March 2015 Houston Rockets Wiretap

Morey: James Harden's Personal Life Not A Factor In Play

Nov 23, 2015 1:24 PM

James Harden spent his offseason in a high profile relationship with Khloe Kardashian and also signed a $200 million contract with Adidas.

Harden was coming off a season in which he improved his defensive commitment and finished second in MVP voting while the Houston Rockets advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

"We know James Harden's a great player. James hasn't played up to his standards," Morey said Wednesday. "I can't point to it. I know he'll turn it around."

The Rockets fired Kevin McHale as head coach this past week.

"One reason people love playing for the Rockets is we worry about what's on the floor," Daryl Morey said. "I don't talk to him about his personal life. (But) I don't think that's a factor at all."

David Aldridge/NBA.com

Tags: James Harden, Houston Rockets, NBA

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Rockets To Start Jason Terry Instead Of Ty Lawson

Nov 19, 2015 12:34 PM

Jason Terry will be the Houston Rockets' starter at point guard moving forward with Ty Lawson coming off the bench.

"This was not a point the finger at Ty (Lawson), this is not a blame Ty," J.B. Bickerstaff said. "This was try to get Ty on the floor more without James (Harden) so the ball can be in his hands to make plays and see if we can get him more comfortable."

Lawson seems to have already bought into the bench role.

"Whatever for the team to win," Lawson said of the move to the bench "I can come in the second unit and probably have the ball move in my hands and be able to play more to my game."

The Dream Shake

Tags: Ty Lawson, Jason Terry, Houston Rockets, NBA

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Celtics, Mavs Interested In Hiring Kevin McHale As Consultant

Nov 19, 2015 11:28 AM

Danny Ainge immediately reached out to Kevin McHale following his dismissal from the Houston Rockets about a role with the Boston Celtics.

"I've always tried to get Kevin to come work with me and work with my big guys," Ainge told the Boston Herald. "I told Kevin that today. ... We've got a spot for him. I know we could figure something out for him in some capacity, but I think he's just in a wait-and-see mode.

"He appreciated me reaching out to him, but I think he's just going to lay low. He's probably got bigger and better things to do -- or more relaxing things to do."

The Dallas Mavericks also have interest in hiring McHale, who had him on payroll as a consultant in training camp in 2009.

"Maybe when the dust settles, I can get him out to teach the 'slippery eel' to Kelly [Olynyk] and Sully [Jared Sullinger] and Amir [Johnson]," Ainge told the Herald.

ESPN

Tags: Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Sam Dekker To Undergo Back Surgery

Nov 18, 2015 6:54 PM

Sam Dekker will undergo back surgery on Friday.

Dekker was taken with the 18th overall pick in last June's draft and has only played sparingly for the Houston Rockets.

Dekker was bothered by the back injury during his senior season at Wisconsin.

Dekker is expected to miss three months.

Jeff Goodman/ESPN

Tags: Sam Dekker, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Injury

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Jeff Van Gundy, Tom Thibodeau Could Be Longer Term Candidates For Rockets

Nov 18, 2015 11:21 AM

The Houston Rockets have fired Kevin McHale and have given the job to J.B. Bickerstaff on an interim basis.

While Bickerstaff will be given an opportunity to prove himself in the job and stabilize the Rockets, there are several elite coaches that could become future candidates.

Both Jeff Van Gundy and Tom Thibodeau have ties to the Rockets and are available coaches. Steve Clifford could also be a free agent this summer and has ties to Houston as well.

Van Gundy has been an analyst for ESPN since he was fired by the Rockets in 2007.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Fire Kevin McHale, Promote J.B. Bickerstaff To Interim Head Coach

Nov 18, 2015 12:20 PM

The Houston Rockets have fired Kevin McHale after a 4-7 start.

The Rockets suffered four straight blowout losses.

McHale signed a three-year contract extension a year ago and is owed approximately $12 million.

J.B. Bickerstaff will take over as the interim head coach, with assistant Chris Finch ascending to associate head coach. Bickerstaff is considered a rising star in the coaching ranks.

"The team was not responding to Kevin McHale," said Daryl Morey. "We had to make tough call. There is no time to wait in the Western Conference."

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor

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Rockets Hold Players-Only Meeting

Nov 17, 2015 4:16 PM

The Houston Rockets held a players-only meeting on Tuesday as they continue their early season struggles.

"It was a good talk," said James Harden. "We hadn't communicated like that since season's been going. Now, it's about carrying over."

The Rockets have lost four straight games, including a 106-98 result to the previously winless Brooklyn Nets.

Ty Lawson characterized the meeting as productive.

Jonathan Feigen/Houston Chronicle

Tags: Houston Rockets, NBA

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K.J. McDaniels Assigned By Rockets To D-League

Nov 11, 2015 12:30 PM

The Houston Rockets have assigned K.J. McDaniels to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the D-League.

McDaniels was acquired by the Rockets from the Philadelphia 76ers last season.

McDaniels has played in three games this season for the Rockets.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: K.J. McDaniels, Houston Rockets, Rio Grande Valley Vipers, NBA, D-League, D-League Teams

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James Harden, Andre Drummond Named NBA Players Of The Week

Nov 9, 2015 3:37 PM

Andre Drummond and James Harden have been named the NBA Players of the Week for games played between Nov. 2nd and Nov. 8th.

Drummond helped the Pistons to a 2-1 week behind averages of 22.0 points (fourth in the East) and a league-leading 24.3 rebounds. Drummond also won the award during the previous week.

 

Harden led the Rockets to a 4-0 week behind a league-best 38.5 points. He also chipped in with 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 1.5 steals. 

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: James Harden, Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Award

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Chuck Hayes Released By Rockets

Nov 9, 2015 12:05 AM

The Houston Rockets have waived Chuck Hayes.

Waiving Hayes clears the way for Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley to return.

Hayes could ultimately retire into a coaching staff role with the team, but is focused on continuing his playing career this season, sources said.

Adrian Wojnarowski/Yahoo! Sports

Tags: Chuck Hayes, Houston Rockets, NBA, NBA Signing Rumor, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA Waiver

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Chuck Hayes Signs With Rockets

Calvin Watkins/ESPN