Friedman - Hayes Interview

Seriously, is there anything this Jason Friedman dude can't do?

Link.

Awesome Artest Interview

Link.

Wow, can J. Friedman do all of our official Rockets coverage - simultaneously replacing Clyde and Jim Foley, too?

In the press conference, Artest says he's been working on his off-the-ball, catch-and-shoot game this summer - and he drops the "3rd, maybe 4th option when Scola gets going" line. You know he's been watching Luis tear up the Olympics.

I know some people have seen this video on our site and on some other sites. So you've got to love this little side-reference from the Fried-man.

Fans greeted the star forward with signs, shouts and chants of, “No Layups!” in reference to Artest’s reputation as a one of a kind, in your face defender.

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I can't find the interview they're talking about just yet (found it - but it's in Chinese), but if you're interested in this discussion, you should check out this discussion. (also check this)

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Rockets Addicts should love this line from today's True Hoop:

Shane Battier: He demonstrated during Houston's big winning streak that he is the best at stopping elite wing scorers. And he can hit the open shot, all while being a great veteran teammate. (emphasis added)

Rally

chris may have beat me to the punch on the article....

but i got the vid


VIDEO OF THE DAY

D.J. Strawberry is a Rocket

Link.

After watching him abuse Aaron Brooks in their Summer League matchup (video recap), I'm sure there will be plenty of competition at the guard spot once again this training camp.

Artest rally: Link.

"A lot of players, some of my friends, were like 'Houston is a problem, now,' " Artest said. "Like that old saying goes: 'Houston, we have a problem." Now, other teams in the league, they have a problem.

(how much fun must this writer have transposing Artest's words into text)

"Right now, I'm playing with two all stars, two future Hall of Famers in their prime. And I've gotten better. I'm better now than I was five years ago, even than when I got defensive player of the year. Everybody's in their prime. This is my best opportunity to put a ring on my finger and help Houston get another championship."

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Yao:

“Did I get everyone in Houston worried with the limp?” he asked with a smile. “The bone in the foot is fine. I just had some blisters.”

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Rudy

Oden

Bayless

Miles?

The NBA is a strange, incestuous league, and the tentacles of this thing might very well run deep.

Pistons Trades?

Great Joe Dumars interview on the future of the Pistons.

If there was a deal to be done, I would have pulled the trigger. The reason we haven’t done a deal is there was no good deal to be made. If there was a good deal to be made, we would have done it and we would be moving forward right now.

I think that I would be very surprised if anyone called at this point to offer the type of deal I was open to and had been open to doing. I don’t expect that call.

So when people ask me what about the big trade, my response is always the same: What big trade is that?

"SCOLAA MY FRIIIINNNND FRUMMM ARGENTEEEENAAAAAHHH"

Video Of The Day



to back up chris' story...

Devin Brown to backup Chris Paul

Link.

If Chron.com writers are correct, Devin Brown, newly acquired NOLA Hornet, "likely will be the primary backup to All-Star point guard Chris Paul."

Anyone object to Chris Paul sitting on the bench while Brown runs NOLA's offense?

Somehow I doubt Brown plays much PG. Why not former Rocket Ryan Bowen?

"Chris was the runner-up for the league MVP," Bowen said. "It's just amazing to play with a talent like that. He knows what everybody's doing on the court, offensively and defensively. He knows when to make the right pass and when to shoot it. He's really remarkable."If I'd been going to camp with a team that didn't have Chris Paul, I think I would have really struggled. He'd always pick me to be on his team in practice, and he made me look pretty good."

Brown's career average: Assists - 1.6 Turnovers - 1.1

Luis

I was one of the doubters. I assumed that without Manu and his solid guard play, Jascikavicus (spelling) would tear up the Argentines - apparently Scola would not let that happen.

Link.

"It touched us all that Manu tried to the last minute to play with us,” Scola said.“But we as a team trust the team. Those who don't know us think that without Manu we cannot do anything but that is not true.

“Of course, [if] I could I would always like to have Manu playing alongside me but I think what makes a good team is the fact that other players are able to step up in these situations."

Video of the Day

VIDEO OF THE DAY




The music did it all for me. I had to post.