s best ..."

"The trade isn't official yet. And it won't be until Aug. 14, or so we've heard. But mark April 9 on your calendar with a big red Sharpie. That's the day Ron Artest returns to Arco Arena as a Houston Rocket. That's about eight months away, and a lot will happen between now and then. But it will be interesting to see how he will be greeted. Will you cheer him for playing hard and lifting the Kings to their last playoff appearance? Or will you jeer him for his off-the-court troubles and selfish demeanor? They say time heals all wounds, but most of the fan anger seems to be at the Kings for trading him and not Artest for being Artest. Between now and then, the Kings will visit Houston ..."

"At first glance, the release of the Rockets 2008-09 schedule would appear to mark the end of the offseason’s run of promising developments. It is brutal early, when the Rockets seemingly would need time to work in offseason acquisitions Ron Artest and Brent Barry. It has a midseason run of back-to-backs that will have the Rockets playing six games in nine nights, with several trips that would indicate the NBA does not own a map. It finishes with a rush of teams expected to contend for Western Conference playoff spots . Upon further inspection, however, the Rockets have reason to be encouraged, starting with the similarities to last season’s schedule, from which they extracted 55 wins ..."

"As China prepares to stand tall by hosting its first Olympic Games, it is only fitting that 7-6 Yao Ming will carry his nation’s flag into the Bird’s Nest stadium at Friday’s Opening Ceremonies. A person with knowledge of the decision, who is not permitted to speak officially, confirmed the Rockets’ center, after carrying the Olympic torch through the main gate of the Forbidden City on Wednesday, will be the Chinese flag bearer for his second straight Olympics. Yao would not say that he has been chosen for the honor. The Chinese delegation is expected to make its announcement on Thursday morning, Houston time. “Of course, I want to be the flag bearer again,” Yao said. “I have experience. ..."

"Rockets and Chinese national team center Yao Ming continued his whirlwind Olympic experience on Wednesday by carrying the Olympic Flame through the main gate of the Forbidden City. "It is hard for me to separate everything that is happening right now," Yao said. "To carry the flame is an honor among many that I have had at previous Olympics and at this one. But it is the kind of experience that I will appreciate most many years from now when I am older and can look back." Yao said he never expected to be the one to light the Olympic cauldron at the Opening Ceremonies. "I believe it is an honor that will probably go to one of our older Olympians or athletes," he said. "Someone who was a ..."

"The Rockets expect to trim their roster and their bloated collection of forwards today by dealing Steve Novak to the Los Angeles Clippers, an individual with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday. The Rockets will receive future draft considerations from Los Angeles. This will likely include the right to switch places with the Clippers in a second round. It is unclear which season that would be because both teams have future second- round commitments. The Rockets selected Novak, 25, in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft. A 6-10 forward, he averaged 2.7 points in 70 NBA games, making 44.1 percent of his shots and 42.7 percent of his 3-pointers."

"The NBA today released its complete game schedule and broadcast schedules of ABC, TNT, ESPN and NBA on ESPN Radio for the 2008-09 season. The NBA's Countdown to Tip-Off 08 presented by Kia Motors has begun with opening night 83 days away. The 2008-09 season tips off on TNT, which marks Turner Sports’ 25th season of NBA game action, with a doubleheader on Tuesday, Oct. 28, that features the Boston Celtics opening up defense of their NBA championship by hosting 2007-08 NBA scoring champion LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers at 8 p.m. ET. The second game features the first regular season game for the top overall selection in the 2007 NBA Draft presented by Sprite Greg Oden and the ..."

"The Rockets expect to trim their roster and their bloated collection of forwards today by dealing Steve Novak to the Los Angeles Clippers, an individual with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday. The Rockets will receive future draft considerations from Los Angeles. This will likely include the right to switch places with the Clippers in a second round. It is unclear which season that would be because both teams have future second- round commitments. The Rockets selected Novak, 25, in the second round of the 2006 NBA draft. A 6-10 forward, he averaged 2.7 points in 70 NBA games, making 44.1 percent of his shots and 42.7 percent of his 3-pointers. The highlight of his two seasons with the ..."

"There is already something conflicting about the Houston Rockets. This is a team that rolled up 22 consecutive victories last season, but managed a 24-20 record just before going on the second-greatest winning streak in league history and finished 11-11 as part of the traditional first-round playoff loss. Ron Artest can't splinter them. He can shake them up, though, and the locker room of the Toyota Center is one of the few places where that might be a good thing, given the personality of the Rockets and their history of annual early postseason exits. If lobbing Artest into this group of good guys creates a concern that a passive roster will get run over by his strong will, especially if ..."

"Ron-Ron is gone-gone, and exactly why no one knows. Exactly is the key word, because Ron Artest was traded not only because the Kings feared a season-long negative attitude after learning he was not in the team's long-term future. There's no way the Kings unload an asset - and regardless of anything connected with his history, Artest remained a coveted player - for Bobby Jackson, a 2009 first-round draft choice and rookie Donte Greene unless there was more to their discontent. Artest played too hard for that to be the case. The Kings could have traded for more established talent,but the team's goal remains creating sizeable cap room for the summer of 2010. Then again, a cap angel could ..."

"At the Rockets’ core were two guys who’d been there for years, both tremendous talents, the faces of the franchise. But after a season in which one of those players suffered a serious injury that cost him much of the season, the team was going nowhere. Even with the duo for more than 20 points a game apiece the previous season, the team was stuck in a rut. They’d gone a decade without any real postseason success. Scenario not unique So in the offseason, the team goes out and adds another veteran who’d eclipsed the 20 point per game mark the season before. But they still hang on to the first two, the faces of the franchise, in an effort to win now with a team packed with veteran stars. ..."

"Yao Ming has quickly squashed any potential rift that could have developed with new teammate Ron Artest prior to the volatile forward's arrival in Houston. Earlier this week, it was widely reported that Artest would be coming to the Rockets from Sacramento for a 2009 first-round pick, guard Bobby Jackson and another player -- likely rookie forward Donte Greene. However, the trade can't officially be announced yet: Greene signed a contract with Houston on July 14, and, according to NBA rules, a player can't be traded within 30 days of signing a deal. According to the Houston Chronicle, Yao was generally excited about the move, but had some reservations as to whether Artest would be a good ..."

"Ron Artest wanted to be judged by actions, not by anything he had said or was about to say. So when asked how he felt about the trade completed just days ago that will send him to the Rockets, he immediately pointed to something he had already done. “I got my house already,” he said. “About to get settled in and start working out.” Any wariness that he had Wednesday about Yao Ming’s comments was gone, ended by a conversation with Yao that Artest said “was great.” Yao had generally praised Artest and the trade, but had said he was concerned about “chemistry” and made a joking reference to the incident when Artest went into the stands after a fan, inspiring Artest to say he would be happy to ..."

"Contract negotiations with Dikembe Mutombo will likely be on hold until Mutombo and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey return from the Olympics, but Mutombo’s agent, David Falk, said Thursday that he doubted that Mutombo would play another season if the Rockets offer only the veteran’s minimum. “It would surprise me if they thought he would come back for the veteran’s minimum,” Falk said. “I’ve know (Rockets owner) Leslie Alexander for a long time. Dikembe has a very good relationship with Les. We’ll get together when we get back and see if there can be a situation for Dikembe to consider playing another season.” Rockets general manager Daryl Morey did not say what sort of offer he ..."

"Don't start selling those Ron Artest jerseys in the Houston red just yet. The small forward is exchanging words with his new teammates even before setting foot in his new locker room. One day after the Kings and Rockets agreed in principle on a trade that would send Artest to Houston and bring Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and a first-round pick Sacramento's way, Artest went on the defensive by phone to The Bee in response to comments made by Yao Ming. It was a most inauspicious start to this union, one that is no more than a handshake deal at the moment. Because of the nature of Greene's contract, he cannot officially be traded until Aug. 14. In other words, there's plenty of time for the ..."

"Let’s get the basketball stuff out of the way first, because that’s the easy part. Any conversation about next season’s NBA champion will include the Rockets, and when is the last time that was the case? Ron Artest doesn’t just make this team better. He makes it dramatically better. He brings a dimension of mental and physical toughness the Rockets haven’t had. He’s a lock-down defensive player and is coming off a season in which he averaged 20.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. If he behaves himself, the Rockets will have three of the NBA’s 30 best players. Rick Adelman will have all kinds of flexibility in regard to matchups and tempo. The Lakers, Spurs and Hornets may have comparable talent, ..."

"Half a world away, reaction to the news of the Rockets getting Ron Artest was a pair of Olympic thumbs working overtime. Yao Ming and Luis Scola spent Wednesday morning furiously exchanging test messages and opinions after word of the deal broke out of Houston. "For some reason, I like (Artest)," Yao said. "Because in the games we play against him, I hate him. "When I text messaged with Luis, we talked about team chemistry. That's only what worries us. "We worry about the new attitude to the team. We are adding talent to the team and we need that, but building team chemistry is important. This is not bad. I don't mean he is not welcome to Houston. But a new player always needs some time. ..."

"It did not take long for the Rockets to get their first taste of the enigmatic, complicated and often contradictory nature of Ron Artest. Artest, who will be dealt to the Rockets on Aug. 14 in a trade completed Tuesday afternoon, told the Sacramento Bee he was excited about going to the Rockets but would join them only if they are committed to him. Much of Artest’s hesitance was an apparent reaction to Yao Ming’s wariness of the trade, expressed Wednesday on the Chronicle’s Web site. “We’ve still got to make sure there’s still a commitment,” Artest told the Bee. “That’s the main thing. When I speak to the powers-that-be of the Houston Rockets organization, we’re going to find out how much ..."

"It was tough to tell over the shrieking celebration with noisemakers and streamers, but they'll love the Ron Artest trade in Houston, too. A deal with the framework of Bobby Jackson, Donte Greene and what figures to be a late first-round pick in 2009 for a talented forward, with minor parts likely to be added before becoming official Aug. 14, is an escape route for the Kings and a no-brainer for the Rockets in a way the NBA rarely has no-brainers. Of course, it never has just been about Artest the basketball talent, as you may have heard. It's just that he's a decreasing risk by the day, entering the final season of his contract at a manageable $7.4 million and unable to do any real damage ..."

"The news arrived on 19-year-old Phil Johnson's phone Tuesday. Ron Artest - traded to Houston. As Johnson walked through midtown Sacramento in a Lakers jersey, he was still piecing together the details of the trade but said he could hear Rockets fans cheering. "This is better for Houston," Johnson said. "You have Ron Artest with T-Mac (Tracy McGrady). That's what (McGrady's) been waiting for." But Houston's gain is not to suggest that many Kings fans weren't rooting for the possibility of seeing Artest in something other than purple. "Goodbye, Ron Artest. I won't miss you," said Tom Schmidt, 48, a Kings season ticket holder from Citrus Heights. "I think it's better for the team. Let's move ..."

"Ron-Ron is about to be gone-gone. A source close to the Kings said Tuesday a trade has been agreed upon sending Ron Artest to Houston for former Kings point guard Bobby Jackson, first-round draft pick Donte Greene, next season's first-round pick and cash considerations of approximately $1 million. The deal, the source said, cannot be finalized until Aug. 14 because of the nature of Greene's contract. A Rockets official who requested anonymity because of the private nature of trade talks said of the likely deal: "It feels very done to me." A second source close to the Kings said second-round draft picks Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing Jr. could be sent to Houston as a means to keep the ..."

"This could be the finest hour Daryl Morey ever has as a general manager. This could also be a deal that lives in Rockets infamy. This could be a bold master stroke that propels the Rockets to greatness, makes them a team Houston truly clutches to its bosom again. This could also be the best-laid plan that causes Morey and coach Rick Adelman to wake up screaming in the middle of the night for the rest of their natural lives. Most truths in life lie somewhere in the middle of two extremes. When it comes to Ron Artest, life is one extreme or another. Artest is beauty and the beast in one 6-7, 248-pound package of contradictions and mood swings. The Latin translation of his name is caveat ..."

"In what had been a quiet offseason, the Rockets are about to make a lot of noise. In a stunning move designed to push them from solid playoff team toward legitimate NBA contender, the Rockets reached agreement Tuesday with the Sacramento Kings to acquire gifted but controversial forward Ron Artest, according to an NBA executive with knowledge of the deal. The Rockets will give up guard Bobby Jackson, a No. 1 draft pick next season and another player whom the individual with knowledge of the trade could not name. Rockets general manager Daryl Morey declined to comment. Rookie forward Donté Greene, whom the Rockets acquired in a series of draft-night trades, will be included in the trade and ..."

"Ron Artest didn't opt out, then doubted his decision, asked for a trade, then backed off. It looks like none of that is Sacramento's problem anymore. NBA front-office sources confirmed to ESPN.com that Artest will be dealt to the Rockets in exchange for Houston's first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can't be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then. The trade -- which will reunite Artest with Rick Adelman, one of his favorite coaches -- was ..."

"More than three weeks into free agency, Rockets restricted free-agent forward Carl Landry is generating more conversation but is still roughly where he started. His agent said Thursday that Landry is not considering any specific offer, no decision is imminent, and nothing has changed in Landry’s options. Buddy Baker said he could give any one of several NBA teams the go-ahead to present an offer, but Landry is weighing his options. “We’ve had teams interested in what we think Carl’s value is and saying what they think Carl’s value is,” Baker said. “We’re waiting to finalize that. It’s not, 'We’ll give you this.’ It’s more, 'We’re very interested, what are you thinking?’ “If he wanted me to ..."

"The agent for restricted free agent forward Carl Landry says his client may entertain offers to play overseas. "Carl would entertain all serious offers," Landry's agent, Buddy Baker, told Houston television station KRIV-TV on Wednesday. "There is serious interest in Carl by both other NBA teams and internationally." Landry was a rookie for the Houston Rockets last season and averaged 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds a game."

"Dean Cooper, elevated to Rockets vice president of player personnel before last season, accepted a position with the Minnesota Timberwolves to become an assistant coach, an individual with knowledge of the decision said Monday."

"For a few days, the Rockets got to feel good about their draft choices. Donté Greene showed his shooting touch and range. Joey Dorsey, playing in just two games, demonstrated his energy and intensity. Aaron Brooks, last season’s top pick, worked to reshape himself into a more traditional point guard. Then the Las Vegas NBA Summer League ended (the Rockets went 3-2, with both losses coming in overtime), and there was a renewed sense of the work still to be done for the summer players expected to be on the regular-season team and for management still shaping that team."

"Sometime, somewhere today, dictated entirely by habit and reflex, Donté Greene will have his eyes wide, mouth open and arms raised or hands outstretched just itching for a chance to catch and inevitably shoot. This was his role with the Rockets' Summer League team. It fit with his most NBA-ready skill, and it was enough for Greene to demonstrate why he is convinced and the Rockets hope he was a steal with the 28th pick taken in the draft last month. But the key as he moves from the Summer League to the regular-season Rockets will be adding to his unusual length and uncanny touch to be enough of a well-rounded player to get playing time with the veterans."

"If Maarty Leunen wanted to suck up his way onto the Rockets' roster, he had his chance. David Adelman, Rockets coach Rick Adelman's son and assistant coach R.J. Adelman's brother, had told of the 2004 Oregon state semifinals when Leunen was the star at Redmond High School and David Adelman was an assistant coach at Portland Jesuit. "He owned me in high school," David Adelman said. "He went for 30 (points) and 20 (rebounds), but he got every call. He brought it up and posted up, but he got every call. I mean, every call.""

"Joey Dorsey ached to play, but sat, trapped on the Rockets' bench where he nagged himself with constant reminders of all he had to learn but could not while he was sitting out. He skipped the first game of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League while his agent initially insisted Dorsey sign a contract before he would play. It was just one game, but at the time, there was little hope he would play soon. So Dorsey insisted he find his way off the bench. He accepted the Rockets' offer to purchase insurance and giddily bounced about the Thomas & Mack court, with all the energy and some of the recklessness the Rockets expected when they picked him in last month's draft maneuvers."

"Yao Ming is back, transforming China's basketball team and providing a big relief for Olympic organizers. The Rockets center marked his return from injury Thursday with 11 points in 12 minutes of play for the Chinese national team in an Olympic warmup against a Serbian squad. Entering six minutes into the first quarter to huge applause from the crowd in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou, Yao appeared a little rusty, but made a solid contribution to China's kickoff 96-72 victory in the four-team Stankovic Cup tournament. The game was Yao's first since a stress fracture in his left foot ended his NBA season in February and threatened his star turn as part of China's team."

"The 6-2 Alston, a nine-year NBA veteran, could be spending his summer doing just about anything. Traveling. Sitting by the pool. Relaxing with family and friends. Instead, Alston, who turns 32 next week, is spending evenings and weekends in crowded, humid gymnasiums across the Northeast and elsewhere teaching young men from his old neighborhood the finer points of the game he loves. He chose to coach the 16-and-under New York Panthers grassroots basketball team and guided it to the Reebok Summer Classic East championship last weekend at Rider University."

"Joey Dorsey's Summer League holdout lasted one game. After Dorsey sat out the first game because contract negotiations were not complete, Dorsey's agent and the Rockets reached an agreement to allow Dorsey to begin playing."

"Others seek a last stab at finally winning a championship. But Brent Barry has won two of those. Some chase the money. But Barry has made his share. The NBA way is to seek both of the above. But Barry knew what he wanted. He has, he guesses, two more seasons as an NBA player. He wanted to remain with a contender and said Wednesday that with good health the Rockets could be that. But he wanted his last seasons in the NBA to be with a team that would give him a chance to do the things he believes he can do, to play and play the style that might suit him best."

"Rockets general manager Daryl Morey told the Associated Press on Wednesday that Tracy McGrady is happy in Houston and was surprised at how reports characterized his interest in being traded to Detroit. Morey spoke a day after an ESPN reporter said McGrady had told him he would be interested in playing for the Pistons. Last week, a Canadian-based media outlet reported without citing sources that Detroit was making a run at the seven-time All-Star. Morey said he talked to McGrady on Wednesday morning. ``He said he wanted to win and they (the media) ran with it,'' Morey said. ``He said he's happy in Houston. He just was surprised how it all came out.''"

"At least it seems everybody can agree on this: Tracy McGrady is happy. Whether the Houston Rockets will trade him to, say, the Pistons, is another matter. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith stirred that pot Tuesday when he said McGrady wouldn't mind coming to Detroit and joining Team Dumars. Said Smith: "Is Tracy McGrady interested? Yes, he is. I spoke to Tracy McGrady earlier. His basic thing is he's very happy in Houston, but he wants to win. So whatever is a winning situation for him is something he is more than willing to entertain.""

"Chinese newspapers say Yao Ming is likely to resume working out with China's national basketball team later this week. The Houston Rockets' center has a "very high" chance of playing in China's three games at the Stankovic Cup Olympic warmup tournament in the eastern city of Hangzhou, Hu Jiashi, deputy director of the Chinese Basketball Association was quoted as saying by newspapers. China's first game is against Serbia on Thursday."