Coach likes what he sees so far from new additions
With training camp and a record-setting season in the rearview mirror, the Rockets took the floor Tuesday in their preseason opener against Memphis and gave coach Mike D’Antoni an opportunity to see how his new players meshed against another team.
“We use these games as dress rehearsals so our guys will play good enough minutes,” he said the day after a 131-115 victory over the Grizzlies.. “We want to get back to that (level of play of last season), and we’ve got a ways to go. It’s early, but we know the blueprint of how we want to play.”
Two players who won’t take the floor for Thursday’s game against the Indiana Pacers are forward P.J. Tucker (sore back) and center Clint Capela (right foot soreness).
Tucker’s absence provides another opportunity for Carmelo Anthony, a 10-time NBA AllStar, to start.
D’Antoni was impressed with all of his newcomers on Tuesday against the Grizzlies as they seem to be making a smooth transition to the Rockets’ system.
“For sure,” he said. “And it’s always easier when you play with great players, and they’ve got Hall of Fame guys out there that know how to play. The two rookies are four-year college kids so that makes it easy.
“I thought they were really good (Tuesday).”
As D’Antoni tinkers with lineup combinations, Chris Paul said players will quickly grow accustomed to each other through practices and during games.
“It’s basketball,” Paul said. “Once you get out there and you play and you practice, you start to figure it out a little bit.”
Paul said the freedom of the Rockets’ style helps facilitate any newcomers’ transition.
“I’ve had a lot of fun since I got here,” guard Michael Carter-Williams said. “Even in practice, I’m going against the first group, playing free.
“Here, you just come on the court and you’re playing your game. … I think coach does a really good job of putting people in the right spots
Feeling-out process for Ennis, officials
Forward James Ennis III fouled out of Tuesday’s game, in part because the Rockets are still learning how officials will call certain fouls this season.
“Obviously, it’s preseason and different things have got to get ironed out and worked out,”
Chris Paul said. “But yeah, we have got to figure this out.” Ennis took his exit in stride. “I’m a physical defender, so you know those fouls came early (and) put me back a little bit, but I just continue to play,” he said.
Odds and ends
Forward Zhou Qi is questionable for Thursday’s game with a right ankle sprain. … Center Nene is out with calf tightness.