A quick and digestible look at the most top-of-mind Rockets news of the past few days.
Houston Chronicle. Lakers can’t handle James Harden as Rockets cruise in L.A.
“As James Harden toyed with his hometown team, setting up teammates for open looks and taking a few for himself, Harden’s greatest challenge seemed to be deciding between all the ways he had to tear through the Lakers’ defense…”
NBC Sports. Did win over Lakers break Rockets out of defensive slump?
“…The obvious answer for why it looked better Sunday is that the Lakers — especially now without Kobe Bryant— are an unfocused disaster on offense. They lack quality shot creators or anyone you have to fear. Of course, the Rockets saw it as something more than that, as a springboard for themselves to get back to their identity. And when you asked any Rockets’ player about the improved defense they used some variant of the word “focus,” adding they had to do it more consistently…
CBS Sports. James Harden, Dwyane Wade among All-Star starter snubs.
“We know who’s starting in the 2014 NBA All-Star Game, as the 10 players selected by a fan vote were announced on TNT on Thursday. As always, we can quibble with the names on that list, and that’s what we’re here to do. Here are some players who could be sitting at home, wondering what more they could’ve done to earn a starting spot…”
Houston Chronicle. Goran Dragic insists Rockets will have equal chance in free agency.
“The Rockets might have let guard Goran Dragic return to the Suns as a free agent, but Dragic said Friday that he would not hold that against them if they pursue him as a free agent next summer. Dragic signed a four-year deal with the Suns that gave him the power to opt out after his third season, an option that the Rockets would not give him when they insisted on a contract without player options…”
