Takeaways from Houston Rockets introduction of Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon

Houston Rockets formally introduced Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon to the team and city. The press conference also included head coach Mike D’Antoni, GM Daryl Morey and owner Leslie Alexander.

In their first press conference with the Houston Rockets Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon were introduced and the panel took questions from the press. Here’s the top lines from the media presser:

Daryl Morey:

Rockets are putting together a new core
Anderson and Gordon are perfect for new style
Morey believes team “as is” is championship team and thinks chemistry and fit are equally as important as stars
Expects a deep run this season to attract more stars next summer
Morey saw Anderson as a primary target due to his floor spacing , his 3-point shot and calls him the best floor spacing 4 in the league with a versatile set of moves
Calls Gordon the perfect compliment to Harden

Leslie Alexander:

Said Rockets had a bad year and still made playoffs
Cited shooting and passion as key attributes the new players bring
Says teams will have to beat us, but we won’t beat ourselves

Mike D’Antoni:

Avoids question on how Anderson and Gordon will be utilized and whether they will start
He does commit saying roles will be defined with guaranteed minutes (assuming players give effort)
Asked how he plans to utilize Gordon and Harden together he again wouldn’t commit especially regarding how he plans to manage ball handling. D’Antoni did clarify he prefers not to consider players in specific positions preferring rather to see them as players who can guard various players i.e. postionless.

Ryan Anderson :

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Says this was a long time coming wanted to play in Houston for ever
Calls Harden best player in NBA
Specifically is excited for the wide open looks he’ll gain via Harden’s passes.
Loves team culture and was impressed Leslie Alexander was at meeting
Says his first call after agreement to come to Houston was to Eric Gordon
His statement that he was looking forward to a team with strong defined roles and solid chemistry like he had in Orlando was very telling (i.e. that didn’t exist in New Orleans!)

Eric Gordon:

Excited to be part of winning organization which he hasn’t had much experience with

Reiterated Anderson’s sentiments about wanting to play in Houston for a long time

Says his injuries have all been of the ‘fluke’ nature and there aren’t concerns of re-injury for any of his previous ailments.

For the full press conference watch the top video.

SCS will update as free agency news develops. For now if you’re a fan who wants to follow free agency closely consider checking out my Free Agency Profiles for all 30 teams:

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