In 1994, the Houston Rockets traded Robert Horry and Matt Bullard to the Detroit Pistons for veteran sharpshooter Sean Elliot. Horry was shocked, Bullard was angry and Elliott was about to flunk a physical because of kidney problems.
When that happened, the trade was rescinded. Everyone got back on a plane, flew home and tried to pretend it never happened.
"It probably saved my career," he said. "I came back knowing that the reason they traded me was for not shooting the basketball enough.
"So once I came back, they were going to have to tell me to stop shooting."
Via Los Angeles Daily News
Houston Rockets, Detroit Pistons
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As minds throughout the NBA raced to recall details of the games Tim Donaghy officiated, to disputed calls and controversial moments, there were two Rockets games that immediately commanded attention.
The Rockets' loss to the Phoenix Suns on Jan. 17 and the win against the Orlando Magic on Feb. 25 stood out as games certain to draw the interest of investigators looking into whether Donaghy influenced the results of NBA games.
Donaghy was assigned four Rockets games last season, but the game against the Suns in January has drawn attention because of the movement of the betting line and results.
The Suns had been favored to win by 3 1/2 points the day before the game. They were favored by nine by game time (though the line might have moved so greatly because Tracy McGrady left the game the previous night with a sore back and did not play against the Suns). The Suns won by nine.
"The big trend with him in particular is that the first 15 games last season he refereed where we saw line movement of at least 1 1/2 points were a perfect 15-of-15 for the big-money people betting," said Matty O'Shea, general manager of content at pregame.com and a handicapper. "The odds of that happening randomly are only 33,000-to-1."
Via Houston Chronicle
Houston Rockets
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The Heat is focusing on trades to find a point guard, and talks continue with Houston regarding Rafer Alston (due $14.7 million during the next three years). Though Miami would move Michael Doleac, the Rockets are exploring what other teams would offer.
Talks with Sacramento about Mike Bibby have not materialized -- the Kings aren't eager to take back ex-King Jason Williams.
Via Miami Herald
Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards
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Rockets Jul 2007 Archive
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 22, 2007
The Heat have expressed interest in Rockets guard Rafer Alston, with forward Udonis Haslem and center Michael Doleac among the names discussed.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 22, 2007
Houston's acquisition of Steve Francis could lead to other moves.
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China Daily | Jul 20, 2007
Houston Rockets' All-star center Yao Ming says he has been treated unfairly in an unprecedented attack by the country's official sports newspaper, China Sports Daily.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 19, 2007
Steve Francis chose the Rockets over the Heat, Mavericks and Clippers, his agent Jeff Fried said on Thursday.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 19, 2007
Agent Jeff Fried said Steve Francis had not reached any decision, able only to narrow his choice to the Rockets, Heat, Mavericks and Clippers.
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Newsday | Jul 18, 2007
Former Knick Steve Francis is likely to sign with the Rockets, Clippers, Mavericks or Heat, perhaps as early as Wednesday.
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ESPN | Jul 18, 2007
China's official sports association has issued an unprecedented public criticism of Yao Ming for reporting late to national team training
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Fox 26 Sports | Jul 18, 2007
NBA sources tell FOX 26 Sports the Houston Rockets are one of three teams in the hunt to land free agent guard Steve Francis and the sources tell FOX the Rockets are the leaders in the clubhouse but that a decision still has to be made.
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ESPN | Jul 18, 2007
Five years after being drafted, Luis Scola has finally signed with an NBA team.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 13, 2007
The Rockets have come to a "basic agreement" with Argentine star Luis Scola, less than 24 hours after acquiring his draft rights from the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.
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San Antonio Express-News | Jul 12, 2007
Jackie Butler and Luis Scola move to Houston, while the Spurs get Vassilis Spanoulis, who is expected to remain in Europe
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Chicago Tribune | Jul 12, 2007
The Bulls' search for a veteran big man remains limited to Joe Smith, Mikki Moore and Chris Mihm, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 12, 2007
Steve Francis is considering the Rockets, Mavericks, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, according to his agent.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 11, 2007
The Rockets wanted guard John Lucas III to reprise last summer's performance, particularly with a new coaching staff and offense to learn, the Houston Chronicle is reporting.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 10, 2007
The Sixers still have their sights on re-signing forward Joe Smith, an unrestricted free agent, the Philadelphia Inquirer is reporting.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 8, 2007
While Rockets rookie guard Aaron Brooks described the event as something to get over with, he did have to admit that signing his first NBA contract on Saturday held at least some symbolic significance.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 7, 2007
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey and player agent Calvin Andrews, who represents Rockets forward Chuck Hayes, said after their initial meeting that they were confident that an agreement would be reached for Hayes to return.
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Philadelphia Inquirer | Jul 5, 2007
Now that Darko Milicic appears to be available, are the Sixers interested?
The answer, senior vice president of basketball operations/assistant general manager Tony DiLeo confirmed yesterday, is that they will investigate, saying, "It's our job to be interested.
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Memphis Commercial Appeal | Jul 5, 2007
Yao Ming suspects things will work out well with Rick Adelman coaching the Houston Rockets because Adelman's up-tempo game reminds him of how the Chinese national team plays.
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Houston Chronicle | Jul 4, 2007
After one largely disappointing season with the Rockets, guard Vassilis Spanoulis said there will not be another.
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Yahoo.com | Jul 3, 2007
Former NBA All-Star Jimmy Walker died from lung cancer.
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Philadelphia Daily News | Jul 2, 2007
Billy King tried to acquire Joe Smith for the 76ers from the Milwaukee Bucks after the 2005-06 season.
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ESPN | Jul 1, 2007
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said Saturday night that the club is "going after Rashard (Lewis)," the SuperSonics forward who attended high school in suburban Houston and is considered one of the NBA's most attractive free agents this summer.
