Faried to help fill center void
The Rockets, in need of help at center with Clint
Capela out for four to six weeks, will sign center
Kenneth Faried next week once he completes a buyout with the Brooklyn Nets and clears waivers, a person with knowledge of the team’s plans said Friday.
Faried, 29, has played in just 12 games with the Nets this season, but he was an effective rebounder and pick-and-roll threat in seven seasons with the Denver Nuggets, where he averaged 11.4 points and 8.4 rebounds.
In the final season of a contract that will pay him $13.7 million, there is no chance he would be picked up on waivers. The Rockets will sign him to a minimum contract for the balance of the season, but would have to open a roster spot, possibly by moving or waiving Carmelo Anthony.
The Rockets have been severely shorthanded at center since Capela damaged ligaments in his right thumb Sunday in Orlando. Nene started one game, but he was held to just 15 minutes. The Rockets went with a small lineup, starting P.J. Tucker at center, against the Nets on Wednesday.
At 6-8, Faried does not bring much more size, but he would fit as a rim-running center in the Rockets’ offense. ESPN initially reported the Rockets’ intention to sign Faried. If waived on Saturday, Faried would clear waivers Monday as the Rockets begin a two-game trip in Philadelphia.
Gordon to play through pain
After leaving in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s 145-142 overtime loss to the Nets, Rockets guard
Eric Gordon is listed as probable for Saturday’s game against the Lakers.
But Gordon likely will remain on a playing time restriction that limited him to 21 minutes in his first game since missing the Rockets’ previous eight with a bruised knee. He said he will have to ignore the soreness that prompted coach Mike D’Antoni to pull him several minutes early.
“I just got to continue doing what I do best and that’s being aggressive offensively and defensively, whatever it takes to win,” Gordon said. “I know I’m not going to be playing a ton of minutes probably these next few games as I acclimate myself, as I’m getting back. Like last game, I kind of expected that. I just have to continue to rehab and do the things I have to do to build myself back up.
“It’s doing OK. It was tough to play through it last game. I’m looking forward to (Saturday) and just trying to get better game by game.”
Gordon had 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting in that 21-minute return from injury. Meanwhile, James Ennis III, who sat out Wednesday’s game with a cut on his left leg, is probable to play Saturday. And D’Antoni remains “hopeful” guard Chris Paul will return from a strained hamstring next week.
Nene’s minutes to stay the same
Though center Clint
Capela, who had played an average of 34.2 minutes per game, is out, the Rockets do not plan to increase
Nene’s playing time. “Coach ( Mike D’Antoni) has a plan,” Nene said. “We have other big men. We have young big men, too. They will get those minutes. Coach will decide when I am going to play.
“Clint has been amazing, the way he has been playing and how confident. But everybody, we’re going to do our best. A man down, somebody has to stand up. We have young players. This is a chance, an opportunity to stand up.”
Players must shake off loss
The Rockets might be coming off the most difficult of losses, failing to protect a lead in the final minute of the fourth quarter and again in overtime in falling to the Nets. But they said there is no concern about a hangover from one loss in an NBA season, especially given their circumstances in the Western Conference standings.
“You know, we’ve had some other tough losses,”
Mike D’Antoni said. “Surely we understand where we are. That’s gone. There’s nothing you can do about it. We talk about it. Every individual is different, will treat it differently. But we have a nationally televised game against the Lakers and where we are … all these wins are important. I would hope … and I trust my guys that it won’t bother is.
“I don’t worry about bouncing back from a tough loss. I worry about having a good win and a lesser team coming in. That’s the one that’s tricky to me.”
The timing could help, with a day off followed by a practice day between games.
“We know how tough that loss was,” guard James
Harden said. “You watch film, you get better. You try not to make those same mistakes like you did in the previous game.”