It’s hard escaping Drexler’s shadow
Son Adam wants to show team he has considerable game of his own
Adam Drexler had often played on courts decorated with his father’s name. He played for one season at the University of Houston, which retired
Clyde Drexler’s number in 1997. He has played on the Toyota Center practice court, which has displayed the Rockets’ retired numbers since 2003.
He never had competed as a member of his father’s former team until Wednesday, when he went through a workout with the Rockets’ summer league team with his father’s No. 22 on the wall behind him.
“I can’t be Clyde Drexler,” Drexler said. “I can’t be Clyde. I want to show them that Adam Drexler has game, too. My dad has never pressured me into anything. He’s never told me to be like him. He encouraged me to the upmost. I feel confident in myself. … Don’t do it trying to be Drexler, don’t do it trying to get my name in those banners. Play for the love of the game.”
Drexler said reminders of his father’s Hall of Fame career are “encouraging.”
“I have the same DNA,” he said. “Hopefully, I can be on there some day. At the end of the day, I’m trying to be Adam Drexler, not try to be Clyde, although that would be great. I’m doing it for myself.”
Drexler said his game is based on “hustle and energy.” As for any possibility that his father would make his way to Las Vegas to broadcast one of his son’s summer league games, Drexler said, “I don’t know. That might affect his golf game.”
It’s time to sign on dotted line
With NBA teams free to begin signing players as soon as Thursday, the Rockets likely will make their deals with P.J. Tucker and Zhou Qi official.
The designated veteran player extension for James Harden will come later this month, a person with knowledge of the team’s plans said. The timing of the contract extension for Harden is based only on logistics with his offseason schedule.
The Rockets intend to release forward Ryan Kelly this week before his contract becomes fully guaranteed, the individual familiar with the team’s plans said. Kelly was acquired last month in one of the deals to pick up non-guaranteed contracts should the team need them in a sign-and-trade free-agent deal.
Keep foot in door Williams’ goal
Troy Williams played in just six games with the Rockets last season, but that was more than any other member of their summer league team.
But unlike several holdovers from last season with the Rockets and Vipers — Chinanu Onuaku and Isaiah Taylor — Williams is a free agent hoping to land a deal.
“Last year was my first year in the NBA,” Williams said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time, but it’s a little more serious. I got my foot into the door. Now I just have to stay here.
“I’m still learning new things, getting ready for summer league. Same thing I showed last year, running the court, defend, take the open shots, make plays at the right time.”
Williams averaged 9.7 points with the Rockets, scoring 21 in his first game after he was called up from the NBA Development League.
Strength coach earns top award
The Rockets’ Javair Gillett was named National Basketball Strength & Conditioning Association Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year.
“It’s a credit to the players and the organization,” Gillett said. “The support staff and the coaching staff, coach (Mike) D’Antoni and his crew, these are the reasons you have such a successful season. I’m just there to provide some inspiration and, obviously, some expertise. All the credit goes to the players. A lot of stuff behind the scenes comes from the support of everybody and is why we had some success.”
The winner was determined by a vote of the members of the NBSCA.
“It’s a huge compliment because it comes from my peers, the strength and conditioning coaches across the league,” Gillett said. “They’re the ones in the thick of it. They know what it takes to run a good program and provide a service to the players. It’s an honor to be recognized by them.”