Rockets GM DARYL MOREY is fresh off a three-week stint in Europe evaluating draft prospects and free agents, and he gets to stay close to home this weekend as his team hosts the Pelicans on Friday and Thunder on Sunday afternoon on ABC. Morey, G JAMES HARDEN and new coach MIKE D’ANTONI have the Rockets sitting third in the Western Conference, as the organization looks for a deep playoff run.
GAME ROUTINE: Friday morning we have a shootaround at 10:00am and I'll talk to the coaches right after just to see how things are going. We’re in the midst of putting together information on the maybe four different teams we could face in the first round of the playoffs. We’ll see if there’s any data we can bring to Mike. We also have a potential technology vendor coming in that I’ll speak with. Then also two interviews with prospective people to join our staff. I may take care of some corporate responsibilities an hour or so before the game. During the games I normally sit with my family in the stands or I’ll sit in our video room. Depends on the game, situation, score. After the game I’ll talk with the coaches but not too in-depth. Not a lot of good decisions get made directly after a game, it’s normally just a quick recap.
ON THE GO: Saturday my son has a soccer game and then we have practice at noon. If I can I’ll try to catch the Vipers (the Rockets’ D-League affiliate) game as well. The rest of the day will be family time, and we’ll have the NCAA Tournament on. My wife ELLEN is a huge sports fan. She’s honestly probably a bigger fan than me with some sports, especially the Mets. Sunday we’ll have our walkthrough at 11:30. I’ll get to the game around 1:00. No corporate events that day. I’ll try to get a tennis match in early that morning. I’ve got a set of folks here who I try to play with regularly. I’m a big theater guy too and there’s a local production on Sunday night I’ll try to get to as well.
CRUNCH TIME: The vibe with the team is good right now. Obviously there is impending pressure with the playoffs coming up. We’re in a weird spot where we have a good lead on the four seed (Jazz) but are still trying to catch the two seed (Spurs), which will be a tough task. But as far as current stress level, it’s not up there with the early part of the season or free agency. Last offseason we brought in RYAN ANDERSON, NENE and ERIC GORDON all within a very stressful two-day period in July and each of those guys have played big roles this season. And then of course there’s the draft even though you won’t really get a grade on those for a couple years.
SILVER SCREEN: Book-wise, I just wrapped up PHIL KNIGHT’s “Shoe Dog, “ which was amazing. I also say this being very opposed to live-action remakes, but the new “BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” was incredible. TV-wise I like “THE BIG BANG THEORY” and “MODERN FAMILY." Both JIM PARSONS and RICO RODRIGUEZ, who plays Manny, are big Rockets fans.
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