archaean: Rockets notes: Artest's technical foul stands

The NBA upheld the technical foul assessed to Rockets forward Ron Artest in Thursday’s game. Artest was given the technical for running to a confrontation after Dallas’ Josh Howard fouled Yao Ming.

The league is still reviewing video the Rockets provided of an incident earlier in the game when Howard tripped Yao.
Schedule aids McGrady

As difficult as it was for Rockets guard Tracy McGrady to have played the second game in as many nights Thursday, he said Saturday that playing both games, taking a day off and then playing again Saturday might be an ideal schedule for building the strength back in his left leg after missing most of the preseason.

“I think it helps, playing on it, letting it rest and coming back the next day and working on it,” McGrady said. “That’s how you build strength.

“When I’m playing I try not to think about it. I try to go out there and try to be as normal as possible. Sometimes when I make a move in my mind, it’s definitely in the back of my head.”
Bench players step up

In the first game of the season, the Rockets’ bench combined for 10 points. In the second game, the Rockets reserves had 29. Much of the difference might be attributable to the return of Aaron Brooks, who had 14 points and five assists off the bench, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the team will need consistency no matter who plays.

“It’s going to be important for us,” Adelman said. “We need to have consistency there coming off the bench game in, game out. Aaron can give us a lift there. Coming off the bench and being consistent, it really helps us. It adds another dimension in the game for us with the game.”

More than that, Tracy McGrady said it can lift the Rockets to a different echelon.

“That’s what makes a team a great,” he said. “You got to have your starters get off to a great start and a bench that comes in and maintains that. Those guys are creating a lot of energy. In order for us to be good, that’s what we’re going to need.”
Getting back on defense

In the Rockets preseason game against the Thunder, Oklahoma City had 19 fast break points. In the Rockets’ game Thursday against the Mavericks, they allowed 37 points on the break.

With another game against the Thunder, there was an emphasis on cutting off the break, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman said that more is needed than to just turn around and run fast.

“It’s habits that you have, too. If one of our perimeter people goes to the basket, the other two have to get back, and we weren’t doing that. I think sometimes guys aren’t used to doing it, Tracy (McGrady) and Ron (Artest) in particular. That’s one thing Shane (Battier) always did for us; he was always back.

“We just have to concentrate on it. If you’re not going to the boards, and you see somebody penetrate, you’ve got to get
Brooks returns early

Fans might have been surprised to see Aaron Brooks play on Thursday after missing three days with an injury that was expected to keep him out as much as three weeks, but even his teammates were stunned during the game.

“Tracy (McGrady) and I couldn’t believe it,” Rockets guard Rafer Alston said. “I said, ‘Are you even taped?’ I thought he was just in uniform on the bench because he didn’t have a jacket (required by the NBA to sit on the bench).”

chron.com

archaean

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Rockets notes: Artest's technical foul stands

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