[thetruthParticipant]

Beck to compete for Rockets spotComment Email Print Share By Marc Stein
ESPN.com
Archive
The Houston Rockets will have four players competing for their final open roster spot when they complete the signing of swingman Romel Beck, which is scheduled to happen Wednesday.

Sources close to the situation say Beck has been lined up to fill the vacancy in Houston’s training camp created when the Rockets elected not to go through with their intended signing of Rashad McCants.

McCants is carrying an abdominal injury that limits his immediate availability, so Houston has opted to sign Beck — who played for San Antonio’s summer-league team — to a non-guaranteed deal.

The Rockets are one of the dwindling number of teams prepared to field a full 15-man roster this season and are expected to choose between leading contender Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Beck and summer-league guards Will Conroy and Garrett Temple for that last spot.

Yet Rockets general manager Daryl Morey made it clear in a statement Tuesday that signing McCants when the former North Carolina star is healthy is still in his thoughts.

“Unfortunately Rashad is still recovering from an abdominal injury that would have made it very difficult for him to earn a spot on our roster,” Morey said. “We were looking forward to seeing him compete with the mix of guards we have in camp, but he simply would not have been completely healthy. We are open to taking another look at him down the line when his condition improves.”

Although he’s a proven NBA scorer, McCants has been looking for work all summer after the Minnesota Timberwolves traded him to Sacramento in February and the Kings passed on re-signing him.

The Rockets need scorers with Yao Ming out for the season and Tracy McGrady still sidelined after knee surgery and were willing to audition McCants — just as they gambled on Von Wafer last season — in spite of concerns about McCants’ willingness to play a team game and cope with limited playing time.

Beck faced similar criticisms during the summer while playing for Mexico’s national team and was ultimately removed from the team during the FIBA Americas Championship

[NorthernLights666Participant]

One of the least mature players with the most talent ever.

[T-WOLF FANParticipant]

He sure is one of the least mature players and one of the least consistant too.. maybe one night he would score 20+ points and then the very next game, maybe he would score 6… he drove me nuts as a fan !!!
I never liked him when he was with the t-wolves, he was always shoot first, pass later even when another player would be open or had a better shot… damn ball hog !!
I’m glad he’s gone and I am glad the Rockets didn’t pick him up..

[d-grizzlyParticipant]

this is a great opportunity for another team to pick him up, hopefuly an elite team? i think houston should have just given him a deal regardless of this ab injury. they said they’d take another look at him when his injury clears up, but i could see another team stealing him away. It’d be cool to see the bulls go for this guy for help at the 2!

[JNixonParticipant]

I like McCants talent, especially when he competes hard. He can be unstoppable when he gets on scoring streaks and actually plays D. He could have a JR Smith (old) role an score a bunch as a 6th man. Surprised Houston didnt stick with him after Wafer’s success, he wouldve filled the role effectively.

[T-WOLF FANParticipant]

I agree, he could be a decent 6th man if gets more consistant with his shot.. he is a very streaky shooter…

[kaceyParticipant]

Has to be disappointed. I’m not as high on this guy as most people on here seem to be, but he should atleast be able to sign on with somebody once he is at 100%.

[Author]

Posts