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Thursday, June 28 @ 6:30 pm at Dave & Busters

The Houston Rockets will be celebrating the beginning of a new season and this year’s NBA Draft, Thursday, June 28.

Join us at the official place for NBA fans to watch where players like Kevin Durant, Greg Oden, and Glen Davis will play this season.  We will also have insight into the future of the Rockets.

We will have plenty of Rockets prizes, autographed items, and much more.  Capture the moment at our Photo Station, brought to you by our friends at T-Mobile.

We will have expert analysis from Sports Radio 610 and an appearance from new Rockets point guard Mike James.  And immediately following the Rockets pick, join us for an exclusive interview with Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, only to be seen live at the Draft Party.

Every fan will get an official NBA Draft Guide and the first 500 fans will receive a Dave & Busters Player Card.  The night will also include an appearance from your Rockets Power Dancers.

The Houston Rockets 2007 Official Draft Party presented by Bud Light will be on Thursday, June 28 @ 6:30 pm at Dave and Busters on Richmond and Fountainview. Make sure you arrive early to secure a seat!

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Offical 2007 Draft Party presented by Bud Light

Wells placed on inactive list for remainder of season

Rockets player fined after missing Monday's game in Seattle

HOUSTON -- Bonzi Wells has played in his final game this season.
      The Rockets swingman has been placed on the inactive list for the remainder of the season after missing Monday's game at Seattle. He was also fined by the team for his absence.
      Wells did not join the team for its pregame walkthrough on Monday morning and
wasn't in the arena before the game. He had played in the two previous games after being on the inactive list for over a month.
Wells played in 28 games, averaging 7.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.

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Rockets center named West's Player of the Week for fifth time in career

HOUSTON -- Since returning from a broken bone below his right knee, Yao Ming has been trying to regain the form that made him an early MVP candidate in December.
  On Monday, the big fella received confirmation that he's well on his way.
  The Rockets center was named the Western Conference's Player of the Week for the second time this season and fifth time in his career after putting together his most dominating stretch since returning from a fractured right tibia.
  Yao guided the Rockets to a 3-1 record over the week, averaging 30 points, 12.5 rebounds and 2.25 blocks.
  The Rockets center is showing that he has rediscovered his timing and conditioning after missing 2 1/2 months due to injury.
  "The key was conditioning," Rockets forward Juwan Howard said. "He just had to get back into playing the shape. We knew that he never lost his game. He's not only a 7-foot-5 statue, but he's also a 7-foot-5 skilled and fundamentally-sound basketball player. We can depend on him for scoring in the post or mid-post area."
  The  center heads into Wednesday's game against Golden State having posted three consecutive double-doubles.
  He dropped a season-high 39 points and pulled down 11 rebounds in an overtime win over the Los Angeles Lakers  Friday night. He swished 17 free throws in that game after attempting a career-high 21 shots from the stripe. The center then followed that performance Sunday with a 35-point, 16-rebound effort against the Utah Jazz.
  The Rockets have improved improved to 11-5 since Yao returned from his injury and are just 1 1/2 games behind the Utah Jazz for home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Head optimistic about return: Rockets guard Luther Head is expecting to return to the lineup Wednesday against Golden State after being held out of the past two games with a bruised right shoulder.
  "I should be back on Wednesday," Head said after Sunday's setback to the Utah Jazz.
  Head, the Rockets' leading three-point shooter, hurt his shoulder against Milwaukee on March 26. He played against the Clippers on March 28, but had trouble finishing his shooting motion because of the injury. The Rockets gave him time off to rest.
  Head's injury has yielded more playing time for John Lucas III over the past two games. Not Looking Ahead: The Rockets appear destined to face the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs, but Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy doesn't plan on discussing a potential series against Utah until both teams are locked into their playoffs spots.
  "I'm not going to really speak about a series," Van Gundy said. "Until there is a certainty, there's no sense in hypothesizing. To think ahead right now would serve no positive purpose."
  The Rockets are a win or a Lakers loss away from securing at least the fifth spot in the West, while the Jazz are four games behind San Antonio for the No. 3 seed with nine games remaining on their schedule.

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RPD's Heidi chats  with Rockets.com about being a big basketball fan

Name: Heidi Age: 23Hometown: Houston Occupation: Student College: University of Houston Degree: Communications and Spanish Seasons as RPD: Rookie

Rockets.com: Why did you want to become a Rockets Power Dancer?Heidi: Becoming a Rockets Power Dancer is a natural evolution of who I am as a person. Words cannot begin to explain the emotion, excitement and rush of adrenaline I get each time performing in front of the Rockets and Toyota Center fans. I have always been a performer and basketball fanatic, and involved in the community. Being a Rockets Power Dancer provided the opportunity to engage in all three at once and continue to explore and find self development.

Rockets.com: Are you a big basketball fan?Heidi: Big is an understatement! I respect all sports and those with natural-born talents, but especially those athletes who dedicate themselves to being at the top of their sport. Basketball is by far my favorite sport and I remember being a young girl juggling ballet classes and youth basketball league. My parents would drive me directly from Nutcracker performances to basketball games, in the car wiping stage makeup off as I put my game face on. In fact, I attended several basketball camps including one directed by John Lucas, Sr. with guest Houston Rockets star Clyde Drexler. Basketball didn't exactly workout for me, though ...but I still have dunking skills!

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite moment, so far, as a Rockets Power Dancer?Heidi: I have two equally favorite moments. The first being my participation in a fundraiser where I was able to meet the mother of a 7 year old boy, who was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 4. He was an aspiring basketball player and had his spirits lifted when he was able to meet his favorite Rockets player and hero, T- Mac. Through the efforts of the fundraiser and other help, he continues to receive medical treatment and his condition has dramatically improved. No matter how small my role, it was important for me to be part of that event. My second favorite moment was the actual Rockets Power Dancer tryouts. My grandmother has always been my biggest fan, attending each one of my dance recitals and performances as a child. She was extremely ill during the last week of her life, but happened to be awake and watching television at the exact moment I was interviewed by local news reporters at tryouts. My family said when she saw my face on the screen she sat up and started clapping, full of delight, and had a huge smile on her face. Everyone was surprised to see my grandmother full of so much life and excitement. I can picture it perfectly, and even now, I know she continues to watch me day after day, game after game.

Rockets.com: What was your experience like in the photo shoot for the RPD calendar? Heidi: Please do not be deceived by my warm smile and pose in front of a hot tub (as pictured in the calendar) - that was the easy shot. I also took several pictures on that cold, rainy December morning lying in the ocean. I gained a great deal of respect for models as I tried to maintain a Houston Rockets Power Dancer smile while keeping my teeth from chattering and goose bumps from showing!

Rockets.com: Have you had any embarrassing moments as an RPD?Heidi: No on-court moments, but leaving Europe from our Houston Rockets ArmedForces Entertainment tour, I experienced a sort of ... luggage malfunction, and actually had to abandon my suitcase. I repacked all my clothes and shoes in already overflowing shopping bags. Not exactly cool walking through an international airport with "plastic luggage" hanging up and down my arms.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite costume this season?Heidi: I love Christmas so it has to be the Santa's little helper costume.

Rockets.com: Besides being a RPD, what do you do for a living?Heidi: I am a student at the University of Houston.

Rockets.com: What do you do in your free time, if you have any?Heidi: I spend time with family, have lunch dates with Dad and do a lot of studying. I also love going to the movies and anywhere that has music.

Rockets.com: Do you have a favorite activity?Heidi: I love dancing at home, girls' nights out with mom, family events, and weddings (not my own).  Also, anything fun that involves games. I love arcades and my free throw percentage is 97 percent at pop-a-shot.

Rockets.com: What is your favorite sports team?Heidi: Come on, man!! The Houston Rockets, of course!! I'm old school. I was there in '94 and '95 for the back-to-back and we are about to start it again this year!

Rockets.com: What is the greatest movie ever?Heidi: I have so many favorites but final answers are "Casino," "The Longest Yard," and "Blood Diamond."

Rockets.com: How about the best restaurant?Heidi: P.F. Changs and Le Peep. I love breakfast.

Rockets.com: If you could have dinner with anyone on the planet, who would it beand why?Heidi: Oprah Winfrey and Mary J. Blige. Both are incredible and strong women who have helped heal many souls, and continue to impact lives all over the world.

Rockets.com: Where do you want to travel and why?Heidi: Barbados, I love the water.

Rockets.com: What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?Heidi: My answer is non-exact in the respect that I have no limits and am still evolving as a person, learning and discovering each day. I will be doing whatever I deem true and honest to myself, family, and community. What specifically that is I don't know, but I will tell you in 10 years.

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RPD's Heidi chats with Rockets.com about being a big basketball fan

RPD's Davique chats  with Rockets.com about her hoops family

Name: DaviqueAge: 27Hometown: Cape Girardeau, MissouriOccupation: TeacherAlma Mater: Southern University JaguarsDegree: Bachelors of Arts - Mass CommunicationsSeasons as RPD: Third

Rockets.com: Why did you want to become a Rockets Power Dancer?Davique: After college, I stopped dancing because I wanted to spend time with my family and work on a teaching career. There also weren't any professional dance teams in the area that I was living in. Numerous friends were moving to New York and L.A. to pursue their dancing careers around the same time and tried to get me to go as well. A part of me really wanted to go, but I am a family person and didn't want to leave my family. My cousin finally convinced me to audition for RPD and I agreed. I made it and made the move to Houston. It was a bit scary, but one of the best decisions I've made. I've found a home, career and happiness and I am doing what I love to do most and that is perform.

Rockets.com: Are you a big basketball fan?Davique: I am a huge basketball fan. I would be watching it even if I wasn't cheering out there! My father is a college basketball coach at McNeese State. My uncle, Joe Dumars, is a former NBA player and now works with the Detroit Pistons as President of Basketball Operations. And my boyfriend is currently playing in Seville, Spain. Many say it runs in my blood, although I'm not very good at playing the sport myself. I have been watching basketball since a little girl and I still love it.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite moment, so far, as a Rockets Power Dancer?Davique: My favorite moment as a RPD was participating in the Hurricane Katrina Relief Event held by the NBA. It was amazing to see the organization come together and work towards bringing happiness to people that have gone through something so traumatizing.

Rockets.com: What was your experience like in the photo shoot for the RPD calendar?Davique: The calendar shoot was great. Bill and Susie were great to work with. They know each dancer and what they like, so they bring out the best in you. I was lucky enough to shoot in the hotel lobby, so I was warm and had lots of fun.

Rockets.com: Have you had any embarrassing moments as an RPD?Davique: I haven't had any embarrassing moments, but we recently performed in chaps that we had to rip off of the next dancer. I was so afraid that I wasn't going to get hers off, but they came off and I made it through the dance. Now, I can look forward to dancing in the chaps again.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite dance routine through the first two months of the season?Davique: I really enjoy performing "Proud Mary" ... It is a personal favorite of mine. The song is full of energy and character.

Rockets.com: Why haven't you been dunking with the dunking dancers this season?Davique: I sprained my ankle pretty bad at the beginning of the season and I was out for six to eight weeks. I am currently working to get the strength back in my ankle so I can come back and dunk in the last few games. I really miss dunking because the feeling you get flying through the air is something you can't describe. The girls have done a great job this year and I look forward to coming back.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite costume this season?Davique: My favorite costume is what we wore during "Proud Mary." We wore black bikers and a black fringe top with character shoes. It just fits the dance and puts you in that role for the dance.

Rockets.com: Besides being a RPD, what do you do for a living?Davique: I am a pre-kindergarten and kindergarten dance teacher. I teach ballet, tap and creative movement to the little ones.

Rockets.com: Do you ever get recognized in public as an RPD?Davique: I do get recognized in public. It is awesome too because sometimes they don't know how to approach me.

Rockets.com: What do you do in your free time, if you have any?Davique: I love to shop! Dresses and shoes are my favorites. Also, playing with my puppy, Buckets, and spending time with my family and friends.

Rockets.com: Do you have a favorite activity?Davique: Since I like to shop so much, I love to organize my closet. I like for it to be nice and neat. Other than that, I would say dancing and reading.

Rockets.com: What is your favorite sports team?Davique: Of course, the Rockets!

Rockets.com: What is the greatest movie ever?Davique: Coming to America

Rockets.com: How about the best restaurant?Davique: I love P.F. Chang's

Rockets.com: If you could have dinner with anyone on the planet, who would it be and why?Davique: My great-grandmothers. I want to know more about my family history and I would want to tell them all about the family now.

Rockets.com: Where do you want to travel and why?Davique: I've been very blessed to travel to numerous places and see so much. But the next place on my list would be Morocco! I've heard it's beautiful!

Rockets.com: What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?Davique: If it's in God's plan, I hope to be married with at least two kids and owning a successful clothing boutique.

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RPD's Davique chats with Rockets.com about her hoops family

RPD rookie Ashley S. chats  about her first season with the squad

Name: Ashley S. Age: 20Hometown: Clear LakeOccupation: Legal Assistant and StudentSchool: San Jacinto CollegeMajor: UndecidedSeasons as RPD: Rookie

Rockets.com: Why did you want to become a Rockets Power Dancer?Ashley: I have been dancing almost all of my life, and it is something that I want to do for many years to come. I went to Rockets games growing up and, since I didn’t really understand the sport, I always watched the Dancers. After I graduated from high school, I wanted to take my dancing to the next level! It has always been a dream of mine to become a Professional Dancer, and now I am living my dream! I honestly did not think I was going to make the team when I first tried out and sometimes I pinch myself to ensure that this is reality and not just a dream. I believe it is an amazing achievement to be a Rockets Power Dancer and I am so proud to be affiliated with such a prestigious team!

Rockets.com: Are you a big basketball fan?Ashley: Well, I never really understood basketball until now. During the first couple of games this season, I really started paying attention. Now that I actually understand the sport, I love it!

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite moment, so far, as a Rockets Power Dancer?Ashley: There are too many to name. But a couple of memories that stand out are opening my congratulatory letter after a rough two-week training camp, putting on the red-classic Power Dancer uniform for the first time, running out on the court for my first game and, of course, the Armed Forces Entertainment Tour. All those moments are memories that I know I will never forget!

Rockets.com: What was your experience like in the photo shoot for the RPD calendar?Ashley: It was so much fun! I was really cold wearing a swim suit in December. But Susie, our director, and Bill, the photographer, made me feel very comfortable and confident! Our hair and make-up sponsors did an amazing job that prevailed over wind and rain! Fortunately for me, I did not have to get in a pool. I am so happy with the outcome of the calendar and I feel very lucky to be on the back cover!

Rockets.com: Have you had any embarrassing moments as an RPD?Ashley: Yes, it happened during my first game! We were performing a routine to ‘Red Alert’ in which we took off our jackets to reveal a silver tube top. During court practice, I was having some issues with the zipper on my jacket and it kept getting stuck. So before I went out to perform, I made triple sure it wasn’t sticking. Sure enough, during the performance when we unzip our jackets, mine got stuck. I had to pull the jacket down over my hips to my ankles, where it got caught on my foot. I was frantically kicking my foot trying to get the jacket off, while moving formations.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite dance routine through the first two months of the season?Ashley: I loved dancing to “Girls, Girls, Girls”

Rockets.com: Why haven't you been dunking with the dunking dancers this season?Ashley: When I first made the team, I assumed that we would all dunk, which made me nervous. Even though I dance, I am not very coordinated and I am not very good at any other sports. When we first started dunking, I was a little hesitant, but as I got more confident, I had a lot of fun with it! Unfortunately, I got nowhere near the basket. All of the dunking dancers are amazing and most of them with a few exceptions, have a background of cheerleading or gymnastics.

Rockets.com: What has been your favorite costume this season?Ashley: I think that all of our costumes are cute, but I love the chaps! I blame it on growing up in the South, but I think we look amazing in our chaps and cowboy hats! I haven’t had the chance to wear them, so hopefully before the season is over we will wear them again!

Rockets.com: Besides being a RPD, what do you do for a living?Ashley: I am a full-time student and I also work at a Law Firm as a legal assistant.

Rockets.com: Do you ever get recognized in public as an RPD?Ashley: Yes! I was eating lunch at a Mexican Restaurant, and one of the waiters asked me if I was a Power Dancer. I was so surprised that someone recognized me (especially when I wasn’t wearing the Rockets logo) that I just mumbled “uh huh.” Also, recently, Julie C. and I were practicing at our local gym, when a man brought a calendar and asked us to autograph it.

Rockets.com: What do you do in your free time, if you have any?Ashley: I don’t normally have a lot of free time, but when I am not at school, work, practice, games or appearances, I like playing poker with my family and friends, going to the movies, and going to Karaoke! I could not sing if my life depended on it, but my boyfriend has an amazing voice and it is always fun to watch people try to imitate their favorite musical artists!

Rockets.com: Do you have a favorite activity?Ashley: Dancing is by far my favorite activity! Like I said before, I have done it for as long as I can remember, and I think it will be a passion of mine forever.

Rockets.com: What is your favorite sports team?Ashley: The Rockets! I normally wear some sort of Rockets apparel at least three times a week, and I am constantly asked “Are you a big Rockets fan or something?” I normally just laugh and say “Yes!” Houston is very lucky to have such a dynamic and diverse team, that represents our city well!
       Rockets.com: What is the greatest movie ever?Ashley: It is too hard for me to narrow it down to just one movie! I love going to the movies. I try to go at least two times a week! I would say my top three favorite movies are Pretty Woman, Fight Club and Finding Nemo! I don’t necessarily only watch chick flicks. I like a little of everything EXCEPT horror movies! I am such a scaredy cat!

Rockets.com: How about the best restaurant?Ashley: Again, it is really hard to narrow it down to just one! I love to eat, especially at restaurants! Some of my favorites are Johnny Tamales, Gringos, Mariposa in Neiman Marcus (the monkey bread is to die for), BJ’s, Pei Wei, La Madeleine and Thai Cottage!

Rockets.com: If you could have dinner with anyone on the planet, who would it be and why?Ashley: My entire family! My grandparents are no longer with us, along with some of my aunts and recently a cousin. It would be really nice to have dinner with them as well as my other relatives that I don’t get to see often. My family is spread out all over the country and I would love to catch up with all of them.

Rockets.com: Where do you want to travel and why?Ashley: Thanks to the Rockets, I was lucky enough to do an Armed Forces Entertainment Tour last September. We danced for our troops in Kosovo, Bosnia and England. I had never been outside the United States so I was excited to see the rest of the World. It was before the season started, so it was the first time I performed as a Power Dancer. I had so much fun and if the opportunity ever comes up again, I would definitely take advantage of it. The trip was an amazing experience that I know I will never forget. I would love to go back to Europe as well as travel to Australia, China and South America.

Rockets.com: What do you expect to be doing 10 years from now?Ashley: Hopefully, still dancing for the Rockets, married to the perfect man, a Mother of twins (as I have a twin brother), and very, very, very rich (hey, a girl can dream)!

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RPD rookie Ashley S. chats about her first season with the squad

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Blog Central

Rockets host three-on-three tournament and skills competitions in downtown

HOUSTON -- Tremaine Lewis had been waiting over a year to collect his first slam dunk competition trophy at the Houston Rockets' Blacktop Battle.
      On Saturday, he finally collected the sizable piece of hardware -- after jumping over it.
      Lewis, a 23-year old with professional hoops aspirations, provided the most memorable performance over this weekend's Blacktop Battle by leaping over a six-foot tall trophy for a one-handed slam.
      Over a year after finishing second in the same event in Houston, the acrobatic, final leap earned Lewis a perfect score  to win  the dunking competition.
      "I started coming up with ideas yesterday for what I was going to do," Lewis said. "I watched some old tapes of (former Bulls legend) Michael Jordan, (Celtics guard and current NBA Dunk Contest champ) Gerald Green and (New York and former dunk contest champion) Nate Robinson because he's a small guy like myself. I told myself that I was going to come out and win it this year. And that's what I did."
      The much-anticipated slam dunk contest was part of a two-day event outside Toyota Center where Rockets fans were given the chance to compete in a three-on-three basketball tournament and a collection of skills competitions on the blacktop in downtown Houston. Participants received a free ticket to the Rockets' game against the Orlando Magic on March 11.
      Lewis was competing with a group of friends in the tournament, but returned to the Blacktop Battle with his eye on the slam dunk competition trophy.He was trying to come up with an idea for his final dunk when his friends suggested that he should dunk over the  championship trophy. He did it -- clearing the top of the trophy with several inches to spare.
      After being given the award, Lewis realized that he was actually shorter than his new prize.
      "It's got an inch or two on me," said Lewis, who is 5-foot-11. "Honestly, I thought I was going to knock it over."
      Lewis easily won over  the four-man panel of judges -- Rockets legends John Egan, Major Jones, Robert Reid and Ali Taylor -- with his creativity.
      During the final round of competition, Lewis initially excited the crowd when he pulled off a shirt to reveal Jordan's No. 23 Chicago Bulls jersey. He streaked down the baseline for a one-handed, vintage Jordan dunk in which he was waggling his tongue as he was airborne.
      How did he top that? He pulled  four kids, ranging from ages 8 to 13, among a crowd of spectators and dunked over all of them to cap off  a perfect final round.
      "There were some worried  people  saying, 'Don't hurt those kids,'" Lewis said. "But I had done that dunk before. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble getting over them."
      Lewis said he is attempting to get a professional basketball career on track and is eyeing several possibilities in Europe. He was most recently  playing for the Austin Toros of the NBA's Developmental League.
      No matter where he ends up, Lewis said he would return for next season's dunk competition to try to pick up another trophy.
    "I'm going to defend it," Lewis said.

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