Notes: Hayes in the Middle?

Damien Pierce
Rockets.com Staff Writer

HOUSTON -- During pregame introductions on Tuesday night, a handful of Rockets fans seated in section 108 believed Houston's public address announcer had made a mistake when he introduced Chuck Hayes as the starting center.

Actually, the PA man knew exactly what he was talking about.

Hayes made the first start of his professional career in Tuesday night's preseason opener against Memphis and -- yes -- he started at center.

Despite matching up against a player that stood eight inches higher than him and outweighed him by 50 pounds, Hayes ended up holding more than his own as he collected four points and 10 rebounds in Houston's 75-69 setback.

The 6-foot-6, 240-pound forward, who got the start because of the absence of Yao Ming, could wind up spending as much time at center this season as power forward.

"It's not that big of deal," Hayes said of being matched up against Memphis' 7-foot-2 center Jake Tsakalidis. "I've guarded big guys since I started playing ball. It's a challenge, but guarding a big dude is nothing I haven't seen before."

Despite the obvious size difference in the middle on Tuesday night, Hayes never looked overmatched.

The power forward routinely got himself free off the pick-and-roll and actually out-rebounded Tsakalidis by a 10 to 1 margin. He only caught himself under the basket against the center twice.

Still, Hayes didn't pretend he didn't walk away with a few bruises.

"Whew, Tsakalidis is a big boy," Hayes said.

Hayes and Co. realize the second-year forward will have more challenges down the line at the position, but they're at least experimenting with the notion that Hayes could end up being Yao's primary backup.

"He has a size deficit, but hopefully, he'll have a quickness advantage," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said. "He can rebound in traffic and he's our best one-on-one post defender."

Hayes believes he will be able to use his speed in the post.

"I'm just going to use my advantages, which is my speed," Hayes said. "I've got a big guy on me so I've got to make him run. That's why coach has me in there."

Howard, Head watch: Despite not playing either veteran forward Juwan Howard and guard Luther Head in the first preseason game, Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy made it clear that the two players still have important roles on the team.

He just wanted to rest the two players to get a peak at some of the other guys.

"I know what Luther does well and doesn't do so well at the two-guard and with Juwan, I know what he does well," Van Gundy said. "I know we would have looked more organized if they were both on the floor in the second half because they would have helped settle us down. No one should read into anything. I don't think I'm going to play Juwan a lot (in the preseason) because we have all these other younger players that we need to evaluate."

Bonzi Wells (groin) also did not play because of his injury.

Too emotional?: During preseason workouts around the league, NBA officials have been meeting with teams to discuss how the game will be officiated differently in the coming months.

The biggest change?

Referees will be calling more technical fouls on players for showing a little too much emotion after a call or no call.

Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he didn't have a problem with the new policy, but he hopes the league's officials will understand that sometimes, guys get emotional.

"It's a highly emotional game," Van Gundy said. "I don't want to see a Game 7 of the NBA Finals decided by a guy who in the last minute is jumping and down because of no call and getting a T for it."

Notable: Rockets reserve center Dikembe Mutombo, who is 35 blocks shy of passing Kareem Abdul Jabbar for second on the all-time blocked shot list, had three blocks in 8 minutes of action. ... Memphis' comeback from a 21-point deficit would have equaled the fourth largest comeback by a Houston opponent had it occurred during the regular season. ... The Grizzlies completed the comeback by limiting Houston to 20 points on 20 percent shooting in the second half.