Rockets owner feels good despite NBA-worst record
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is optimistic about his franchise's future despite recording the NBA's worst record this season.
"I never thought I could feel this good after winning only 16 games," Fertitta told ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "I never thought I could feel this good when I've been so upset about losing.
"But when I look at all the draft picks that we have and the future, I'm just happy. I know it's unusual to feel this good with your coach and your general manager, but I do."
Houston elected not to sign bench boss Mike D'Antoni to a new contract last offseason, while longtime general manager Daryl Morey resigned after a 13-year run.
The Rockets also traded All-Star guard Russell Westbrook prior to the 2020-21 campaign and moved James Harden in a four-team blockbuster deal less than a month into the season.
Houston got off to a respectable 11-10 start under first-year head coach Stephen Silas but lost a franchise-record 20 consecutive games immediately after.
Injuries to numerous key players - including John Wall and Christian Wood - contributed to the club's struggles and forced an NBA-record 29 different players to suit up for the team this season.
"Silas has just shown a great ability to develop these guys, and he's had thrown at him something that's unprecedented: to have 29 guys play for a team - and play real minutes," Fertitta said. "All these injuries happened this year. This will never happen again. It's hard to believe we were 11-10 and then all the injuries started.
"I think he's handled it unbelievably. It was hard on everybody."