Houston Rockets • 2003-2004 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Houston Rockets • 2003-2004 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
Houston Rockets • 2003-2004 Media Guide - NBA Media Central
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<strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> <strong>•</strong> <strong>2003</strong>-<strong>2004</strong> <strong>Media</strong> <strong>Guide</strong><br />
Toyota Center 1510 Polk Street <strong>Houston</strong>, TX 77002 (713) 758-7200<br />
Edited and Compiled by Dan McKenna<br />
Cover Design by Ninh Pham<br />
Editorial Assistance by<br />
Nelson Luis, Tracey Hughes, Jim Foley, Matt Rochinski, Bob Schranz, Andrew Ware<br />
Copyright <strong>2003</strong> <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
The information contained in this publication was compiled by the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> and is provided as a courtesy to our fans and<br />
the press and may be used only for personal or editorial purposes. Any commercial use of this information is prohibited without the<br />
prior written consent of the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>. All <strong>NBA</strong> and team insignia depicted in this publication are the property of <strong>NBA</strong><br />
Properties, Inc. and the respective teams and may not be reproduced for commercial purposes without the prior written consent of<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> Properties, Inc. Photography by Bill Baptist and <strong>NBA</strong> Photos. Printing by Judy Hammond and Champagne Fine Printing.<br />
1
INFORMATION<br />
General Information<br />
<strong>2003</strong>-<strong>2004</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> Roster ......... Inside Front Cover<br />
<strong>Media</strong> <strong>Guide</strong> Credits ................................................. 1<br />
Table of Contents .................................................... 2<br />
<strong>Media</strong> Information .................................................... 3<br />
Directory ................................................................ 4-5<br />
Owner Leslie Alexander ......................................... 6-7<br />
President & CEO George Postolos .......................... 8<br />
The Basketball Staff<br />
General Manager Carroll Dawson ............................ 9<br />
Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy .......................... 10-11<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Basketball Staff ................................. 12-23<br />
The Players<br />
John Amaechi .................................................... 26-27<br />
Kelvin Cato ........................................................ 28-29<br />
Steve Francis .................................................... 30-31<br />
Adrian Griffin ..................................................... 32-33<br />
Eddie Griffin ...................................................... 34-35<br />
Jim Jackson ...................................................... 36-37<br />
Cuttino Mobley .................................................. 38-39<br />
Bostjan Nachbar ................................................ 40-41<br />
"Moochie" Norris ................................................ 42-43<br />
Eric Piatkowski .................................................. 44-45<br />
Maurice Taylor ................................................... 46-47<br />
Yao Ming ............................................................ 48-49<br />
Training Camp Invitees ..................................... 50-53<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Career Highs ........................................... 54<br />
The Business Team<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Business Team ................................... 56-69<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Entertainers ........................................ 72-75<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Media</strong> Directory .................................. 78-79<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> TV/Radio ............................................. 80-82<br />
Clutch City Foundation ..................................... 84-87<br />
Toyota Center ................................................... 88-91<br />
The Championship Years .................................. 92-93<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> In Review<br />
Final Statistics ....................................................... 96<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Transactions ............................................ 96<br />
Miscellaneous Statistics ........................................ 97<br />
Game-by-Game Results ................................... 98-99<br />
Team Highs & Lows .............................................. 100<br />
Individual Highs ..................................................... 101<br />
Game Highs .......................................................... 102<br />
The Records<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Career Leaders ............................... 104-105<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> 40-Point Club .................................. 106-107<br />
Opponents 40-Point Club ...................................... 108<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Team Records ................................ 109-111<br />
Opponents Team Records ............................ 112-114<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Individual Records ......................... 115-118<br />
Opponents Individual Records ............................. 119<br />
Compaq Center Team Records ............................ 120<br />
Compaq Center Individual Records ..................... 121<br />
Rookie Records ..................................................... 122<br />
Triple-Doubles ........................................................ 123<br />
Record by Months ................................................. 124<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> vs. Divisions .......................................... 124<br />
Yearly Streaks ...................................................... 125<br />
Record vs. Opponents ......................................... 126<br />
All-Time Overtime Record .................................... 126<br />
High Scorers vs. Opponents ................................ 127<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Miscellaneous Records .......................... 128<br />
TABLE OF CONTENTS<br />
2<br />
The History<br />
History of the <strong>Rockets</strong> ................................. 130-131<br />
Overall Record/Coaching Record ........................ 132<br />
Home Attendance ................................................. 133<br />
Ownership Chronology .......................................... 133<br />
Retired Numbers: Clyde Drexler .................. 134-135<br />
Retired Numbers: Moses Malone ................. 136-137<br />
Retired Numbers: Calvin Murphy ................ 138-139<br />
Retired Numbers: Hakeem Olajuwon ........... 140-141<br />
Retired Numbers: Rudy Tomjanovich ......... 142-143<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> in the Hall of Fame ................................ 144<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> on National Teams ................................. 144<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Honors ........................................... 145<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Dates and Deals ............................ 146-151<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> in the Draft ..................................... 152-154<br />
All-Time Starting Lineups .............................. 155-156<br />
All-Time Numbers .................................................. 157<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> in All-Star Games ................................... 158<br />
Year-by-Year Team Statistics ...................... 159-193<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> All-Time Roster ............................... 194-222<br />
The Playoffs<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> in the Playoffs ....................................... 224<br />
Year-by-Year Results ................................... 225-229<br />
Year-by-Year Statistics ................................ 230-235<br />
Cumulative Playoff Statistics .............................. 236<br />
Playoff Records ........................................... 237-239<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> All-Time Playoff Leaders ............... 240-241<br />
Best Playoff Series .............................................. 241<br />
Playoff Series Records ........................................ 242<br />
The <strong>NBA</strong><br />
<strong>NBA</strong> Directory ....................................................... 244<br />
<strong>2003</strong>-<strong>2004</strong> National Television Schedule ............. 245<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Standings .................................... 246<br />
Divisional Alignments ........................................... 246<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Awards ........................................ 247<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Leaders ............................... 248-249<br />
<strong>2003</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Playoff Results & Leaders ......... 250-251<br />
Opponents Information<br />
Atlanta Hawks ....................................................... 252<br />
Boston Celtics ....................................................... 253<br />
Chicago Bulls ........................................................ 254<br />
Cleveland Cavaliers ............................................. 255<br />
Dallas Mavericks ................................................... 256<br />
Denver Nuggets .................................................... 257<br />
Detroit Pistons ...................................................... 258<br />
Golden State Warriors ........................................... 259<br />
Indiana Pacers ...................................................... 260<br />
Los Angeles Clippers ............................................ 261<br />
Los Angeles Lakers ............................................... 262<br />
Memphis Grizzlies .................................................. 263<br />
Miami Heat ............................................................ 264<br />
Milwaukee Bucks ................................................... 265<br />
Minnesota Timberwolves ....................................... 266<br />
New Jersey Nets .................................................. 267<br />
New Orleans Hornets ............................................ 268<br />
New York Knicks ................................................... 269<br />
Orlando Magic ........................................................ 270<br />
Philadelphia 76ers ................................................. 271<br />
Phoenix Suns ........................................................ 272<br />
Portland Trail Blazers ............................................. 273<br />
Sacramento Kings ................................................. 274<br />
San Antonio Spurs ................................................. 275<br />
Seattle SuperSonics .............................................. 276<br />
Toronto Raptors ..................................................... 277<br />
Utah Jazz ............................................................... 278<br />
Washington Wizards ............................................. 279<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> Personnel Facts/Key Dates ........................ 280<br />
<strong>2003</strong>-<strong>2004</strong> <strong>NBA</strong> Officiating Crew ......................... 280
<strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> Toyota Center 1510 Polk Street <strong>Houston</strong>, TX 77002<br />
Phone: (713) 758-7200 <strong>Media</strong> Relations Fax: (713) 758-7339<br />
Other Office: 1200 North Federal Highway Suite 307 Boca Raton, FL 33432<br />
Credentials<br />
All requests for working press, photo<br />
and broadcast credentials for<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> home games<br />
should be made in writing on<br />
company letterhead at least two<br />
days prior to the game in question.<br />
Direct all requests to Nelson Luis,<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> Director of <strong>Media</strong><br />
Relations. All credentials can be<br />
acquired at the Toyota Center media<br />
entrance on LaBranch Street.<br />
Directions from:<br />
George W. Bush Intercontinental<br />
Airport to Toyota Center: Take<br />
U.S. 59 South to Downtown Exit ...<br />
turn right on Congress Street ... turn<br />
left on LaBranch Street ... Toyota<br />
Center is located at the intersection<br />
of LaBranch Street and Polk Street.<br />
Hobby Airport to Toyota Center:<br />
Take I-45 North ... exit Scott Street<br />
towards Downtown ... turn left on<br />
Pease Street ... turn right on Austin<br />
Street ... turn right on Clay Street ...<br />
turn right on LaBranch Street ...<br />
Toyota Center is located at the<br />
intersection of LaBranch Street and<br />
Polk Street .<br />
Fax-on-Demand<br />
In conjunction with the <strong>NBA</strong><br />
FaxBack, all game notes, rosters,<br />
statistics, schedules and box scores<br />
will be available on the system. The<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> FaxBack number is (201) 974-<br />
6094.<br />
Game Night<br />
The media entrance is located on<br />
the LaBranch Street side of Toyota<br />
Center. The press door opens two<br />
hours prior to tipoff. Press parking<br />
is at the Toyota Tundra Parking<br />
Garage (connected to the arena)<br />
and the First City Tower Garage (at<br />
the intersection of Lamar and<br />
Caroline). Parking is for working<br />
media only with proper credentials.<br />
Interviews<br />
All interview requests should be<br />
directed to Nelson Luis. The <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
coaching staff and players are<br />
available for interviews after practice<br />
only. Players are generally available<br />
before games up to 45 minutes<br />
before tipoff; following games —<br />
after a 15-minute cooling off period<br />
— both coaches will be available in<br />
their respective locker rooms.<br />
Anyone wearing a media credential<br />
will not be allowed to obtain<br />
autographs.<br />
MEDIA INFORMATION<br />
3<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> <strong>Media</strong> Relations<br />
Nelson Luis ..................................................... (713) 758-7337<br />
Director, <strong>Media</strong> Relations ................................. nelsonl@rocketball.com<br />
Dan McKenna ............................................... (713) 758-7205<br />
Manager, <strong>Media</strong> Relations .................................. danm@rocketball.com<br />
Tracey Hughes ............................................ (713) 758-7335<br />
Assistant Manager, <strong>Media</strong> Relations .............. traceyh@rocketball.com<br />
Susan Newquest ......................................... (713) 758-7309<br />
Manager, Corporate <strong>Media</strong> Relations ............. susann@rocketball.com<br />
Matt Rochinski ................................................. (713) 758-7208<br />
Coordinator, <strong>Media</strong> Relations .............................. mattr@rocketball.com<br />
Photographers<br />
The photography areas in Toyota<br />
Center are on the baselines opposite<br />
both team benches. No<br />
photographers will be allowed on the<br />
sideline areas in front or behind the<br />
team benches or in front of press<br />
row. Please make all requests to<br />
purchase strobe lighting to Nelson<br />
Luis at least two days prior to the<br />
game in question. Please observe<br />
the <strong>NBA</strong> rules for player escape<br />
routes — an open area<br />
approximately five feet on both<br />
sides of the basket. For player<br />
safety, we also ask that you do not<br />
leave your camera unattended in<br />
your working area. No tripods are<br />
permitted on the floor.<br />
Practices<br />
All practice sessions will be closed.<br />
Players and staff will be available<br />
for interviews during a designated<br />
access period, either before or after<br />
practice.<br />
General Information<br />
Production Requests<br />
All television/radio production<br />
requests should be directed to Joel<br />
Blank, the Director of Broadcasting<br />
for the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>, at (713)<br />
758-7348.<br />
Statistical Services<br />
Complete game statistics, including<br />
the final box score, running playby-play<br />
and quotes will be provided.<br />
For those sitting on press row,<br />
screens with the box score,<br />
percentages, notes and other data<br />
continuously updated, are provided.<br />
A stats screen is provided in the<br />
auxiliary press area and in the press<br />
room as well. Scores of other games<br />
will also be made available. The<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> <strong>Media</strong> Relations<br />
Department will provide faxing<br />
service to all working media upon<br />
request.<br />
Telephone Services<br />
Two telephones are provided on<br />
press row for use by visiting media<br />
members. Five other phones are<br />
available in the <strong>Media</strong> Workroom.<br />
For additional phone lines, please<br />
contact Kim Cox at (713) 758-7288.<br />
Home Arena ...................................................... Toyota Center<br />
Arena Capacity ............................................................ 18,500<br />
First Game Played in Arena .............................. Oct. 30, <strong>2003</strong><br />
Team Colors ................................................ Red, Silver, White<br />
Conference Affiliation ............................................... Western<br />
Divisional Affiliation .................................................. Midwest<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> Record .............................. 43-39 regular season<br />
2002-<strong>2003</strong> Ranking .......................................... Fifth, Midwest<br />
Web Site Address .................................... www.rockets.com<br />
INFORMATION
DIRECTORY<br />
ROCKETS DIRECTORY<br />
Owner ......................................................................................................................................................................... Leslie Alexander<br />
President & Chief Executive Officer ........................................................................................................................... George Postolos<br />
Chief Financial Officer ................................................................................................................................................ Marcus Jolibois<br />
Vice President, Business Development .......................................................................................................................... David Carlock<br />
Vice President, Corporate Development ..................................................................................................................... Thaddeus Brown<br />
Vice President, Legal Affairs ..................................................................................................................................... Stacy Humphries<br />
Vice President, Marketing ............................................................................................................................................ Tim McDougall<br />
Vice President, Sales & Services ...................................................................................................................................... Mark Norelli<br />
General Counsel ...................................................................................................................................................... Michael Goldberg<br />
Basketball Operations<br />
General Manager ........................................................................................................................................................ Carroll Dawson<br />
Head Coach .................................................................................................................................................................. Jeff Van Gundy<br />
Assistant Head Coach .................................................................................................................................................. Tom Thibodeau<br />
Assistant Coaches ............................................................................................................... Patrick Ewing, Steve Clifford, Andy Greer<br />
Vice President of Basketball Operations/Player Personnel ........................................................................................... Dennis Lindsey<br />
Vice President of Basketball Operations/Athletic Trainer ................................................................................................... Keith Jones<br />
Personnel Consultant ............................................................................................................................................... Rudy Tomjanovich<br />
Assistant Athletic Trainer .............................................................................................................................................. Michelle Leget<br />
Equipment Manager ............................................................................................................................................................ Jay Namoc<br />
Assistant Equipment Manager .......................................................................................................................................... Anthony Nila<br />
Strength & Conditioning Coach .................................................................................................................................. Anthony Falsone<br />
Rehabilitation Coordinator/Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach .............................................................................. David Macha<br />
Personnel Scout ............................................................................................................................................................. Brent Johnson<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> Personnel Scout ...................................................................................................................................................... Dean Cooper<br />
College & International Scout ............................................................................................................................................ Melvin Hunt<br />
International Basketball Consultant .......................................................................................................................... Gianluca Pascucci<br />
Video Coordinator ............................................................................................................................................................... Mike Wells<br />
Assistant Video Coordinator ....................................................................................................................................... Mike Longabardi<br />
Manager, Basketball Operations ........................................................................................................................................ Sally Martin<br />
Basketball Operations Executive Assistant ................................................................................................................... Sandie Largent<br />
Basketball Operations Receptionist ............................................................................................................................... Drelda Mackey<br />
Team Physicians ........................................................................................................................................ Texas Orthopedic Hospital<br />
................................................................ G. William Woods, James Bennett, J. Bryan Williamson, Hussein Elkousy, David Loncarich<br />
.............................................................................. Thomas Mehlhoff, Gary Gartsman, James Muntz, Robert Gillett, Thomas O'Brien<br />
Broadcasting<br />
Director, Broadcasting/Events & Promotions ....................................................................................................................... Joel Blank<br />
Broadcast Manager .................................................................................................................................................... Craig Ackerman<br />
Television Features Producer ..................................................................................................................................... Mike McMannes<br />
Broadcasting Senior Editor ....................................................................................................................................... Joe Abercrombie<br />
Broadcast Camera Operator ............................................................................................................................................. Evan Gelber<br />
Television Producer/Director .............................................................................................................................................. Tim Parris<br />
Radio Announcers .............................................................. Gene Peterson, Jim Foley, Craig Ackerman (KILT SportsRadio 610 AM)<br />
Spanish Radio Announcers ........................................................................................... Adrian Chavarria, Alex Parra (KYST 920 AM)<br />
Television Announcers .................................................... Bill Worrell, Calvin Murphy, Jeff Hagedorn, Cynthia Cooper (KNWS TV51)<br />
Community Relations<br />
Director, Community Relations ........................................................................................................................................ Sarah Joseph<br />
Community Relations Coordinators ............................................................................................................. Jill Carroll, Nicole Wilson<br />
Community Relations Advisor ......................................................................................................................................... Calvin Murphy<br />
Corporate Development<br />
Director, Corporate Account Management ............................................................................................................ Frances Castaneda<br />
Directors, Corporate Development ..................................................................................... Jason Bitsoff, Todd Burnette, Bill Manning<br />
Manager, Premium Sales & Service .............................................................................................................................. Armando Wood<br />
Premium Sales Executives ......................................................................................................................... Jay Ory, Deborah Schnitzer<br />
Corporate Account Managers .............................................................. Juan Bell, Jennifer Jacobellis, Terence Lau, Mike Schnieders<br />
Corporate Development Coordinator ................................................................................................................................... Avina Parti<br />
Premium Sales & Service Coordinator ........................................................................................................... Stephanie de Ybarrondo<br />
Assistant to the Vice President, Corporate Development .............................................................................................. Barbara Arnold<br />
Finance & Administration<br />
Assistant Counsel ........................................................................................................................................................ Karen Freeman<br />
Director, Business Development ......................................................................................................................................... Ken Sheirr<br />
Director, Finance ........................................................................................................................................................... David Jackson<br />
Director, Human Resources ......................................................................................................................................... Vivian LeFlore<br />
Director, Information Technology/Telecommunications .................................................................................................... Saul Fuentes<br />
Managers, Finance ......................................................................................................................................... Larry Kaiser, Sue Feng<br />
Manager, Administrative Services ...................................................................................................................................... Terri Glenn<br />
Manager, Information Technology ........................................................................................................................................ Victor Tan<br />
Manager, Telecommunications ............................................................................................................................................... Kim Cox<br />
Executive Assistants .................................................................................................................................. Patty Betros, Juanette Colby<br />
Senior Receptionist ......................................................................................................................................................... Sandra Banks<br />
4
ROCKETS DIRECTORY<br />
Finance & Administration (continued)<br />
Help Desk Administrators ....................................................................................................................... Kenny Alaniz, Danny Jackson<br />
Human Resources & Employment Specialist ................................................................................................................... Avilene Pham<br />
Human Resources & Training Specialist ...................................................................................................................... Lorayne Justis<br />
Payroll Administrators ....................................................................................................................... Noma Cashman, Diane LaForme<br />
Staff Accountants ................................................................................................................................ Audrey Barnes, Regine Lindner<br />
Accounts Payable Coordinators ............................................................................................................... Eloise Gamez, Cindy Renfro<br />
Business Development Coordinator ............................................................................................................................ Erin Schnieders<br />
Business & Travel Coordinator .................................................................................................................................. Tricia Santopinto<br />
Human Resources Coordinator ......................................................................................................................................... Aurelia Paul<br />
Administrative Services Assistant ................................................................................................................................... Sara Mayorga<br />
Marketing<br />
Director, Creativity & Planning ................................................................................................................................... Jim Wegerbauer<br />
Director, Market Development ........................................................................................................................... Audrey Cheng Trevino<br />
Manager, Dance Team Operations ............................................................................................................................... Marilu Amador<br />
Manager, Game Operations ............................................................................................................................................... John Leach<br />
Manager, Hospitality Events ..................................................................................................................................... Madeline Spector<br />
Manager, Promotions ........................................................................................................................................................ Julie Keeton<br />
Assistant Manager, Internet Marketing ........................................................................................................................... Andrew Ware<br />
Mascot Event Specialist .............................................................................................................................................. Robert Boudwin<br />
Graphic Designer ............................................................................................................................................................... Ninh Pham<br />
Account Planning Coordinators ....................................................................................................................... Aaron Bryan, Fay Wells<br />
Promotions Coordinators ........................................................................ Clay Allen, Leilani Borbon, Jill Costanza, Heather Gonzales<br />
Game Operations Coordinator ................................................................................................................................... Andrew Foreman<br />
Mascot Coordinator ...................................................................................................................................................... Dominic Davila<br />
Traffic Coordinator .............................................................................................................................................................. Hai Duong<br />
<strong>Media</strong> Relations<br />
Director, <strong>Media</strong> Relations .................................................................................................................................................. Nelson Luis<br />
Manager, <strong>Rockets</strong> <strong>Media</strong> Relations ............................................................................................................................... Dan McKenna<br />
Manager, Corporate <strong>Media</strong> Relations ....................................................................................................................... Susan Newquest<br />
Manager, Comets <strong>Media</strong> Relations ................................................................................................................................. Bob Schranz<br />
Assistant Manager, <strong>Media</strong> Relations ........................................................................................................................... Tracey Hughes<br />
<strong>Media</strong> Relations Coordinator ........................................................................................................................................ Matt Rochinski<br />
Ticket Sales & Services<br />
Director, Ticket Operations ................................................................................................................................................ Josh Logan<br />
Manager, Customer Service ......................................................................................................................................... Brandon Moss<br />
Manager, Group Sales ........................................................................................................................................................ Jodi Jasso<br />
Manager, Inside Sales .................................................................................................................................................. Gretchen Mury<br />
Manager, Ticket Operations ............................................................................................................................................. Michael Mall<br />
Manager, Comets Tickets Sales & Services ................................................................................................................... April Sanders<br />
Assistant Manager, Ticket Operations ...................................................................................................................... Dennis Moynihan<br />
Box Office Supervisor, Toyota Center ............................................................................................................................... Elvin Darden<br />
Customer Service Representatives ............................................................................. Stephen Jones, Tonya Stephens, Shelita Young<br />
Ticket Operations Representatives ................................................................................................. Eric Marglous, Stephanie Morales<br />
Group Sales Account Executives ...................................................................... Cheri Lisko, Sandra Moore-Vetter, Linda Rocamontes<br />
Ticket Sales Account Executives ............................................ Brandon Barentine, Jerry Burke, Chris Costa, Zee French, Jason Kholl<br />
.................................................................................................. Stanley Lee, Wesley Littles, Kyle Martin, Gene McIntyre, Brea Walker<br />
Sales Coordinator ......................................................................................................................................................... Kendra Bewyer<br />
Ticket Operations Coordinator ...................................................................................................................................... Chrystal Martin<br />
Toyota Center Operations<br />
General Manager ................................................................................................................................................................. Doug Hall<br />
Director, Arena Operations .................................................................................................................................... Stephen Rosebrook<br />
Director, Scoreboard Operations ....................................................................................................................................... Doug Swan<br />
Director, Retail & Operations ........................................................................................................................................ Chris DiPierri<br />
Chief Engineer ................................................................................................................................................................... Greg Poole<br />
Manager, Audio/Visual .................................................................................................................................................... Chris Manley<br />
Manager, Booking & Sales .......................................................................................................................................... Andréa Bouchey<br />
Manager, Event Services ......................................................................................................................................... Chris Klosterman<br />
Manager, Facility Services .................................................................................................................................................. Billy Poché<br />
Manager, Guest Services ................................................................................................................................................ Scott Manley<br />
Manager, Production ..................................................................................................................................................... Brandon Meier<br />
Manager, Security .......................................................................................................................................................... Bryant Savage<br />
Senior Building Operator ............................................................................................................................................... Edgar Portillo<br />
Building Electrician ..................................................................................................................................................... Daniel O'Malley<br />
Assistant Manager, Booking & Sales ............................................................................................................................. Jamie Nielsen<br />
Assistant Manager, Facility Services .......................................................................................................................... Scott Calabrese<br />
Event Coordinators ................................................................................................................................... Annie Hunnel, Jaime Taylor<br />
Group Sales Coordinator ............................................................................................................................................ Jason Robichau<br />
Guest Services Coordinators ......................................................................................................... Todd McElwee, Shemona Simpson<br />
Administrative Assistants ...................................................................................................................... Deborah Allen, Elonda Benton<br />
5<br />
DIRECTORY
LESLIE ALEXANDER<br />
Owner<br />
Purchased Team: July 30, 1993<br />
College: New York University '65<br />
6
When Leslie Alexander purchased the <strong>Rockets</strong> on<br />
July 30, 1993, he made it clear that he wanted the<br />
best franchise in professional sports — both on<br />
and off the court. His mission was simple: to win<br />
championships for <strong>Houston</strong> and to help<br />
<strong>Houston</strong>ians in need. He has succeeded<br />
repeatedly on both fronts, but constantly searches<br />
for ways to take his mission to a higher level.<br />
“I’ve always believed that sports teams are in the<br />
unique position to make a real difference in their<br />
communities,” Alexander said. “When I bought<br />
the <strong>Rockets</strong>, that was my dream. I hoped to make<br />
a difference for the people of <strong>Houston</strong>, both<br />
emotionally and financially.”<br />
Since 1993, Alexander has dedicated himself to<br />
building the <strong>Rockets</strong> franchise in every area. His<br />
tireless efforts to construct a downtown arena<br />
became a reality this year with the opening of<br />
Toyota Center.<br />
“I want to do the most we can every year to win the<br />
championship,” he said. “That’s always our goal,<br />
and it has been thrilling to see what we've<br />
accomplished over the last ten years.”<br />
Alexander has continually proven his commitment<br />
to success. He has engineered numerous moves<br />
to enable the <strong>Rockets</strong> to improve the team:<br />
In 1995, Alexander orchestrated a deal with<br />
Portland to bring <strong>Houston</strong> native Clyde Drexler to<br />
the <strong>Rockets</strong>. This trade served as a springboard to<br />
<strong>Houston</strong>’s second-consecutive championship just<br />
four months later.<br />
In 1996, Alexander signed Hakeem Olajuwon<br />
to a long-term contract extension.<br />
In 1996, Alexander acquired <strong>NBA</strong> All-Star<br />
Charles Barkley from Phoenix.<br />
In 1997, Alexander gave a multi-year contract<br />
extension to Head Coach Rudy Tomjanovich.<br />
In 1999, the <strong>Rockets</strong> traded with Chicago for<br />
six-time <strong>NBA</strong> champion Scottie Pippen.<br />
In 1999, Alexander acquired Steve Francis,<br />
giving <strong>Houston</strong>, at that time, its highest-drafted<br />
player since Olajuwon joined the team in 1984.<br />
In 2002, Alexander and the <strong>Rockets</strong> made<br />
history with the first overall pick of the 2002 <strong>NBA</strong><br />
Draft by selecting Yao Ming, making him the firstever<br />
player from an international league to be<br />
drafted number one.<br />
In <strong>2003</strong>, Alexander hired Jeff Van Gundy as<br />
the 10th head coach in franchise history. Van<br />
Gundy comes to <strong>Houston</strong> after posting a winning<br />
record in each of his seven seasons with New York.<br />
Alexander spearheaded the team’s search for a<br />
new coach. Among the highly qualified candidates<br />
interviewed, Alexander decided that Van Gundy<br />
most possessed the personal qualities and coaching<br />
experience to develop <strong>Houston</strong>’s talent and lead<br />
the <strong>Rockets</strong> to postseason success.<br />
7<br />
While Alexander’s teams have been most<br />
successful on the basketball court, unique to the<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> organization is its off-the-court<br />
commitment to the community. Building a better<br />
quality of life for <strong>Houston</strong>ians is a driving force for<br />
Alexander and the <strong>Rockets</strong>. A decade of active<br />
community involvement has resulted in more<br />
than $5 million in donations to local charities and<br />
allowed the <strong>Rockets</strong> to impact tens of thousands<br />
of <strong>Houston</strong>ians each year.<br />
“It’s so important to me that the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
find a way to thank the fans for their overwhelming<br />
devotion to our team. One way we try to do that<br />
is by reaching out to young people through our<br />
community programs and fundraising initiatives,”<br />
Alexander said.<br />
In 1995, Alexander established the Clutch City<br />
Foundation with the goal of providing help, hope<br />
and inspiration to those who might otherwise be<br />
forgotten. Through the Clutch City Foundation,<br />
the <strong>Rockets</strong> are involved in several community<br />
service and charity fundraising programs.<br />
The Clutch City Foundation funds and operates<br />
comprehensive programs benefiting thousands<br />
of children each <strong>Rockets</strong> season. In 1998, the<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> were awarded the “Leadership <strong>Houston</strong>”<br />
Leadership in Action award for outstanding<br />
community service to education, one year after<br />
winning the same award for outstanding<br />
community service to youth.<br />
Alexander and the <strong>Rockets</strong> received the 1997 Pro<br />
Team Community Award, given by the World<br />
Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame. This award<br />
recognizes one professional team each year that<br />
exemplifies community service. In accepting the<br />
award, Alexander said, “The <strong>Rockets</strong> are honored<br />
to represent our great fans in bringing this special<br />
recognition to our community. It is our privilege<br />
and responsibility to help make a difference in the<br />
lives of <strong>Houston</strong>ians in need.”<br />
Through the Clutch City Foundation, the <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
organization will continue to make a difference<br />
in the lives of <strong>Houston</strong>ians for years to come.<br />
When the <strong>NBA</strong> Board of Governors decided to<br />
create the Women’s National Basketball<br />
Association, Alexander saw an opportunity to<br />
bring a new and exciting brand of professional<br />
basketball to <strong>Houston</strong>. <strong>Houston</strong> was granted a<br />
franchise and Alexander, who knew firsthand of<br />
the city’s love for professional basketball,<br />
immediately set out to build another champion.<br />
As with the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Alexander again had the<br />
magic touch. In the first four years of the W<strong>NBA</strong>,<br />
the <strong>Houston</strong> Comets claimed four consecutive<br />
league championships.<br />
OWNER
MANAGEMENT<br />
George Postolos<br />
PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER<br />
George Postolos enters his sixth season with the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>. As<br />
President & Chief Executive Officer, Postolos oversees all facets of the<br />
organization’s business operations. Since arriving in <strong>Houston</strong>, Postolos<br />
has worked diligently to further the organization’s mission to be one of<br />
the league’s elite teams on and off the court. He has provided direction<br />
on all business decisions and enhanced the relationships the team enjoys<br />
with the community.<br />
On a day-to-day basis, Postolos leads the senior management team<br />
responsible for overseeing the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>, <strong>Houston</strong> Comets, Toyota<br />
Center and related businesses. He sets strategic goals for the organization<br />
and analyzes future growth opportunities for the enterprise. Postolos also supervises each of the<br />
organization’s business units, including business development, corporate development, finance and<br />
administration, legal, marketing, and ticket sales and services. Postolos also works closely with team<br />
owner Leslie Alexander in pursuing new sports properties and other business opportunities.<br />
Over the past year, Postolos and the <strong>Rockets</strong> have achieved many successes, including:<br />
The groundbreaking naming-rights agreement for Toyota Center, which includes an<br />
unprecedented in-bowl vehicle display and an expansive vehicle showroom on the concourse.<br />
The launch of a new <strong>Rockets</strong> logo and uniforms, created by Academy Award-winning<br />
designer Eiko Ishioka.<br />
The formation of Clutch City Sports & Entertainment, the operating company for Toyota Center.<br />
The creation of the <strong>Houston</strong> Regional Sports Network, which will air <strong>Rockets</strong>, Comets and Aeros<br />
games and other <strong>Houston</strong> sporting events upon its launch in the fall of 2005.<br />
The dramatic increase in ticket, sponsorship and suite revenue with the opening of Toyota Center.<br />
The development of the award-winning "Be Part of Something Big" advertising campaign to<br />
highlight the heroic qualities of <strong>Rockets</strong> players and introduce Yao Ming to <strong>Rockets</strong> fans.<br />
The institution of a private-label integrated ticketing and customer relationship management<br />
system to get closer to and provide outstanding service for Toyota Center customers.<br />
The opening of Kim's Place, a special facility honoring the late Comets guard Kim Perrot for<br />
adolescents battling cancer, that was made possible by a $1.25 million gift from the <strong>Rockets</strong> to M.D.<br />
Anderson Cancer Center.<br />
Postolos arrived in <strong>Houston</strong> after a two-year stint as Special Assistant to <strong>NBA</strong> Commissioner David Stern.<br />
It was during his time working for Stern that Postolos made an impression on Alexander. When<br />
Alexander began looking for a new face to head his sports enterprise, Postolos, with his knowledge<br />
of the <strong>NBA</strong> and Texas ties, was an obvious choice.<br />
Raised in San Antonio, Postolos worked as a teenager for his hometown San Antonio Spurs, which<br />
was owned by family friend, Angelo Drossos. He left Texas after high school to pursue both<br />
undergraduate and law school degrees at Harvard, then clerked for a judge on the Texas Supreme<br />
Court before joining the New York law firm of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.<br />
Postolos and his wife, Nicole, reside in <strong>Houston</strong> with their eight-year-old son and one-year-old<br />
daughter.<br />
8
Carroll Dawson<br />
GENERAL MANAGER<br />
Carroll Dawson enters his 24th season with the <strong>Rockets</strong> and his eighth as<br />
the General Manager for the franchise. Prior to moving into the front<br />
office, Dawson worked as an assistant coach under four <strong>Rockets</strong> head<br />
coaches, aiding Del Harris from 1980-83, Bill Fitch from 1983-88, Don<br />
Chaney from 1988-92 and Rudy Tomjanovich from 1992-96.<br />
Affectionately known as “CD,” Dawson oversees all player personnel<br />
activity for the <strong>Rockets</strong>. His duties include managing the entire scouting<br />
department, which includes an analysis of athletes at both the amateur<br />
and professional level. Dawson deals with free agency issues, trade<br />
inquiries and the assessment of the team’s needs.<br />
Dawson is recognized as one of the top executives in the <strong>NBA</strong>. Since moving to the <strong>Rockets</strong> front office<br />
job in 1996, he has shown the ability to both bolster a playoff contender with veterans and acquire<br />
emerging talent as part of a youth movement. In his first few years, he made trades for Charles Barkley<br />
and Scottie Pippen to give a team led by Hakeem Olajuwon even more experience. Dawson then<br />
used the mid-level exception to bring in players such as Shandon Anderson and Maurice Taylor. Since<br />
1998, Dawson and the <strong>Rockets</strong> have acquired several young talents, including Cuttino Mobley, Steve<br />
Francis, Eddie Griffin and Yao Ming.<br />
Dawson holds the distinction of being the only person on all four coaching staffs that led the <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
to their <strong>NBA</strong> Finals appearances, as <strong>Houston</strong> advanced to the championship series in 1981, 1986,<br />
1994 and 1995. Dawson works closely with Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy in his current front office<br />
capacity.<br />
Dawson is known throughout the <strong>NBA</strong> for his work with frontcourt players and has also been credited<br />
with teaching Olajuwon his infamous jump hook. Dawson has worked with and coached many <strong>NBA</strong><br />
All-Stars throughout his years with the <strong>Rockets</strong>, including Barkley, Elvin Hayes, Moses Malone, Ralph<br />
Sampson and Tomjanovich.<br />
Dawson’s knowledge of the game has not been limited to the <strong>NBA</strong>. Prior to the inaugural 1997 W<strong>NBA</strong><br />
season, Dawson was commissioned by owner Leslie Alexander to help assemble the first <strong>Houston</strong><br />
Comets team. He guided the efforts to bring Sheryl Swoopes and Cynthia Cooper to <strong>Houston</strong> and then<br />
drafted Janeth Arcain in the W<strong>NBA</strong> Elite Draft. Finally, he worked with Alexander to hire three-time<br />
W<strong>NBA</strong> Coach of the Year Van Chancellor. Currently, Dawson is Chancellor’s top advisor as the Comets<br />
Executive Vice President of Basketball.<br />
A native Texan, Dawson hails from Alba, a town with a population of 200 that sits about 75 miles east<br />
of Dallas. As a 6-foot-5 high school center, he led Alba High School to a 44-3 record as a senior. He<br />
then went on to win Junior College All-America honors at Paris Junior College (Texas) under Head<br />
Coach Boyd Converse. After two seasons at Paris, Dawson moved on to Baylor University, where he<br />
led Bill Henderson’s Baylor Bears in scoring and rebounding in each of his two seasons. In 1960, he<br />
averaged 16.4 points as a senior to earn All-Southwest Conference honors.<br />
In 1963, he returned to Baylor as an assistant to Head Coach Bill Menefee. He later succeeded Menefee<br />
as head coach in 1973, remaining in that position for more than three seasons. After spending two<br />
years as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys at the call of executive Gil Brandt, Dawson started a career<br />
as a salesman for Converse Shoe Company.<br />
Dawson has been honored with induction into the Paris Junior College Hall of Fame in 1991, the Baylor<br />
University Hall of Fame in 1998, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2001,<br />
and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame this year.<br />
One of the top golfers in the <strong>NBA</strong>, Dawson resides in <strong>Houston</strong> with his wife, Sharon. Sharon has a<br />
daughter, Elizabeth and a son, Michael.<br />
9<br />
MANAGEMENT
Jeff Van Gundy joined the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> as the<br />
10th head coach in franchise history on June 11,<br />
<strong>2003</strong>. Van Gundy possesses a career coaching<br />
record of 248-172 and posted a winning record in<br />
each of his seven seasons with the New York<br />
Knicks. Among coaches with 400 games of<br />
experience, Van Gundy ranks 13th in <strong>NBA</strong> history<br />
with a winning percentage of .590.<br />
“Our goal was to bring in a championship-caliber<br />
coach, and we have done that,” <strong>Rockets</strong> owner<br />
Leslie Alexander said upon Van Gundy’s hiring.<br />
“Jeff is a proven winner, and I believe that he is<br />
the right person to get our franchise back in the<br />
playoffs. We were looking for a coach who was the<br />
right fit for the organization. Jeff is a great teacher,<br />
and his knowledge of the <strong>NBA</strong> game will be very<br />
important to the development of our young<br />
players.”<br />
Van Gundy stands third in Knicks history with 248<br />
wins, trailing only Red Holzman and Joe Lapchick.<br />
In Knicks history, Van Gundy’s winning percentage<br />
of .590 ranks second behind Pat Riley’s franchise<br />
record of .680. Van Gundy became the Knicks<br />
head coach on March 8, 1996, when Don Nelson<br />
stepped down with 23 games remaining in the<br />
season.<br />
In his first full season as head coach, Van Gundy<br />
led the 1996-97 Knicks to a 57-25 record, marking<br />
a 10-game improvement over the previous season.<br />
New York’s 57 wins matched the third-best total in<br />
franchise history and marked the best record ever<br />
posted by a Knicks coach in his first full season.<br />
Van Gundy stands with Holzman, Rick Pitino and<br />
Riley as the only coaches to guide New York to 50<br />
wins in a season.<br />
During the 1999-2000 season, Van Gundy<br />
registered his second 50-win season with New<br />
York. The Knicks finished in second place in the<br />
Atlantic Division in four of Van Gundy’s first five<br />
seasons. Van Gundy coached the Eastern<br />
Conference All-Stars in the 2000 <strong>NBA</strong> All-Star<br />
Game. On Dec. 8, 2001, Van Gundy resigned as<br />
head coach of the Knicks. Last season he worked<br />
with Turner Sports as an analyst on its <strong>NBA</strong><br />
broadcasts.<br />
JEFF VAN GUNDY<br />
Head Coach<br />
Coaching Experience: 8th <strong>NBA</strong> Season<br />
Born: January 19, 1962 in Hemet, California<br />
High School: Brockport (New York)<br />
College: Nazareth College '85<br />
10<br />
New York advanced to the playoffs in each of Van<br />
Gundy’s first six seasons, moving past the first<br />
round five times. In Knicks history, he trails only<br />
Holzman and Lapchick for number of playoff<br />
berths. Van Gundy’s most successful playoff run<br />
with the Knicks came in 1999, when he became<br />
the first coach in <strong>NBA</strong> history to guide an eighthseeded<br />
team to the <strong>NBA</strong> Finals. The following<br />
season, the Knicks continued their postseason<br />
success with a trip to the Eastern Conference<br />
Finals.<br />
“I think the only goal that is worthwhile in this<br />
league is to pursue a championship,” Van Gundy<br />
said. “You may not reach that every year, obviously,<br />
but you need to strive each year to be a<br />
championship-caliber team with championshipcaliber<br />
players. That is what we will try to do here<br />
from Day One – like they have in the past. Rudy<br />
Tomjanovich set the standard very high here. I<br />
want to make sure I live up to that and build on<br />
the winning tradition that he established.”<br />
Defense has been a trademark of Van Gundycoached<br />
teams. In each of his five full seasons,<br />
Van Gundy helped the Knicks to rank among the<br />
<strong>NBA</strong>’s top five in fewest points allowed and<br />
among the top three in lowest field goal<br />
percentage allowed. Over this five-year span,<br />
New York ranked second in the <strong>NBA</strong> in scoring<br />
defense, as its 89.0 points per game allowed<br />
trailed only Miami’s mark of 88.6. During this<br />
same stretch, the Knicks led the <strong>NBA</strong> in field goal<br />
percentage defense, as opponents connected on<br />
just 42.1 percent of their field goal attempts.<br />
Under Van Gundy’s guidance, New York held 33<br />
consecutive opponents to under 100 points from<br />
Nov. 11, 2000 to Jan. 21, 2001, which stands as<br />
the longest stretch in the <strong>NBA</strong> since the shot clock<br />
was introduced in the 1954-55 season.<br />
In his first full season, Van Gundy helped the<br />
1996-97 Knicks limit opponents to 92.2 points per<br />
game and a league-low .425 shooting. The<br />
following season, New York ranked second in the<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> in both scoring defense and field goal<br />
percentage defense, as opponents averaged<br />
89.1 points on .428 shooting. The 1998-99 Knicks<br />
restricted opponents to 85.4 points per game on
.403 shooting, marking the team’s best scoring<br />
defense since the introduction of the shot clock.<br />
The following season, the Knicks held opponents<br />
to 90.7 points per game on .424 shooting. In the<br />
2000-2001 season, New York led the <strong>NBA</strong> in both<br />
scoring defense and field goal percentage defense,<br />
as opponents registered 86.1 points per game on<br />
.417 shooting.<br />
Van Gundy joined the Knicks as an assistant<br />
coach on July 28, 1989 and spent the next sixand-a-half<br />
seasons in this capacity. Stu Jackson<br />
hired Van Gundy and coached the Knicks for a<br />
season-and-a-half. Van Gundy then aided John<br />
MacLeod, who replaced Jackson and guided New<br />
York for one season. Van Gundy then worked as<br />
an assistant coach to Riley for four seasons. Lastly,<br />
Van Gundy coached under Nelson for the majority<br />
of the 1995-96 season before replacing him upon<br />
his resignation.<br />
During Van Gundy's time as assistant coach, New<br />
York never finished lower than third in the Atlantic<br />
Division, winning three division titles. The Knicks<br />
qualified for the playoffs in every year of his tenure<br />
as assistant coach, advancing to the Eastern<br />
Conference Finals in 1993 and the <strong>NBA</strong> Finals vs.<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> the following year.<br />
11<br />
Van Gundy’s coaching career began in 1985 at<br />
McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, New<br />
York. The following year, he became a graduate<br />
assistant under Pitino at Providence, helping the<br />
Friars advance to the Final Four. In his second<br />
season at Providence, he was promoted to assistant<br />
coach under Gordon Chiesa. The next season,<br />
Van Gundy became an assistant coach under<br />
Bob Wenzel at Rutgers.<br />
Van Gundy hails from a family of basketball<br />
coaches. His father, Bill, retired after four decades<br />
of coaching, including 15 years as the head<br />
coach at Genesee Community College in Batavia,<br />
New York. His brother, Stan, serves as assistant<br />
head coach under Riley with the Miami Heat,<br />
after a college coaching career at Vermont,<br />
Castleton State, Canisius, Fordham,<br />
Massachusetts-Lowell and Wisconsin.<br />
Van Gundy graduated from Nazareth College in<br />
Rochester, New York, where he played point<br />
guard for two seasons. In 1996, he was honored<br />
with induction into the Nazareth College Sports<br />
Hall of Fame.<br />
Van Gundy lives in <strong>Houston</strong> with his wife, Kim,<br />
and daughter, Mattie.<br />
Jeff Van Gundy’s Coaching Record<br />
Year Team Record Pct. Playoffs Pct. Playoff Result<br />
1995-96 New York 13-10 .565 4-4 .500 Advanced to Conference Semifinals<br />
1996-97 New York 57-25 .695 6-4 .600 Advanced to Conference Semifinals<br />
1997-98 New York 43-39 .524 4-6 .400 Advanced to Conference Semifinals<br />
1998-99 New York 27-23 .540 12-8 .600 Advanced to <strong>NBA</strong> Finals<br />
1999-00 New York 50-32 .610 9-7 .563 Advanced to Conference Finals<br />
2000-01 New York 48-34 .585 2-3 .400 Lost in First Round<br />
2001-02 New York 10-9 .526 — — Did not participate<br />
TOTALS 7 Years 248-172 .590 37-32 .536<br />
HEAD COACH
COACHES<br />
Tom Thibodeau<br />
Assistant Head Coach<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Tom Thibodeau begins his first season as assistant head coach of the<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> after 13 seasons of coaching in the <strong>NBA</strong>. Thibodeau spent the<br />
last seven years as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks.<br />
“In assembling my staff with the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Tom stood at the top of my wish<br />
list,” <strong>Rockets</strong> Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “He is an expert in the areas<br />
of game preparation and player development. I feel lucky to have him<br />
by my side, as he's one of the finest coaches in the <strong>NBA</strong> today.”<br />
In his final seasons with the Knicks, he assumed increased duties in the<br />
fields of individual player development and game preparation. During<br />
his tenure with the Knicks, New York held 33 consecutive opponents to under 100 points from Nov.<br />
11, 2000 to Jan. 21, 2001, which stands as the longest stretch in the <strong>NBA</strong> since the shot clock was<br />
introduced in the 1954-55 season. Thibodeau and the Knicks coaching staff also helped Van Gundy<br />
guide the Eastern Conference All-Stars in the 2000 <strong>NBA</strong> All-Star Game.<br />
In each of his final four seasons in New York, Thibodeau served as head coach for the Knicks entry<br />
in the Shaw’s Boston Summer League. Prior to this, he and current Knicks Assistant General Manager<br />
Jeff Nix coached New York’s Summer League entries in Rye Brook, New York and Los Angeles,<br />
California.<br />
Thibodeau entered the <strong>NBA</strong> in 1989 as an assistant coach with the expansion Minnesota Timberwolves<br />
under the late Bill Musselman. After two seasons with the Timberwolves, he joined the Seattle<br />
SuperSonics in 1991 as an advance scout. The following year, Thibodeau moved to San Antonio,<br />
where he worked with Jerry Tarkanian and John Lucas as a Spurs assistant coach for two seasons. He<br />
left San Antonio to become an assistant coach under Lucas with the Philadelphia 76ers. Thibodeau’s<br />
stay in Philadelphia lasted two seasons, at which point he joined the Knicks. With the Knicks, Thibodeau<br />
worked with Van Gundy for five years and Don Chaney for two seasons.<br />
In 13 <strong>NBA</strong> seasons, Thibodeau has helped his team finish in the <strong>NBA</strong>'s Top Ten in team defense 10<br />
times. He has also coached in 75 <strong>NBA</strong> playoff games in his career, including New York's appearance<br />
in the 1999 <strong>NBA</strong> Finals.<br />
Thibodeau’s coaching career began in 1981 as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Salem State<br />
College. After three years as an assistant, he became head coach in 1984. The following season,<br />
Thibodeau became an assistant coach at Harvard. He coached at Harvard for four years before leaving<br />
for the <strong>NBA</strong>.<br />
A native of New Britain, Connecticut, Thibodeau graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and<br />
a master’s in counseling from Salem State College. He lettered in four seasons at Salem State.<br />
12
Patrick Ewing<br />
Assistant Coach<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Patrick Ewing comes to <strong>Houston</strong> after spending last season as an assistant<br />
coach with the Washington Wizards. Last year marked Ewing's first<br />
coaching experience following a celebrated 17-year <strong>NBA</strong> career with New<br />
York, Seattle and Orlando.<br />
“I am thrilled to have Patrick join our coaching staff,” said <strong>Rockets</strong> Head<br />
Coach Jeff Van Gundy, who coached Ewing for five seasons in New York.<br />
“I admired his loyalty, dedication and work ethic as a player, and I look<br />
forward to watching him pass along these qualities as a coach.”<br />
Ewing averaged 21.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.45 blocks in 1,183 career<br />
games with the Knicks, Sonics and Magic. Ewing stands as one of 13 players in <strong>NBA</strong> history with 20,000<br />
career points and 10,000 career rebounds. In <strong>NBA</strong> history, he ranks 13th all-time with 24,815 points,<br />
20th all-time with 11,607 rebounds and fifth all-time with 2,894 blocks. A member of the <strong>NBA</strong>’s 50th<br />
Anniversary All-Time Team, Ewing earned selection to 11 <strong>NBA</strong> All-Star teams.<br />
Taken by New York with the first overall selection of the 1985 <strong>NBA</strong> Draft, Ewing averaged 22.8 points<br />
and 10.4 rebounds in 15 seasons with the Knicks. He earned <strong>NBA</strong> Rookie of the Year honors in 1986,<br />
marking the first of 13 consecutive seasons in which he scored 20 points per game. Ewing received<br />
All-<strong>NBA</strong> First Team recognition in 1990 after averaging career highs of 28.6 points and 3.99 blocks<br />
with 10.9 rebounds. He also garnered All-<strong>NBA</strong> Second Team honors six times and <strong>NBA</strong> All-Defensive<br />
Second Team honors three times while playing with the Knicks.<br />
Ewing holds Knicks franchise records with 23,665 points, 10,579 rebounds, 2,758 blocks, 1,061 steals,<br />
1,039 games played, 37,586 minutes, 9,260 field goals made, 18,224 field goals attempted, 5,126<br />
free throws made and 6,904 free throws attempted.<br />
Beginning with the 1989-90 season, Ewing started an eight-year stretch in which he stood as the only<br />
player to rank among the <strong>NBA</strong>'s Top Ten in both scoring average and rebounding average each year.<br />
He also ranked among the <strong>NBA</strong>'s Top Ten in blocked shots in each of these seasons, holding this<br />
distinction throughout his first 12 seasons.<br />
Ewing guided the Knicks to 13 consecutive playoff appearances, including four Atlantic Division titles.<br />
He helped the Knicks to the <strong>NBA</strong> Finals in 1994 and 1999. In 139 career postseason games, he averaged<br />
20.2 points with 10.3 rebounds. His 303 blocked shots rank sixth all-time in <strong>NBA</strong> playoff history.<br />
Ewing won Olympic gold medals with the United States as a collegian in 1984 and as a member of<br />
the “Dream Team” in 1992. In college, Ewing led Georgetown University to the 1984 NCAA<br />
Championship and three Final Fours, earning College Player of the Year honors in 1985.<br />
13<br />
COACHES
COACHES<br />
Steve Clifford<br />
Assistant Coach<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Steve Clifford joins the <strong>Rockets</strong> coaching staff after three seasons with the<br />
New York Knicks. He spent the last two years as a Knicks assistant coach<br />
following one season as an advance scout for the team.<br />
“I am fortunate to have someone with Steve's experience on our staff,”<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong> Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “He possesses a great<br />
knowledge of the game from years on the sidelines. Most importantly,<br />
Steve succeeds at relating this knowledge to our players.”<br />
Clifford entered the <strong>NBA</strong> with more than a decade of college coaching<br />
experience. Before joining the Knicks, Clifford served as an assistant<br />
coach at East Carolina University for one season. He came to East Carolina after four years as head<br />
coach at Adelphi University, where he compiled a record of 86-36 and a winning percentage of .705.<br />
Clifford led Adelphi to four straight 20-win seasons, becoming the first coach in school history to record<br />
consecutive 20-plus win seasons. He also guided Adelphi to four appearances in the NCAA Division<br />
II Tournament.<br />
Prior to taking the reigns at Adelphi, Clifford served as an assistant coach on the collegiate level. He<br />
began his college coaching career at St. Anselm’s College in New Hampshire. After four seasons at<br />
St. Anselm's, Clifford spent one year at Fairfield University. The following year, he moved to Boston<br />
University, where he coached for four seasons. Clifford's next stop was Siena College, where he coached<br />
for one year before going to Adelphi. Clifford’s first coaching experience came at Woodland High<br />
School in Maine, where he coached for two seasons.<br />
Clifford graduated from the University of Maine at Farmington with a degree in special education.<br />
He played four years with the Beavers, earning Best Defensive Player honors in his final two years while<br />
serving as team captain.<br />
Last summer Clifford married his wife, Doreen. They live in <strong>Houston</strong> with their dog, Shortstop.<br />
14
Andy Greer<br />
Assistant Coach<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Andy Greer comes to <strong>Houston</strong> after two seasons as an assistant coach with<br />
the New York Knicks. Greer will spearhead <strong>Houston</strong>’s advance scouting<br />
operation, observing the <strong>Rockets</strong> upcoming opponents.<br />
“Andy plays a role critical to our success, as he prepares the scouting report<br />
for each game,” <strong>Rockets</strong> Head Coach Jeff Van Gundy said. “His knowledge<br />
and dedication give us the ultimate advantage, and our team reaps the<br />
benefits from his tireless work on the road.”<br />
In addition to his experience with the Knicks, Greer has coached at the<br />
collegiate level for nearly two decades. Prior to joining the Knicks, he<br />
spent four years at Northern Illinois University. While at Northern Illinois, he spent three-and-a-half<br />
seasons as an assistant coach and a half season as the team’s interim head coach.<br />
Greer received his first head coaching position in 1993, when he became the United States Merchant<br />
Marine Academy’s head coach and assistant director of athletics. In Andy’s third season at the helm,<br />
the Mariners recorded their first winning season in six years and advanced to the ECAC Metro NY/NJ<br />
Championship Game. The following year, they posted a 19-7 record and qualified for the NCAA<br />
Division III Tournament. From 1994 through 1997, Greer also served as the director of the Knicks<br />
Summer Basketball Camp.<br />
Greer began his coaching career on the collegiate level, recording a series of stints as an assistant<br />
coach. His first coaching job came in 1983 at Genesee Community College, as he assisted Jeff Van<br />
Gundy’s father, Bill. Greer moved on after two seasons at Genesee, working for two years each at<br />
Mansfield University and Brandeis University. He left Brandeis and spent one season as an assistant<br />
coach at Boston University, where he aided Mike Jarvis. Greer then coached for three seasons under<br />
George Raveling at the University of Southern California. During Greer’s stay at USC, the Trojans<br />
registered three consecutive winning seasons, two NCAA Tournament appearances and one NIT berth.<br />
Greer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from SUNY-Brockport, where he was<br />
a teammate of Jeff Van Gundy, and a master’s in Education from Mansfield.<br />
Greer and his wife, Lesley, live in Boston with their son, Zachary, and two daughters, Haley and Blake.<br />
His younger brother, Larry, is an assistant coach at Wright State University.<br />
15<br />
COACHES
MANAGEMENT<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Keith Jones<br />
Vice President of Basketball Operations/Athletic Trainer<br />
Keith Jones enters his 15th season in professional basketball and his<br />
eighth as athletic trainer of the <strong>Rockets</strong>. Jones became the fourth trainer<br />
in franchise history when he joined the <strong>Rockets</strong> on July 23, 1996. His peers<br />
voted him the <strong>NBA</strong> Trainer of the Year in 2001.<br />
Prior to last season, Jones was promoted to Vice President of Basketball<br />
Operations/Athletic Trainer after three seasons as athletic trainer/player<br />
liaison. Jones’ responsibilities include the physical therapy and<br />
rehabilitation of the players, as well as organizing all team travel<br />
arrangements. Jones also aids <strong>Rockets</strong> General Manager Carroll Dawson<br />
and team owner Leslie Alexander in basketball matters, including player relations and operational<br />
issues.<br />
During the summer of 2000, Jones worked with the United States Senior National Team as the team’s<br />
trainer during the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. This marked the third time he had served in this<br />
capacity, also filling that role for the 1998 World Championship of Basketball in Greece and the 1999<br />
Tournament of the Americas in Puerto Rico.<br />
Prior to joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Jones spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. When hired by the<br />
Clippers in June of 1990, he became the first African-American as well as the youngest trainer in the<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> at age 28. Jones got his start in the <strong>NBA</strong> in 1988 as the assistant trainer for the Orlando Magic<br />
and joined the Clippers the following season when their head trainer position opened.<br />
Jones began his career in athletic training at the University of Arkansas, working as a student trainer<br />
for Lou Holtz's football and Eddie Sutton’s basketball teams for four years. He interned with the<br />
Philadelphia Eagles as an athletic trainer during his college summers and worked as their full-time<br />
assistant trainer during the 1983 season. Upon leaving Philadelphia, Jones spent two seasons with<br />
the Oklahoma Outlaws and Arizona Wranglers of the USFL. He eventually rejoined Holtz at the<br />
University of Minnesota as the football trainer in 1987 before moving to the <strong>NBA</strong>.<br />
Jones and his wife, Madge, reside in Richmond, Texas, with their daughters, Morgan and Alex, and<br />
son, Isaiah.<br />
16
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Dennis Lindsey<br />
Vice President of Basketball Operations/Player Personnel<br />
Dennis Lindsey begins his eighth season with the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong> and<br />
his second as Vice President of Basketball Operations/Player Personnel.<br />
In his current position, Lindsey coordinates the scouting of amateur and<br />
professional talent.<br />
Along with <strong>Rockets</strong> General Manager Carroll Dawson, Lindsey evaluates<br />
draft prospects, free agents and potential trades. In addition, he assists<br />
in salary cap matters and heads the statistical evaluation program for<br />
professional and amateur talent.<br />
Before his promotion to Vice President, Lindsey spent three seasons as Director of Player Personnel.<br />
During the 1998-99 season, Lindsey served as the <strong>Rockets</strong> Director of Basketball Development. Lindsey<br />
joined the <strong>Rockets</strong> before the 1996-97 season as personnel video coordinator/scout, a position he held<br />
for two years.<br />
Prior to coming to the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Lindsey was the assistant basketball coach and recruiting coordinator<br />
at Pensacola Junior College for two years. During his time in Florida, Pensacola was nationally ranked<br />
during both seasons. Before venturing to Pensacola, Lindsey was the assistant head coach at Fort Worth<br />
Southwest High School.<br />
A starter at Baylor University, Lindsey aided in the Bears advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 1988<br />
and the NIT Tournament in 1990. After graduating from Baylor with a bachelor's degree in education<br />
in 1992, Lindsey received his master's in sports management in 1994 from the United States Sports<br />
Academy. As a high school player in 1987, Lindsey took the <strong>Houston</strong> Select BCI Team to the national<br />
championship.<br />
Born in Freeport, Texas, Lindsey and his wife, Becky, reside in Missouri City with their two sons, Jacob<br />
and Matthew, and daughter, Meredith. Becky’s father is F.A. Dry, the former head football coach at<br />
Tulsa and Texas Christian, as well as an assistant with the <strong>Houston</strong> Oilers. He was on the sidelines<br />
for the first college and professional football games played in the Astrodome.<br />
17<br />
MANAGEMENT
SCOUTING<br />
Rudy Tomjanovich<br />
Personnel Consultant<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Rudy Tomjanovich has reached the heights of success both on the<br />
court and the sidelines with the <strong>Rockets</strong> over the last three decades.<br />
After earning five All-Star selections as a player, “Rudy T” won the city<br />
of <strong>Houston</strong> its first-ever championships by coaching the <strong>Rockets</strong> to<br />
consecutive <strong>NBA</strong> Championships in 1994 and 1995.<br />
Tomjanovich, who has spent the last 33 consecutive seasons with the<br />
<strong>Rockets</strong>, enters his first season as personnel consultant after 12 years<br />
as the team's head coach. He has been involved in all four <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
division championships — as leading scorer in 1976-77, assistant coach<br />
in 1985-86 and as head coach in 1992-93 and 1993-94.<br />
Tomjanovich posted a 503-397 regular season record and 51-39 playoff record as the <strong>Rockets</strong> head<br />
coach, advancing to the playoffs seven times and winning two championships. Tomjanovich ranks<br />
23rd in <strong>NBA</strong> history in career coaching wins. He holds franchise coaching records with 503 regular<br />
season wins, 51 postseason wins, a regular season winning percentage of .559 and a postseason<br />
winning percentage of .567.<br />
Tomjanovich received many accolades as a head coach, including being named the head coach<br />
of the Western Conference team for the 1997 <strong>NBA</strong> All-Star Game. His coaching peers voted him<br />
The Sporting News <strong>NBA</strong> Coach of the Year in 1993. Additionally, he received <strong>NBA</strong> Coach of the<br />
Month recognition for April 1993, November 1993 and November 1996.<br />
Aside from his coaching success with the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Tomjanovich has coached the United States<br />
Senior National Team on two occassions. He guided the United States Men’s Basketball Team to<br />
an undefeated record and a gold medal in the 2000 Summer Olympics. Prior to the Olympics,<br />
Tomjanovich led a United States team of non-<strong>NBA</strong> players to a bronze medal at the 1998 World<br />
Championship of Basketball.<br />
In <strong>Rockets</strong> history, Tomjanovich ranks third with 13,383 points, third with 768 games and fourth with<br />
6,198 rebounds. After joining the San Diego <strong>Rockets</strong> as the second overall pick in the 1970 <strong>NBA</strong><br />
Draft, he averaged 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds over 11 years with the <strong>Rockets</strong>. Tomjanovich has<br />
been with the <strong>Rockets</strong> since the team’s move to Texas in 1971, playing for the team throughout its<br />
first 10 seasons in <strong>Houston</strong>.<br />
After the <strong>Rockets</strong> advanced to the <strong>NBA</strong> Finals in 1981, Tomjanovich retired having spent his entire<br />
playing career with the <strong>Rockets</strong>. He retired as a player on Oct. 2, 1981, and his jersey was the first<br />
retired in franchise history on Jan. 28, 1982. Only five numbers have been retired by the organization<br />
— Tomjanovich (45), Calvin Murphy (23), Moses Malone (24), Clyde Drexler (22) and Hakeem<br />
Olajuwon (34).<br />
Beginning with the 1981-82 season, Tomjanovich spent two years as a <strong>Rockets</strong> scout. He became<br />
an assistant coach in 1983 and served in that role until being named interim head coach on Feb.<br />
18, 1992. Tomjanovich was officially named head coach of the <strong>Rockets</strong> on May 20, 1992. He<br />
became the first coach ever to guide his team from the lottery to a division title in his first full<br />
season.<br />
18
Mike Wells<br />
Video Coordinator<br />
Mike Wells assumes the role of video coordinator in his 10th season with<br />
the <strong>Rockets</strong>. In this position, he will handle video preparation for<br />
upcoming opponents. He joined the basketball staff in 1995 as the<br />
assistant video coordinator and was promoted to video coordinator the<br />
following season. Wells became video coordinator/assistant coach in<br />
1998 before a promotion to assistant coach the following year.<br />
Wells has scouted for the United States Senior National Team for the last<br />
five seasons. He assisted USA Basketball at the 1998 World Championship<br />
of Basketball, the 1999 Tournament of the Americas, the 2000 Summer<br />
Olympics, and the <strong>2003</strong> Tournament of the Americas.<br />
Wells is a 1993 graduate of Mount Vernon Nazarene in Ohio, where he played guard for the Cougars.<br />
Upon graduation, Wells stayed at his alma mater as an assistant coach for two years while earning<br />
a master’s degree in sports science from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.<br />
Anthony Falsone<br />
Strength & Conditioning Coach<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Anthony Falsone begins his ninth season as strength and<br />
conditioning coach for the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>. He is responsible for the<br />
design and implementation of the players’ individual strength,<br />
conditioning and nutritional programs on a year-round basis. He also<br />
coordinates the team’s flexibility program and assists the <strong>Rockets</strong> sports<br />
medicine staff in the rehabilitation of injured players.<br />
Falsone began his career in 1986 as an assistant to conditioning specialist<br />
Tim Hallmark. During his tutelage under Hallmark, Falsone assisted in the<br />
training of a variety of professional athletes including boxing champions<br />
Evander Holyfield, Mike McCallum and Vinny Pazienza.<br />
Prior to joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Falsone held the position of director of sports conditioning at SW Sports<br />
Medicine & Training Center in Sugar Land. While at SW Sports, he served as a personal strength coach<br />
for Hakeem Olajuwon, as well as other athletes during the <strong>Rockets</strong> championship seasons.<br />
Having earned his bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Stephen F. Austin State in 1992, Falsone<br />
is currently working toward his master’s degree in human performance at UH-Clear Lake under Dr.<br />
Eugene Coleman Ed. D. of the <strong>Houston</strong> Astros. Falsone is a certified strength and conditioning<br />
specialist (C.S.C.S.), as well as a certified club coach by USA Weightlifting. His professional affiliations<br />
include memberships with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the United<br />
States Weightlifting Federation (USWF) and the National Basketball Conditioning Coaches Association<br />
(NBCCA). He is also the President of Peak Performance Inc., a <strong>Houston</strong>-based fitness-consulting firm.<br />
Falsone and his wife, Tosha, reside in Missouri City and have a daughter, Rhylie, and a son, Nickalos.<br />
19<br />
ROCKETS STAFF
SCOUTING<br />
Jay Namoc<br />
Equipment Manager<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Jay Namoc enters his 10th season with the <strong>Rockets</strong> and his sixth as<br />
equipment manager. Namoc joined the <strong>Rockets</strong> in 1994 and spent the<br />
next four seasons as the Special Assistant to the club’s Senior Executive<br />
Vice President of Basketball Affairs. Seven years ago, Namoc gained<br />
responsibilities involving player relations.<br />
Born in the Philippines, Namoc attended high school at Bishop Shanahan<br />
in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, and locally at Kempner in Sugar Land.<br />
Namoc, who attended the University of <strong>Houston</strong>, lives in <strong>Houston</strong> with his<br />
wife, Kerri.<br />
Michelle Leget<br />
Assistant Athletic Trainer<br />
Michelle Leget enters her seventh season with the organization as<br />
assistant athletic trainer for the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong>. She became the first<br />
female assistant athletic trainer in <strong>NBA</strong> history when she was hired by<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> in 1997.<br />
With the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Leget is responsible for daily treatment, care and<br />
rehabilitation of players, as well as assisting Vice President of Basketball<br />
Operations/Athletic Trainer Keith Jones in all other duties.<br />
Leget has also served as head athletic trainer of the <strong>Houston</strong> Comets<br />
since the W<strong>NBA</strong>'s inaugural season. In addition to her duties with the<br />
Comets and <strong>Rockets</strong>, Leget was selected to serve as the athletic trainer for the West Team at the<br />
1999 and 2001 W<strong>NBA</strong> All-Star Games. On March 14, 2002, Leget was chosen as the athletic trainer<br />
for the 2002 USA Basketball Women’s World Championship Team, which won the gold medal at<br />
the 14th FIBA World Championship for Women held in the People’s Republic of China.<br />
Before joining the Comets and <strong>Rockets</strong>, Leget was an associate athletic trainer at the University of<br />
<strong>Houston</strong> for four years, working primarily with the Cougars football program. Leget also served as<br />
a graduate assistant trainer from 1991-93 at the University of Florida, where she worked with the<br />
Gators volleyball program.<br />
A native of Vienna, Virginia, Leget received her bachelor’s degree in sports medicine from <strong>Central</strong><br />
Michigan University in 1990. She went on to earn a master’s of exercise and sports science in athletic<br />
training and sports administration from the University of Florida in 1993. Leget is also a certified<br />
member of the National Athletic Trainer’s Association and a member of the National Basketball<br />
Trainer’s Association.<br />
20
Brent Johnson<br />
Personnel Scout<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Brent Johnson begins his 10th year as a scout with the <strong>Houston</strong> <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
and his eighth as a full-time member of the team’s basketball staff. “BJ”<br />
will focus his efforts on scouting talent at the high school, college and<br />
minor league level.<br />
Johnson is a 1979 graduate of East Tennessee State, where he played<br />
guard for the Buccaneers and was a graduate assistant during the 1978-<br />
79 season. His coach at East Tennessee State was Sonny Smith, Charles<br />
Barkley’s coach at Auburn.<br />
Upon graduation, Johnson played on Meadowlark Lemon’s exhibition<br />
teams that toured throughout the world. He also played professionally in Mexico and Ecuador. After<br />
his playing days, Johnson worked for Schoenfeld Sports, a sports agent firm, until he got his start in<br />
scouting.<br />
Johnson and his wife, Mariette, have a seven-year-old son, Bijan. Johnson is the fifth of eight children,<br />
four boys and four girls, all of who played basketball.<br />
Gianluca Pascucci<br />
International Basketball Consultant<br />
Gianluca Pascucci is in his second season as an international basketball<br />
consultant for the <strong>Rockets</strong>. He is responsible for scouting assignments of<br />
international players overseas.<br />
Pascucci possesses over 10 years of international coaching experience.<br />
For the last five seasons, he has served on the coaching staff of Scavolini<br />
Pesaro’s senior team in the Italian A-1 League and the Euroleague. As<br />
an assistant coach with Scavolini Pesaro, Pascucci faced <strong>Rockets</strong> forward<br />
Bostjan Nachbar and Benetton Treviso.<br />
Along with his coaching background, Pascucci has spent several years<br />
scouting for Scavolini Pesaro. He has traveled to Venezuela, Russia and throughout Europe for various<br />
scouting assignments.<br />
Born in Pesaro, Italy, Pascucci studied at the University of Ancona.<br />
21<br />
SCOUTING
SCOUTING<br />
Dean Cooper<br />
<strong>NBA</strong> Personnel Scout<br />
Dean Cooper will handle the role of <strong>NBA</strong> personnel scout in his fifth year<br />
with the <strong>Rockets</strong>. In his current capacity, Cooper will be responsible for<br />
personnel scouting of the <strong>NBA</strong> and developmental leagues. He joined<br />
the basketball staff as video coordinator/scout before spending the last<br />
two seasons as an assistant coach.<br />
Before joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Cooper spent a pair of two-year stints coaching<br />
at the college level. He worked for two years as an assistant coach at his<br />
alma mater of Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before taking<br />
a similar role at the University of Buffalo. Additionally, he served as an<br />
advance scout for the Connecticut Pride of the Continental Basketball<br />
Association for four seasons.<br />
Cooper started his coaching career at a pair of Michigan high schools, spending five years at Belding<br />
High School and three years at Caledonia High School.<br />
Melvin Hunt<br />
College & International Scout<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
Melvin Hunt assumes the role of college & international scout in his fifth<br />
season with the <strong>Rockets</strong>. In his current position, Hunt will be responsible<br />
for personnel scouting of collegiate and international talent. He joined<br />
the basketball staff as video coordinator/scout before spending the last<br />
two years as an assistant coach.<br />
Prior to joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Hunt coached on the collegiate and high<br />
school levels. He served as the assistant men’s basketball coach at<br />
Incarnate Word University in San Antonio. He began his coaching career<br />
as the assistant coach at Temple High School.<br />
As a four-year letterman and a three-year starter at Baylor University from 1987-91, Hunt helped the<br />
Bears advance to both the NCAA and NIT tournaments. After college, he played<br />
professional basketball in the Caribbean and Mexico.<br />
The Tallulah, Louisiana, native earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s<br />
degree in education from Baylor. Hunt and his wife, Carmen, have a daughter, Braya, and a son, Miles.<br />
22
Sally Martin<br />
Manager of Basketball Operations<br />
BASKETBALL STAFF<br />
David Macha<br />
Rehabilitation Coordinator/Assistant Strength Coach<br />
David Macha begins his second season as the <strong>Rockets</strong> rehabilitation<br />
coordinator/assistant strength & conditioning coach. Macha’s daily<br />
duties include assisting Strength & Conditioning Coach Anthony<br />
Falsone in the design and implementation of strength, conditioning<br />
and flexibility programs. In addition, Macha also assists the Rocket<br />
sports medicine staff in the rehabilitation and care of all injured players.<br />
Prior to joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>, Macha served as a clinical coordinator for<br />
TIRR Rehab and Healthsouth at the Texas Medical Center. He has over<br />
10 years of experience in the rehabilitation of sports injuries and has<br />
worked with numerous professional athletes in a variety of sports prior to joining the <strong>Rockets</strong>.<br />
Macha graduated from Wharton County Junior College with degrees in Applied Sciences and<br />
Physical Therapy. He and his wife, Monika, live in Richmond, Texas with their son, Trent, and<br />
daughter, Elise.<br />
Sally Martin begins her 18th season with the <strong>Rockets</strong> and her eighth as<br />
Manager of Basketball Operations. She spent five years with the <strong>Rockets</strong><br />
as an administrative assistant before moving into basketball operations.<br />
Martin oversees all daily team operations for the <strong>Rockets</strong> coaches, players<br />
and basketball staff, including working with the trainer in coordinating<br />
team travel. She is the point-person for the <strong>Rockets</strong> team while the players<br />
and coaches are on the road — dealing with the <strong>NBA</strong>, NBPA, players’<br />
representatives, team physicians, hotels and charter companies.<br />
A New Orleans, Louisiana native, Martin graduated cum laude from Southwest Texas State University<br />
in San Marcos, Texas in 1986, receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism and business. She and<br />
her husband, Malcolm, have a daughter, Belle.<br />
Basketball Operations Staff<br />
Dr. Robert Gillett Butch Grant Sandie Largent Mike Longabardi Drelda Mackey<br />
Team Team Security Executive Assistant Assistant Basketball Operations<br />
Physician Basketball Operations Video Coordinator Receptionist<br />
Dr. James Muntz Anthony Nila Dr. Thomas O'Brien Colin Pine<br />
Team Assistant Team Interpreter<br />
Physician Equipment Manager Physician<br />
23<br />
ROCKETS STAFF
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