Lawson enters guilty plea to 1 charge; others dismissed
Rockets guard Ty Lawson pleaded guilty to one count of driving while his ability was impaired and failing to drive in a single lane stemming from his arrest January in Denver, the Denver Post reported, citing court records following Lawson’s appearance Thursday.
Charges of speeding 25 to 39 mph over the speed limit, driving under the influence of alcohol and careless driving were dismissed against Lawson.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14. He can receive probation or up to 180 days in jail. The NBA also could issue a suspension now that there has been a guilty plea, though the dismissal of the DUI charge could help Lawson avoid a league suspension.
Lawson, 28, also was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol in Los Angeles in July.
Traded by the Nuggets to the Rockets in July, Lawson has worked with former Rockets star and longtime treatment counselor John Lucas. Lucas will not describe their work beyond “building relationships.”
Few shots don’t bother Howard
Center Dwight Howard took just nine shots in his past two games, but he has no complaints with how he is being used.
Some of Howard’s lack of touches had to do with the Rockets’ turnover issues Monday against Boston. Some came from missed connections and Portland’s determination to foul him Wednesday.
But Howard said getting touches is not his concern.
“There’s other things I can do on the floor,” Howard said. “I can rebound my butt off, try to block as many shots as I can, talk more on defense, just anything where I can give more of myself for the team.
“I think all of us are trying to take on that
same characteristic where we give more of ourselves. At the end, it will all work out.”
Howard had 19 rebounds in the 108-103 overtime victory over the Trail Blazers and averages 14 points, 13.4 rebounds
and two blocked shots. His 61.3 percent shooting ranks third in the NBA.
Harden praises Bickerstaff
When James Harden looked over to the bench Wednesday, he not only did not see former Rockets coach Kevin McHale, he did not see his successor, interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
That was because Bickerstaff rarely sat on his first night as coach.
“He was standing up the entire game,” Harden said. “I don’t know if it was (because) it was his first game, he was so excited, but he had that energy. Even when we were down 15, 16, he had that same energy. We were looking over at the bench, he’s still standing up — coaching, giving us confidence. That goes a long way. That excites us to want to go out, compete even harder.
“It was a huge impact, giving us that confidence from our head coach. No matter how we were going, no matter how many (missed) shots or turnovers we had, we’d look over. The excitement was always there.”
Motiejunas will learn more soon
The Rockets have not offered a timetable for Donatas Motiejunas’ return to the court, largely because they don’t have one.
But they hope to have a timetable to get a timetable.
Motiejunas, 25, who continues to work out on his own after each day’s practice is completed without him, is scheduled to meet with doctors Dec. 1 in the hopes he will be then cleared for workouts with the team, according to a person with knowledge of Motiejunas’ rehabilitation schedule.
The individual spoke on the condition of anonymity because such plans had not been announced.
Motiejunas, who was integral to the Rockets’ success last season, especially when Dwight Howard and Terrence Jones were out, has not been cleared to practice since last season’s back surgery.