Tag: Houston Rockets
Report: Harden feels fine, may travel with Westbrook to Orlando — Rockets Wire
Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni and GM Daryl Morey have each said on the record that they expect All-Star guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook to rejoin the Rockets in short order.
Both former MVPs have yet to arrive at the “bubble” complex in Florida, where the NBA’s 2019-20 season will restart later this month. The Rockets arrived last Thursday and have practiced since Saturday.
Westbrook’s absence is due to a positive test for COVID-19, for which the NBA requires a minimum period of 14 days away from the basketball court and multiple negative tests before a player can rejoin his teammates. As of Tuesday, the reason for Harden’s absence remains undisclosed.
Nonetheless, the Rockets continue to publicly insist that both will rejoin the team shortly, and it sounds as if they’re similarly confident in private settings. On Tuesday, NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic said:
James Harden is feeling fine, he has been working out to make sure that he stays in shape. He may travel with Russell Westbrook to Orlando once Westbrook clears [protocols] from the coronavirus.
Everyone around the Rockets is optimistic that they will be able to get Westbrook and Harden into Orlando, sooner rather than later.
A source tells our NBA Insider @ShamsCharania that Rockets star James Harden is feeling fine, working out and may travel with Russell Westbrook to Orlando when Westbrook clears from coronavirus. pic.twitter.com/O8CsLBxGJK
— Stadium (@Stadium) July 14, 2020
In line with Charania’s reports, D’Antoni said Monday that both stars are working out on their own to stay in shape. That’s why he expects them to “hit the ground running” once they arrive, and it’s also why D’Antoni doesn’t expect their brief absence to be a setback for the Rockets.
Since Westbrook and Harden were not on the team’s original charter flight to Florida, they must test negative three times for COVID-19 before traveling to Orlando. Late arrivers must also go through the NBA’s initial two-day period of self-quarantine and COVID-19 testing upon entering the bubble. That means they won’t be able to join their teammates on the practice court until two days after their arrival.
The 2019-20 regular season won’t resume for the Rockets until Friday, July 31 versus Dallas, which gives Harden and Westbrook (and the Rockets) plenty of wiggle room as they navigate those logistics.
Related
Westbrook, Harden are working out on their own, per Mike D’Antoni
Rockets star Russell Westbrook tested positive for COVID-19
Report: Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo forced to quarantine eight days — Canoe
Houston Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo said he “inadvertently” broke quarantine at the NBA’s complex in Florida and was ordered to self-quarantine in his hotel room for another eight days before resuming team activities, ESPN reported Monday. The report came the same day his teammate, guard Russell Westbrook, announced on social media that he had tested […]
Report: Rockets forward Bruno Caboclo forced to quarantine eight days — Canoe
James Harden, Russell Westbrook not on Rockets’ flight to Florida — Rockets Wire
Houston Rockets superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook were not on the team’s Thursday flight to Orlando for the restart of the 2019-20 season, as first reported by The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
No reason was given for the absence of the All-Star backcourt, and both former MVPs are expected to join the team “in the near future.”
Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that in addition to Harden and Westbrook, newcomer Luc Mbah a Moute and player development coach John Lucas were also not on the flight.
Harden and Westbrook were not made available in recent team media sessions, which began in July once individual workouts (for healthy players) became mandatory at Toyota Center. Robert Covington, Austin Rivers, and Eric Gordon were the only players to speak on the Zoom calls.
Can confirm that James Harden and Russell Westbrook were not on the flight to Orlando, per source. Luc Mbah a Moute and player development coach John Lucas also did not fly with the team. https://t.co/mzgSnLL894
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) July 9, 2020
Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of playing in Florida, said last weekend that some of his teammates had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). However, he did not identify who, how many, or how recently. For medical privacy reasons, NBA teams are not required to report any individual player’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
Related
Report: Thabo Sefolosha says some Rockets’ players had COVID-19
If those positive tests were recent, that could be a potential explanation for any player who isn’t initially with his team in Orlando, since the NBA required players to test negative in the days just prior to travel. Cases of COVID-19 have surged around Houston in recent weeks.
There could also be many other reasons for not being on the team flight. The Los Angeles Clippers, for example, are reportedly allowing superstar Kawhi Leonard to arrive a few days late while dealing with a family matter. Any player who does not fly on the charter must test negative three times for COVID-19 before traveling later to Orlando.
The players and coaches on the Rockets who did make Thursday’s flight to Florida will have their first team practice on Saturday. Harden, Westbrook, and Mbah a Moute will join at a later date.
All still have sufficient time to get there before Houston’s 2019-20 regular season resumes on Friday, July 31 vs. Dallas.
Related
NBA clears Mike D’Antoni for departure as Rockets fly to Florida
As Rockets head to Florida, P.J. Tucker plans for ’90 day road trip’
Sources: The NBA has informed teams that a player will not be allowed to travel with team to Orlando if he misses coronavirus test on one of two days before travel date (July 7-9). Player would then have to register three consecutive negative tests before traveling.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 4, 2020
S
Mike D’Antoni on social distancing: ‘That’s how we guard, anyway’ — Rockets Wire
Luc Mbah a Moute returning to Rockets to fill Sefolosha’s spot — Rockets Wire
Just before the NBA’s COVID-19 hiatus in March, the Houston Rockets brought in veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute for a workout.
With a roster spot now open due to Thabo Sefolosha opting out of the NBA’s restart later this month in Florida, the timing is finally right.
As reported by The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, the Rockets plan to sign Mbah a Moute to fill Sefolosha’s vacant spot. Mbah a Moute has not played for an NBA team this season, so he is eligible for a playoff roster.
Best known for his defense, the versatile 6-foot-8 forward played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 7.5 points, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 as a team that year, which was by far the best mark in franchise history.
Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players.
The Houston Rockets are planning to sign forward Luc Mbah a Moute, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2020
But Mbah a Moute dislocated his right shoulder twice during that season, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game. That injury limited his availability and effectiveness in the playoffs.
Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.
Thus, between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But if healthy, Mbah a Moute would seem to be an ideal fit for the new frontcourt emphasis of the Rockets (40-24), who are prioritizing versatile defenders such as P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington ahead of traditional centers.
Mbah a Moute’s position versatility also lines up well with Sefolosha, making him a logical replacement as Houston fills out its bench. In fact, just before signing Sefolosha last September, reports indicated that the Rockets also had interest in Mbah a Moute for the same role.
Sefolosha wasn’t expected to be in the rotation once Houston’s 2019-20 season resumes on July 31, and the same will likely be the case for Mbah a Moute. But that prior stint means that head coach Mike D’Antoni knows him well — and if issues arise with injuries or health in Florida, having trusted veterans at the end of the bench could become very important.
Related
Report: Rockets brought in Luc Mbah a Moute for a workout
Report: Rockets have held ‘extreme interest’ in Luc Mbah a Moute
I wouldn’t expect Luc Mbah a Moute to make a real impact for the Rockets, but if they need him he knows what to do. He knows the system. There’s a comfort level there, and that matters
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) July 1, 2020
George Floyd’s death brings back painful memories for NBA’s Thabo Sefolosha — Aadel Haleem
‘It seems like a culture where they just cultivate bad apples,’ Houston Rockets’ Thabo Sefolosha says the police killing of George Floyd brought back painful memories. The 36-year-old NBA veteran was a victim of police brutality in 2015, resulting in a broken leg and torn ligaments
George Floyd’s death brings back painful memories for NBA’s Thabo Sefolosha — Aadel Haleem
Daryl Morey on James Harden: ‘Privately, he’s a basketball genius’ — Rockets Wire
Houston Rockets news: Rockets set to reopen practice facility on Monday — Houston Sports Press
The Rockets are set to reopen their practice facility on Monday.
Houston Rockets news: Rockets set to reopen practice facility on Monday — Houston Sports Press
VA Hero Of The Week: Russell Westbrook Buys 650 Computers For Students — NESN.com
Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook has followed the lead of many professional athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Westbrook helped students who do not have the proper technology to complete their schoolwork from home by donating 650 computers to Houston area children. This generous act of kindness makes Westbrook our VA Hero of the Week, proudly…
VA Hero Of The Week: Russell Westbrook Buys 650 Computers For Students — NESN.com
How Russell Westbrook Transformed Into A Superstar — CrownHoops
Russell Westbrook has been one of the best players in the NBA for the last decade. The 2017 MVP has nine All-Star games under his belt and will undoubtedly wind up in the Hall of Fame. That being said, many fans doubted Westbrook when he was traded to the Houston Rockets. Fans and media alike […]
How Russell Westbrook Transformed Into A Superstar — CrownHoops
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers dominate Rockets for 6th straight win — Daily News
The Rockets’ James Harden, left, is fouled by the Clippers’ Paul George during the second half of Thursday’s game in Houston. The Clippers won 120-105. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Los Angeles Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard (2) goes up for a shot as Houston Rockets’ James Harden (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball…
Kawhi Leonard, Clippers dominate Rockets for 6th straight win — Daily News
The view from left field 