AJ Griffin converted to Christianity four years ago and has now decided to give up basketball and lost millions of dollars. Some fans ridiculed: When he has no money, he will want to come back.
AJ Griffin's abrupt departure leaves only 19 players on the Rockets roster to attend training camp. Originally, General Manager Stone didn't want to sign anyone, but he changed his mind.
Head coach Udoka wants to engage in high-intensity group confrontation after the start of the training camp and needs sparring. On the other hand, the Vipers also need to replenish their manpower for the new season. Under such circumstances, the Rockets signed two players in a row to complete the 21-man training camp roster.
Houston reporter Kelly Eco revealed that the two sparring partners signed by the Rockets this time are 27-year-old Thorne Meck, who is 2.13 meters tall, and Marquis Nowell, who is 24 years old and 1.73 meters tall.
Meck was the No. 10 pick in 2016 and had good physical talent, but unfortunately he didn't make a name for himself in the league. That year, the Rockets used a second-round pick to select Zhou Qi, known as the Asian Durant, who also failed to cash in on his talent. It is worth mentioning that Thorne Meck, nicknamed Australian Zhou Qi, a few years ago Kelly Eco suggested that Stone give him a chance to try. Now that Meck is finally in his Rocket training suit, he can't wait to join the joint practice.
According to the reporter's revelations, Udoka placed Meck in a group with Landale, both of whom are Australian and can communicate. Also in the same group are Udoka's two favorites, Van Jordan and Ethan.
Jalen Green and Adams are in a group, with the latter not possessing the ball and being good at covering. Two shooters, Holiday and McVeigh, are also on this group and they can open up space for Jalen Green. Jalen Green was an eye-catcher in training camp as he showed off his physical gifts by making lightning breaks and then taking off the dunk.
Jalen Green admits that he likes fast-paced basketball, but Udoka wants him to learn to slow down and play and read the game, rather than rushing forward.
Having not gone to college, he played happy basketball under Silas for two years, and it was only last season that Jalen Green began to learn how to play basketball properly. Judging from the highlights, Jalen Green plays with a good rhythm and a good feel, which also makes many Rockets fans look forward to him.
Shepard and Alperen Sengun, two players of the golf quotient, are in the same group and would theoretically be compatible. The former can open up space with outside shots, and the latter can play singles and assists on the inside.
Shepard, although only a rookie, has received a lot of attention, and he has become the new favorite of Houston. Shepard maintains a modest and cautious style, saying in an interview that he has received a lot of help and still has a lot to learn.
Shepard praised Van Jordan as a great leader and role model: as long as we were on the court together, he would always talk to me and teach me little things, he would be someone I could trust, he would tell me the right things, I would love to be coached by him, he was a winner. I'm very excited about our relationship.
Meke wanted to make a good impression on Udoka, and he practiced for a long time. Shepard wants to get consistent playing time, he takes the initiative to practice, and he is also a training gym rat.
The new Rockets training hall has two courts and is equipped with a tracking system that evaluates every shot. Coaches can get real-time information near the scoreboard to evaluate player performance in training. Shepard loved the equipment, which he had already medicalized while playing at the University of Kentucky, which allowed him to improve his shooting. Shepard was lucky enough to be able to check out the new gym when he first arrived, and he was so excited that he couldn't stop practicing.