Houston Rockets: Omer Asik To Miss Time With Strained Calf

Sep 27, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Omer Asik (3) poses for a picture during media day at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets came into training camp with 5 centers on their roster. Now, it appears that only 2 of them are able to suit up, at least for the time being.

Omer Asik left Sunday’s practice with a strained calf muscle and is officially listed as day-to-day. This marks the 3rd Rockets center to miss practice time due to an injury: both Greg Smith(hip) and Marcus Camby(plantar fasciitis) have not been able to practice yet.

Depending on how long Asik will sit out, this could be a huge hit for the Rockets plan of playing both him and Dwight Howard on the floor together.

But then again, it may not depending on Howard’s logic of how the 2 big men would work together, as he stated that it would be quite easy to make the tandem work.

“For me and Omer to work is real simple,” Howard said. “If I get the rebound, he has to run the floor, be that first big to seal, try to get easy buckets. If he gets the rebound, it’s the same thing. On the defensive end, I have the ability to guard fours. I’ve done it in the past. I like the challenge. I think me and him can play together. Even if he comes off the bench, I think that’s great because the defense won’t go down. He’s a great defender. I think he’s going to be great. I know he wants to win just like we all do.”

There’s no timetable yet for Asik to return, while Howard and rookie Jordan Henriquez are the only 2 centers who are able to practice.