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Big Sarge Media: “It was pretty easy, said Houston Rockets GM Rafael Stone about getting the 5-year, $208 million contract extension done for G/F Amen Thompson. “He wants to be here and we want to be with him.” #Rockets #Sarge @TheRocketsWire
Franchise Segun: Rockets GM Rafael Stone on visiting Alperen Şengün in Türkiye: "We had some good conversations at the end of last year. Part of it was Alpi putting pressure on me [to communicate better]." Stone added that Şengün specifically asked to hear from him more often, whether it was "good, bad, or ugly."
Lachard Binkley: After having one of the leagues lowest scoring benches last season I asked Rafael Stone how much better the bench will be this season adding players like Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanović. “We wanted to be more skilled and they’re both highly skilled players.”
Lachard Binkley: Rafael Stone talked about the veterans brought in this past offseason but also spoke what will ultimately determine the Rockets success this season. “Our team only gets to where we want to get if our younger players continue to really improve so the onus is still on them.”
Chancellor Johnson: Rafael Stone spent two weeks over the offseason in Turkey hanging out with his All-Star Alperen Sengun. Asked him about it and he revealed an interesting conversation he had with Alpi that helped spark the trip 🇹🇷 “It was a great experience, beautiful country, really nice people.”
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ClutchFans: Rockets GM Rafael Stone NBA Summer League interview: - Really likes rookie Bruce Thornton - the unique build, physicality, shotmaking and ability to take care of the ball. Test will be if he can translate that to the next level. - Very excited about Marcus Smart's versatility. "Feels like a Rocket so I'm glad we could finally make it happen." He says he's happy with him defending any position, including at center. - Loves the defensive switchability options the Rockets now have with Smart, Jabari, Tari and Amen. - Wants to take the minutes load off of Kevin Durant this season. - Says Reed Sheppard has "put on a ton of good weight, a bunch of muscle."
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone spoke to media for ~8 minutes. Couple big takeaways - As of right now, everyone is on track to be a full go at training camp - Wanted to add more ballhandling/passing, felt like they did that w Bogi and Smart - Guesstimated that Reed Sheppard added ~10 pounds
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone, asked if Reed Sheppard is Houston's starting point guard down the road. "My expectation for him is he should be. I think he should be a really good one. I think that's his expectation for himself as well."
Stone said he doesn’t believe in “going to get a point guard because they’re a point guard.” He explained that rather than acquire a strong ballhandler and passer who is a weak defender and shooter, the Rockets would rather cobble the point guard position together. “No one guards (some point guards) after they make the initial pass and then on the other end, they’re just a sieve,” he said. “And those players do exist in the NBA. There’s quite a few of them and they’re available. But I didn’t think that would make us better on the whole.”
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“I don’t see (team governor) Tilman (Fertitta) ever wanting to take a step back that isn’t strategic,” Stone said. “If we weren’t (in the tax), it’s because of some opportunity to do something else that is basketball related.”
Varun Shankar: Stone: "The offseason plan isn't, '[FVV/Adams are] coming back, it's fine.' "I think it's much more looking at our young guys and saying, 'You guys need to improve.'" Stone noted that the young guys showed improvement throughout the 25-26 season.
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone said doesn't feel adding a PG for PG's sake is helpful. Doesn't want someone who just gets you into sets / isn't a threat after the initial pass / can't defend or shoot.
Varun Shankar: Rafael Stone and Ime Udoka both say this team should have won more games. Stone called the season frustrating. Didn't say firmly if team would make big moves but said even if HOU doesn't, expects growth from young players (mentioned Tari Eason, Jabari Smith, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard) to lead to addnl success.
