“There are no stupid questions.”
Rockets rookie Bruce Thornton summed up not only his experience learning from veterans but what media members know when they attend the annual media day for any sports team including the Houston Rockets.
Per usual, the assembled crowd at the Hilton Americas (Toyota Center upgrades are in full swing – more on that below) was full of savvy veterans who knew what to ask and what they wanted to learn.
And what did we learn? Not a lot of substance really. That happens when you have a veteran team with only a few additions. But, if you squinted, there was plenty to see.
Fred VanVleet is back.
Probably the topic that was brought up most was the return of the team’s floor general after missing a season with a knee injury. Not only did it hurt just because VanVleet is a good player, but the lack of veteran leadership at the point was a killer, evidenced by the Rockets going from 11th to 24th in turnovers per game in his absence. FVV isn’t quite all the way back and coach Ime Udoka admitted he would likely hold his point guard out of back-to-back games to start the season as he gets back in game shape. But, just having him back as an option is huge for a team that really missed him last season.
Steven Adams is also back and still hilarious.
The Rockets center who missed half the season with what he called a “complicated” ankle injury was certainly back in midseason form when it came to his sense of humor. His “love language” is sending inappropriate memes and videos to his teammates. Much like last year, he dropped an F-bomb sending a slight shudder through the media relations staff. He ends almost every sentence with “mate,” which is wholly charming. His rebounding and toughness on the floor — GM Rafael Stone called him maybe the best screener in basketball — will be a welcome addition, nevermind the off-color memes.
Marcus Smart is giving Mario Elie.
Any old school Rockets fans remember the toughness and grit of the Junkyard Dog. Smart has a similar level of intensity and wide grin. The former Defensive Player of the Year signed with the Rockets in the offseason as a free agent and said the team was a perfect fit because of its talented roster and coach, who he played for in Boston. Smart gave the Rockets fits in the first round of the playoffs last year as a member of the Lakers. His assessment of the Rockets last year is the same as this year, “This team is very scary.” Fans are going to love seeing him in a Rockets uniform instead of defending guys wearing them.
Speaking of last year, it left a bad taste in the mouths of the core players.
Nearly every player who talked about the experience they gained from losing in the postseason last year also said they were not happy about it. It sounded like most of them sat around and stewed over the loss in the summer. “Experience beat us,” Alperen Sengun explained. He cited how the team, injuries aside, were beaten because they didn’t fully understand what the playoffs were like, even after playing in them the season before. To a man, they were clear that they were ready to turn the page, but you could tell it still sticks in their collective craw.
But the young players are hellbent on improving.
Tari Eason, fresh off a new contract, said this was the most focused offseason of his career. Why? “New money,” he explained, saying he wanted to prove his worth. Amen Thompson, also with a new deal, said he was focused on being more vocal this year, something Jabari Smith, Jr. pointed out during his presser. Reed Sheppard admitted he still had a lot to learn, but that the experience of being thrown into the spotlight last season was nothing but good for him — his coach agreed. Most of all, they really enjoy doing this together. “We grown up together,” Sengun said, “We are like brothers.”
Who the hell is Chip Engelland?
We ask because so many other people did too. Apparently, he’s a well-respected assistant the Rockets hired over the summer. His specialty: shooting the basketball. He spent 17 years in San Antonio, where he worked with Udoka, and then went on to Oklahoma City. Media were all over guys like Thompson about the possible improvements Engelland could help provide. Who knows if it will work, but everyone seemed interested.
Kevin Durant was very Kevin Durant-y.
Durant is back for his second season with the Rockets and unlike media day in year one, he was a little less affable and a tad more spicy. During one question about limiting his minutes this year, he abruptly interrupted, “Why?” When the obvious explanation of protecting him was offered, he responded, “I’m better when I’m on the court. The team’s better when I’m on the court.” He also wasn’t interested in discussing where he would be after this season or even much about what happened in the summer — “you can’t tell in pickup games how guys are going to be during the season” — but he said he was excited for day one of camp. OK.
Meanwhile, lots of new looks all around.
To a person who was asked, the new ketchup and mustard uniforms are a hit. Sheppard’s shaggy ‘do that got him some attention on social media will not survive the preseason. He intends to cut it prior to the trip to China. We got a peek at some photos of the Toyota Center renovations that are happening. The suites look cool and there is new lighting and new black seats throughout the lower bowl. Be aware that the entrance is going to be undergoing a ton of work all season long, so there will be alternate ways to get into the stadium for games — for concerts, you won’t even be able to use the main entrance. Work should be done next fall.
