Houston Rockets pick up options on Courtney Lee and Jordan Hill
After starting the season with two-straight setbacks, the Houston Rockets are still optimistic about their chances this season, and are also starting to prepare for their future by securing
their rights to their young players.
The Rockets exercised their optional contract rights to third-year guard Courtney Lee and second-year forward Jordan Hill for the 2011-12 NBA season.
Despite having a secured contract next year, Lee, who was acquired by the Rockets from the New Jersey Nets in a four-team deal involving Trevor Ariza, said that he felt no added sense of
security. "Not at all, I went to New Jersey. They picked up my option and traded me, too. It's a business," he said.
"Anything can happen on any given day. I never feel secure. Just go in, be a professional, and do what you're asked every single day. Any player would like to get somewhere and get comfortable
and be there for a while. But if it happens again, I'll be prepared," said Lee, who averaged 9.5 points per game in the first two games this season.
The 23-year old forward, Hill, was originally drafted in the first round by the New York Knicks last year, but was traded to the Rockets in the Tracy McGrady deal before the deadline.
The Rockets will try to end their skid when they go up against the Denver Nuggets in their home-opener on Saturday 30 October, before facing the New Orleans Hornets on 3 November and the
San Antonio Spurs on 6 November.
The Rockets opened the season with a heartbreaking 112-110 defeat against the defending champions, Los Angeles Lakers, on Wednesday 27 October, and were also defeated by the Golden State
Warriors, 131-128, on Thursday 28 October.
"I wouldn't say 'must win,' but we very much need the win to get the taste of victory in our mouths," Rockets centre Chuck Hayes said on avoiding their first 0-3 start since the 1999-2000
NBA season.
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