The Houston Rockets will open their 2016-17 preseason schedule against the Shanghai Sharks in Houston. This is more than a game for both teams as it will also be a bridge that honors Yao Ming for everything that he has done for the Rockets and his native country.
Ming, will bring his team to the city he once hoped to bring an NBA title to. While the Sharks will enter the Toyota Center in awe of NBA players, they will not go down without a fight. The Sharks currently have 3 players that either have or will soon play in the league. So, there is talent on the team that the Rockets must not take lightly. Jimmer Fredette, the sharp-shooter is a key member of the team and so is NBA vet, A.J. Price, and Guerschon Yabusele, who was selected 16th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft.
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The Rockets will throw, possibly the best SG in the league at the Sharks with a talent level that’s not seen in their league. Harden averaged 29 points per game last season as he led the Rockets to the NBA playoffs again. The Rockets are not the same team that ended 2015. They have a new HC in Mike D’Antoni, and a new man in the paint in Clint Capella after the departure of Dwight Howard. But not to be outdone by the starting unit are the new look reserves. Gone is Michael Beasley and Josh Smith, as they were replaced with Nene, Eric Gordon, and Ryan Anderson.
The Sharks have exposure. They are owned by Ming and just won their first ever Merlin Cup in 2016 with some clutch shooting from Fredette. The Sharks are not entering this contest for autographs and attention, they are looking to win.
Here is where you can watch the game live Sunday night.
Date: Sunday, October 2
Start Time: 8:00 p.m. (EST)
TV Channel: NBA TV
Live Stream: Stream 1