COUNTDOWN TO LIFTOFF
Examining the most interesting things said at Rockets Media Day
Sep 28, 2021, 12:10 pm
Christian Wood should be set to have a big year. Composite image by Jack Brame.
rocket
Houston Rockets Media Day was eventful with new faces and optimistic energy. Jalen Green seemed excited to be a Rocket and to be playing in the NBA. "It's a dream come true. I'm super happy. It's a blessing," Green said. Coach Stephan Silas seems refreshed after a catastrophic season last year. He had a huge smile as he walked into the room before answering questions alongside GM Rafael Stone.
"Last year was challenging. It started off one way, then we had a bunch of changes and COVID and injuries and everything. I learned a lot last year and I learned a lot from a bunch of our guys, as far as them sticking with it and playing hard at the end and who we could depend on," Silas said. "Then the older guys who were injured but still staying with the group and happy about being Rockets. Then we have our new guys who are kind of fitting in to what we did last year. I'm super excited about the future of this group."
There is a ton of speculation on how Silas and Stone will handle the roster for this season, as it is talented. The Rockets are extremely grateful to have a talented roster, as their training camp should be competitive. Players at the bottom of the roster are playing for minutes or just to even make the team in Houston. And players that won't make the team are auditioning for other rosters in the NBA and the G-League.
"It's going to be up to Rafael and I to get [a] feel for who plays well together," Silas said. Who might not be able to play as well together… And I'm not going to make any decisions about starting lineup or playing groups."
Silas even elaborated on the combo of Kevin Porter Jr. and Green, and the type of offensive gadgets he wants to revolve around the two. Those two are very explosive and versatile and know Silas wants the combination to push the tempo by running the floor and creating space. Green's goal is to win Rookie of the Year underneath Silas. "The goal is to win Rookie of the Year and the fact that I didn't go number one is certainly motivation," Green said.
"The type of style Rafael and I believe in is playing fast and playing with a bunch of space. Letting those guys play to their strengths and getting the ball moved from side to side", Silas said. "Scoot [Porter]is bringing it up one side and get it to Jalen on the other side and vice versa. I don't think we got to do anything tricky at all. Both are good ball handlers, athletic, and gifted."
A lot is on the line for Christian Wood this season
Christian Wood should be set to have a big year, as he had a breakout year of 21 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 51/37.4/63.1 percent from the field. "For the first time in my career, I saw myself involved in trade talks after having a breakout season... I'm even more motivated than I was before," said Wood. Wood has a big year in front of him, as it could be a contract year for him too. During the offseason he focused more on his shooting and passing, so he can become more consistent throughout the season.
"Finishing, passing, shooting… I feel like there were times where my shot would get inconsistent. I want to be able to shoot more consistently," Wood said. "I want to be able to pass out of double teams. I feel like [I'll] see a lot more double teams this season."
Wood will have more company alongside him this season, which is Daniel Theis. Theis plays a huge part for the Rockets on offense and defense, as he is great at creating space with his body because of his IQ. He is a terrific screener on offense for point guards inside the two-man game and a decent rebounder, as the big man averaged 5.5 rebounds per game last season. Theis believes Wood and him will be able to click well in the paint.
"Definitely. We can play together, play fast, we can get stops, and run. I played in a big lineup in Boston, I played alongside Vucevic in Chicago," Theis said. "Similar to spacing to the floor with Christian [Wood]. With us now, it's just learning how to play with each other and read the other guy. When we play pick-and-roll, the other guy has to roll, and the other guy has to space."
Porter Jr. became the biggest focus in the offseason after having a good sophomore season, which had a big jump from 10 points to 16 points per game and shot 42.5 percent from the field. He started off rough with the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he was traded to Houston for a second-round pick because of an altercation with GM Koby Atlman. Porter said he battled with depression and love for the game. Ever since he came to Houston, it helped revamp is career in the NBA. He gave credit to John Lucas and Silas for helping, and the organization as whole.
"They gave me love and confidence in myself, and motivation to become a better player and person. They've invested a lot in me, and I try to give them my all to repay them in some way," Porter said. "This organization saved my life, potentially. I just love being here, and I want to be here for a while."
Porter has seen a ton of support from his teammates like Green and other players around the NBA. "He's always making plays and the pass, and he can go get a bucket. He's got the whole package," Green said. Chris Brickley, his trainer, gave Porter a ton of respect regarding his game on Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes' podcast, All the Smoke, on Thursday.
"He is so talented, he is a beast and everyone sees it (Kevin Porter Jr.). James [Harden] is like yo, make sure we work together this summer. He is a hooper. He has handle, he can shoot, he is athletic," Brickley said.
SCOOT on his trainer @Cbrickley603 #Rockets pic.twitter.com/I2f00EAySf
— Zach Allen (@RenzoTheDon) September 27, 2021
Everyone wants to know why John Wall and Stone have agreed to find a better situation for him. "We all just came together and felt it was the best decision for all parties. It wasn't easy. It was tough," Wall said. It makes sense because of the new combination of Porter and Green. Although Wall isn't playing for the team this season, he'll still use his veteran presence to help the younger core until he is traded. Stone wants to do his due diligence and find him the right home, as he did with James Harden and PJ Tucker.
Media day was delightful, so on to training camp.
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How these 3 critical factors could swing battle between Texans and Jets
Oct 30, 2024, 3:06 pm
The Jets host the Texans and their scary defense on Halloween night! Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images.
Houston (6-2) at New York Jets (2-6)
Thursday, 8:15 p.m. EDT, Amazon Prime
BetMGM NFL odds: Jets by 2.
Against the spread: Texans 3-4-1; Jets 2-6.
Series record: Jets lead 7-3.
Last meeting: Jets beat Texans 30-6 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Dec. 10, 2023.
Last week: Texans beat Colts 23-20; Jets lost to Patriots 25-22.
Texans offense: overall (9t), rush (18), pass (8), scoring (14).
Texans defense: overall (2), rush (13), pass (3), scoring (15t).
Jets offense: overall (24), rush (30), pass (13), scoring (25).
Jets defense: overall (4), rush (17), pass (2), scoring (11t).
Turnover differential: Texans plus-4; Jets minus-3.
Texans player to watch
RB Joe Mixon. He has carried Houston's offense in the three games since he returned from an injury and could be even more important this week after wide receiver Stefon Diggs tore the ACL in his right knee last Sunday and is out for the season. Mixon ranks third in the NFL by averaging 100.6 yards rushing a game and has had at least 100 yards rushing and a TD run in three straight games.
Jets player to watch
Edge rusher Haason Reddick. After ending his lengthy contract holdout early last week, Reddick made his Jets debut and played 26 snaps on defense with two quarterback pressures while working mostly on third downs. His snaps might increase a bit Thursday and he could help the Jets get after C.J. Stroud, who has been sacked 22 times this season — tied for third most in the NFL.
Key matchup
Jets offensive line vs. Texans' pass rush. New York has had issues this season with injuries, consistency and protecting Aaron Rodgers. The Jets will face a tough test Thursday night against the Texans, whose 27 sacks are third in the NFL. DE Will Anderson Jr. is tied for third in the league with a career-high 7 1/2 sacks, including at least one in his past three games. DE Danielle Hunter has 5 1/2 sacks and DT Tim Settle has four, powering a formidable defensive front for Houston. Hunter leads the league with 51 quarterback pressures and Anderson is fourth with 39, the only teammates in the top 15, according to Next Gen Stats.
Key injuries
Diggs' injury leaves Houston without its top two receivers. Nico Collins, who leads the Texans with 567 yards receiving, is out for at least one more game after being placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury. ... S Calen Bullock was limited in practice Monday and Tuesday after injuring his shoulder Sunday. … LBs Azeez Al-Shaair (knee) and Henry To’oTo’o (concussion) both missed the Colts game, but could return this week. … S Jimmie Ward could miss a fifth straight game with a groin injury. … LG Jarrett Patterson is in the concussion protocol and is likely out. … RB Dameon Pierce missed practice this week with a groin injury. ... Jets LB C.J. Mosley suffered a stinger in his neck during pregame warmups at New England and was meeting with neck and spine specialists this week. ... RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), WR Allen Lazard (chest), DL Leki Fotu (knee) and safeties Tony Adams (hamstring) and Ashtyn Davis (concussion) all missed the game vs. the Patriots and their availability for this week was uncertain. ... K Greg Zuerlein was placed on IR. Riley Patterson and Spencer Shrader were signed to the practice squad, and one will be promoted for the game.
Series notes
The Jets have won the past two meetings. ... New York won the first five meetings, including the first game between the franchises in 2003, when LaMont Jordan's late 8-yard touchdown run helped lift the Jets to a 19-14 victory. ... Zach Wilson threw two touchdown passes in the most recent meeting, a 30-6 rout by New York during which Stroud left with a concussion.
Stats and stuff
The AFC South-leading Texans have won four of their past five. ... Stroud is 2-0 with three touchdowns and zero interceptions in two career starts in prime time. He had 285 yards passing last week for his ninth career game with at least that many yards passing, which is tied for second most in the NFL since 2023. ... WR Tank Dell had a touchdown reception last week and has a TD catch in two of his past three games. ... TE Dalton Schultz had a season-high 52 yards receiving against the Colts. He has two TD receptions in each of his past two Thursday night games. ... Hunter has 10½ sacks in eight career Thursday night games. … LB Neville Hewitt, who spent the 2018-21 seasons with the Jets, forced a fumble last week. … Rookie CB Kamari Lassiter had a career-high three passes defended last week. … S Jalen Pitre had his first interception of the season last week. ... S Eric Murray had seven tackles and a season-high three passes defended last week. ... New York is trying to snap a five-game skid. ... Jeff Ulbrich is 0-3 as the Jets’ interim head coach since replacing the fired Robert Saleh on Oct. 8. Ulbrich, also the team's defensive coordinator, said earlier this week he'll continue to call plays on defense. … Rodgers snapped a streak of three consecutive games with an interception. He has seven in eight games, six shy of his single-season career high set in 2008 in his first year as Green Bay’s starting quarterback. ... Rodgers hasn't passed for 300 yards since throwing for 341 against Chicago on Dec. 12, 2021 — a span of 30 regular-season games and 31 overall, including one playoff game. ... WR Garrett Wilson leads the NFL with 84 targets, 11 more than the Giants’ Malik Nabers. Wilson’s 51 receptions are second in the league behind Las Vegas’ Brock Bowers, who has 52. ... WR Davante Adams had four catches for 54 yards, giving him seven receptions for 84 yards in two games since being acquired from the Raiders. ... Second-year WR Xavier Gipson caught his first career TD pass last Sunday. ... TE Tyler Conklin has a TD catch in consecutive games after not having one since catching two TD passes in Week 8 of the 2022 season against New England. ... RB Breece Hall has 316 yards receiving, the most among NFL running backs. ... Edge rusher Will McDonald has eight sacks, second in the NFL to the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence (nine). … The Jets have only six takeaways, ranking among the fewest in the league. Backup CB Brandin Echols has New York's only two interceptions.
Fantasy tip
Houston wide receiver John Metchie is coming off a career-best three-catch game and could see more targets — and perhaps his first NFL touchdown — with both Diggs and Collins out. Might be worth a stash as a potential WR3.
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