Houston Rockets: Shane Battier's Back, But It's Still Preseason

Shane Battier returned to the Houston Rockets lineup on Monday night, Oct. 12, against the Milwaukee Bucks in a preseason tune-up.

Although the Rockets lost the game, 96-92, moving them to 2-2 in preseason play, they still are looking quite impressive.

Despite dropping their past two matchups, the Rockets made valiant comebacks in both—falling just short in the fourth and final quarter.

With the regular season right around the corner, it’s only a matter of time before we see the REAL Rockets basketball team hit the hardwood in Houston.

The Rockets return to preseason action tonight (Oct. 15) against the Toronto Raptors on the road—with tipoff slated for 6:00 pm.

“When you’re making shots offense seems to come pretty easy,” Battier said following the Rockets defeat to the Bucks. “The really good offensive teams in this league find ways to score when the shots start falling. To our credit, we did a much better job of getting to the free throw line and trying to manufacture some points, but we just had a poor shooting night. When we have one of those nights we can’t succumb to a lack of movement because then you become even easier to guard.”

Although Battier is happy with the team’s progression thus far, he believes the Rockets are still a work in progress.

“We have a lot to work on,” Battier said on Tuesday, Oct. 13. “Our pick-and-roll defense wasn’t very good in the first half and as a result, because we had to help so much in pick-and-rolls, we left the three-point line open. With this team we have to protect the paint and we have to protect the three-point line and when we don’t do one of those things, we get broken down and beat.”

However, it is still just preseason play.

For newcomer Trevor Ariza, he’s just ready to get out on the court and form a bond with his teammates.

“We’re just going to work on the chemistry right now and go out and play hard every night and see what happens,” Ariza said.

Rockets head coach Rick Adelman is making a few adjustments this season with a young and energetic team, and he hopes the group can mold into a solid core by the time the preseason schedule concludes.

“We’re trying to tweak what we’ve done in the past,” Adelman said following Houston’s loss at Milwaukee. “I don’t know yet who’s going to step up and take command. I thought Trevor in the first half did a better job attacking, but it’s hit and miss right now with us. I’ve got to really look at it and make some judgments to find out what really is going to be good for this team.

“What’s going to give us the best chance to keep going? Right now I see some glimmers, but not enough. Tonight was disappointing, but more on the defensive end than anything else in the first half.”

The Rockets get a chance at preseason redemption tonight when they face the Raptors, as Houston aims to get back on track before the regular season tips off Oct. 27 at Portland.

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]