Paul has no plans to ‘stick to sports’
Rockets guard Chris Paul, the president of the National Basketball Players Association, said the Rockets would respond to President Donald
Trump’s comments about NFL players and his decision to “uninvite” the Warriors to the White House, but they had not determined what that response would be. He was determined, however, not to adhere to anyone’s call to “stick to sports.”
“The thing about our team … whatever we decide to do as a team, we’ll do it as a team,” Paul said. “It’s not any one individual. Whatever we do, we’ll do it as a team.”
Paul had strong comments on Twitter on Sunday. He tweeted, “With everything that’s going on in our country, why are YOU focused on who’s kneeling and visiting the White House??? #StayInYoLane” He followed with “And I doubt he’s man enough to call any of those players a son of a bitch to their face…”
“Different people choose different ways to express themselves, however that may be,” Paul said on Monday at the Rockets’ media day. “When … you’re supposed to be our leader, my kids shouldn’t have to be looking at television seeing the leader saying the things he was saying.
“For me, personally, I’m not just a basketball player and I don’t think guys are just athletes. At the end of the day, when I leave here and take off my jersey and my uniform and I get in the car, I’m ‘Dad.’ I’m … a husband. I have a wife and I have kids. I’m a son to my parents.”
Paul said there could be talk with the union membership on a response. Rockets guard James
Harden said he did not want to share his feelings, but on the president’s comments said, “I don’t think it’s fair.”
“You have people that protect this country that go out and do things for us to be able to have the rights that we do have,” Rockets forward Trevor Ariza said. “For him to bash somebody or belittle somebody for doing what they think is right is just an unfortunate situation.” Rockets coach Mike
D’Antoni said he would not interfere with any stand his team chooses to make.
“I will stand behind anybody’s right to protest any way they see fit,” D’Antoni said. “I might not agree with the protest. I think all Americans can agree, certain protests you have one side or the other. I think all Americans agree you have the right to protest. Whatever the players need to do, I’ll stand behind them 1,000 percent. I hate it that our country is in a bad spot right now. To be vilified because you speak your mind or you don’t like certain segments of our society, that’s not right.”
Morey says team fine with no Anthony deal
The Rockets’ interest in acquiring Carmelo Anthony never brought them close to getting him before those chances ended Saturday when the Knicks reached an agreement to send him to Oklahoma City. But though the Rockets did hope to find a trade with the Knicks, general manager Daryl Morey said there was no disappointment about failing to complete a deal, though Anthony did long want to be sent to Houston.
“Honestly, 100 percent it hasn’t been an issue,” Morey said. “We were involved in rumors in a situation he was very interested in coming here. We had some interest if we could maybe work it out, but never did. All our players from guy one to 20, right now, we’re very excited with the people in the room. There was never any discussion about any disappointment or anything like that.”
Tucker will miss beginning of camp
Rockets forward P.J. Tucker suffered a strained hamstring in one of the Rockets’ recent workouts and will be held out of the start of training camp, Rockets general manager Daryl
Morey said. The issue is not considered serious, with Morey calling it “something nagging” and “something minor.”
“We’ll be careful with him,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said.
Morey said the rest of the roster has been cleared for the start of workouts.