Impatience was catching up to Glen Rice. But now it was coming at him from a different angle.

He knew it would be difficult to watch practices from the sideline like some Janis Ian (those whose names are never called when choosing sides for a basketball game) outcast. The feeling would be worse on a new team, with new teammates to get to know and impress. His last season was not up to his standards, meaning during the preseason, he was going to start reclaiming his place in the NBA eminence.

Rice, recovering from plantar fasciaitis in his left foot, was prepared for those feelings as he missed the Rockets' first two preseason games.

But he was not prepared for seeing all those open shots Wednesday and Thursday. He could be the life of the party, if only he could get an invitation.