ATLANTA — All the hours put in this offseason are finally being tested Wednesday night as the Houston Rockets open their 2022 NBA regular season on the road at State Farm Arena against the Hawks.
“I am excited for the guys,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas during his pregame press conference. “They have been working so hard since May. They have put a lot of work in, and we have spent a lot of time together. We have had some good practices and some okay practices. Now it is time. Now it is real. That is great for everybody. They all should have butterflies in their stomachs ready for tonight.”
Houston will have to contend with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in the opener. The latter was acquired by the Hawks via trade during this past offseason.
“They are talented,” Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. said after the morning shootaround. “Trae can shoot the ball from pretty much anywhere and Dejounte can finish from pretty much anywhere. It is going to be a high intense game.”
For all the hype behind the Hawks’ new backcourt, the Rockets have a dynamic one of their own: Porter and second-year phenom Jalen Green.
“Our confidence,” Porter responded when asked about what makes them hard to guard for the opposing teams. “Me and J.G. (Jalen Green), we want to be the best. This offseason we have been working and that chemistry is easy between me and him, playing with him and playing off each other. The frames we have, 6-foot-6, athletic, tall, and the talent we have, I don’t think there is many that is going to line up with us. So definitely we are one of the best backcourts, and we are going to be one of the best backcourts.”
