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POSTGAME QUOTES
NOVEMBER 9, 2002


On the game:
"We did a great job on defense and fast breaks. And in the second half, Steve (Francis) got it going. Eddie (Griffin) made big shots. Kenny (Thomas) was phenomenal. And we just gutted it out. Cuttino (Mobley), who is going through an emotional time with the loss of a loved one, gave us what he could."

On Hakeem Olajuwon's jersey retirement ceremony:
"I just loved it. It just all stemmed from Dream’s spirit. I saw him in the hallway before the game and he was full of joy and gratefulness. I thanked him and he thanked me. And I just wanted him to feel the love we have for him."

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On the ceremony:
"It was great. I was happy for Dream. It was a special day but we still had to go out there and try to play hard."

On the game:
"Coach says we are a special team when we move the ball. On defense we made some mistakes today but we will have to go look at the tape."

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On Hakeem's tribute:
"Like I said before the game, I knew it was going to be a real emotional night, not only for the players but for the people of Houston. It almost looked like it was unreal because I couldn’t believe it. I was happy I was able to witness it and as long as I play here in Houston , that will be something that I remember and his jersey will be hanging in the rafters forever here."

On the game:
"It was a grind. I think in the first half everybody was pretty much excited about what was going to happen. In the second half, I thought we came out and passed the ball really well and looked for open guys."

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On Hakeem's ceremony:
"It was a real special night. He’s done so much for the team and for the city of Houston. He made a big impact here. It was a fun night."

On the game:
"Winning capped it off. It made it a better night. It made it a better night for us and for him, to retire and go out on a win."


On the Rockets:
"That’s what we want to do. We want to win our ball games. We have to keep winning so we can make the playoffs and if we play like we did tonight, we will have a good chance."

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On the game:
"We’re not happy with the results, but I am happy with the effort."

On Gilbert Arenas:
"Both Houston guards are phenomenal players and I thought Gilbert did a fantastic job both offensively and defensively. He continues to improve each game out."

On Jason Richardson:
"Jason’s effort is phenomenal and we don’t have a problem with that at all. I never say anything negative about a guy that lays it on the line like he does."

On his team’s early season play:
"Hopefully, we will come around and get some wins. We’re headed in the right direction but I am a short term guy. We need to focus on competing when we step between the lines."

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On his play:
“They ran the plays for me down the stretch. Houston didn’t have anybody that could stop me inside and when they doubled, I kicked it out to our shooters."

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On the team’s slow start:
"We know how to be so close. We’ve done that for the last six games and we have to get over the hump. It is a physical and mental thing. It’s a building process. I guess we can’t win overnight, but we’d like to. It’s hard to give it your all and come out on the short end."

On his early season play:
"We’re 1-6 and it is hard to look at my play when we are losing. I have to come out and play hard every day."

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On his team's season:
"The growth is good for this team. We have to learn how to win games. It’s great to grow but we need to win. It’s frustrating because we want to finish games and we are tired of being close and still losing."