Signing of Vipers’ Hunter to provide depth at guard
LOS ANGELES — The Rockets will sign 6-5 guard R.J. Hunter ,a first-round draft pick of the Boston Celtics in 2015, to a two-way contract Sunday, a person with knowledge of the team’s plans said Saturday.
Hunter has averaged 19.2 points in 29.8 minutes on 43.2 percent shooting with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ G League affiliate, this season.
Hunter, 24, will be able to have up to 22 days with the Rockets before they would have to convert his contract to a standard NBA contract if they wish to keep him with the team, rather than in the G League.
Hunter was a star of the NCAA Tournament for George State, where he was a two-time Sunbelt player of the year while playing for his father, Ron Hunter. He led a late comeback, capped by his 30-footer to upset Baylor.
Roster help is on the way
The Rockets had just eight players available in Phoenix on Friday, but help could be on the way.
Forward Luc Mbah a Moute and center Tarik Black will be game-time decisions Monday to play against the Clippers in Los Angeles, coach Mike D’Antoni said. Mbah a Moute has been out since Dec. 13 when he dislocated his left shoulder on a fall following a dunk. Black left Wednesday’s game with an abrasion on his right eye.
The Rockets will be without James Harden (strained hamstring) and Nene (bruised knee), along with G League players Zhou Qi (sprained elbow), Chinanu Onuaku (nasal surgery) and Troy Williams (sprained knee.)
The Rockets have gone 4-2 since the injury to Harden, who has resumed workouts.
“We’re just holding it down, holding it down until we get the whole crew back,” guard Chris Paul said. “But ain’t nobody going to feel sorry for us so we’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves. We’re just going to go out and compete.”
Anderson flies over Green’s turf
When forward Ryan Anderson returned to the locker room in Phoenix on Friday and checked his phone, he had 17 text messages from teammate Tarik Black, all sending memes depicting amazed reactions.
Anderson had driven to a hard, one-handed spike of a dunk over the Suns’ 7-1 center Alex Len, sending his teammates into a celebration.
Rockets guard Gerald Green, a former NBA dunk champion, offered his expert approval. The locker-room television offered the video of his dunk repeated in a continuous loop as teammate Trevor Ariza shouted through each replay.
“When Gerald Green, maybe one of the best dunkers in NBA history, is giving you a little bit of credit coming in here and the guys are like that, it’s awesome,” Anderson said. “It’s great support. I know they did not expect that. It’s just fun. It’s a fun part of the game.”
Anderson said he would not suggest Green take part in the NBA 3-point contest while Anderson joins the slamdunk contest.
“I could give you one dunk that could maybe score in the high 30s,” Anderson said. “Then, I’m done.”
But Green said if he were a judge Friday, he would have given Anderson not the top score of 10, but a 12.
“It’s a joy to watch him play,” Green said. “He’s very talented. That shocked me that he was that athletic.
“Now, I expect more of that from him.”