HoopsHype.com Rumors

The Pistons, according to NBA coaching sources, are adding Houston Rockets assistant J.B. Bickerstaff to the list of candidates they're considering to replace the ousted Lawrence Frank. ESPN.com

Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Coaching, JB Bickerstaff 

The same reporter asked a follow-up on if Lin would be opposed to the Rockets possibly asking Lin to come off the bench next season. "I don't think your role is limited to starting or coming off the bench," Lin responded. "It just depends on what your role is when you play and how you play and you can look at what Jarrett Jack (of the Warriors) has done. So it just depends." CSN Houston

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin 

That said, Lin is clearly not resting on his laurels. Ever since the Rockets' season ended Saturday after Game Six, he has talked about improving in multiple facets of his game and emerging a stronger force for next season. "(I'm working on) just becoming a better offensive and defensive player," Lin said. "And just comprehensively looking at my turnovers, missed shots, and defensive breakdowns." And, unlike last year, he now has an entire offseason where he doesn't have to think about learning a new system. He can focus on improving upon what he already learned. "I'm just going into something that I'm more comfortable in, you know, not having to wonder or hope or have it be a complete mystery," Lin said. "Next year, I'll have a good idea about the organization, my teammates, the city, everything. I'm really looking forward to it." CSN Houston

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin 

With the Rockets expected to make a run in free agency at Lakers center Dwight Howard, Rockets center Omer Asik said he has not given a thought to how Howard might impact his position with the team or if they could play together. “It’s all things that happen out of my control,” Asik said. “I really don’t know and I really don’t care. Whether it happens, we’ll see. I’m just looking forward to rest and getting better for the next season.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Dwight Howard 

Aaron Brooks, like the other Rockets players who had exit interviews Monday, said he need to work on things during the summer. Apparently, dry stand-up humor is among his career goals. On his conversation with coach Kevin McHale: “He just said I was delightful, the best player he ever coached. That’s pretty much it. It was a good meeting.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, Aaron Brooks 

Mark Berman: Patrick Beverley on attention he's received w/ the Rockets:"Now I've been able to go in restaurants & I don't have to wait in line anymore." Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Patrick Beverley 

Asik will join the Turkish national team for its World Championships qualifying tournament this summer. Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik 

NBA sources told FOX 26 Sports the Philadelphia 76ers requested permission from the Houston Rockets to speak with assistant coach Kelvin Sampson. FOX 26 Sports

Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Mark Berman: At least 3 teams requested permission to interview Rockets ass't Kelvin Sampson. Latest according to sources: 76ers along w/ Bucks & Bobcats Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Charlotte Bobcats, Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Philadelphia 76ers, Coaching, Kelvin Sampson 

Howard Chen: Aaron Brooks' contract not guaranteed for nxt yr, would be $2.5 mill. Says team hasn't given him indication yet if he'll be back. #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Aaron Brooks 

Howard Chen: Francisco Garcia says Rockets a special group w how tight they are. Would love to come back. Rockets have $6.4 mill team option. #RedNation Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Francisco Garcia 

Former Bucks assistant coach Kelvin Sampson is scheduled to interview for Milwaukee's head coaching job on Thursday, according to a basketball source. The Bucks asked Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey for permission to interview Sampson, currently an assistant to Rockets head coach Kevin McHale. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Daryl Morey, Kelvin Sampson 

Yao Ming, the former Houston Rockets superstar, believes a Filipino will someday make it to the National Basketball Association. Yao, who arrived Saturday night, said with China and other countries in Asia able to produce NBA players, it's only a matter of time before the Philippines can also make a splash into the NBA scene. "There are Iran players [in the NBA] and I believe there will be a Filipino in the NBA in the future," Yao, who said through interpreter Guo Weisheng during the Philippines-China Friendship Games presser held at the Solaire Resort & Casino in Paranaque City Sunday morning. Yahoo! Sports Philippines

Houston Rockets, Yao Ming, Philippines 

The Milwaukee Bucks are planning interviews with Nate McMillan and Kelvin Sampson this week for the franchise's head-coaching job, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. McMillan and Sampson, a Houston Rockets assistant, are two of Milwaukee general manager John Hammond's top candidates for the job, league sources said. Yahoo! Sports

Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks, Coaching, Nate McMillan, Kelvin Sampson 

There is a “good chance” Furkan Aldemir will join the Rockets next season, according to a source with knowledge of the situation. The 6-foot-9 power forward out of Turkey was acquired by the Rockets in a draft day trade after being selected by the Clippers with the 53rd pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. It was originally assumed on draft night that he would come over no sooner than 2014. Clutchfans

Houston Rockets, Furkan Aldemir 

The Houston Rockets obviously aren't all the way out of OKC's lives, given how intertwined these franchises will be for the foreseeable future after the late October blockbuster deal that made Harden a Rocket and the sideline rush from Houston's Patrick Beverley that left Westbrook with a season-ending knee injury. The Thunder were nonetheless thrilled late Friday night to finally get away from them, at least for the next few months, by scrapping to a 103-94 triumph at Toyota Center that ended a costly, agonizing series in six games. "I was starting to hate those guys," Kevin Durant admitted at the post-game podium, paying tribute to the Rockets' stubborn resilience but also revealing a measure of the tension that has built up over the past two weeks and, really, these last six months. "I was starting to hate every one of them guys on their team. That's what happens in a series ... I'm sure they felt the same way about us." ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Kevin Durant, Patrick Beverley 

Sources close to the situation likewise said Friday that McHale's willingness to keep coaching the Rockets is believed to be in the "90 percent" range, amid persistent rumbles in coaching circles that the Rockets would inevitably pursue Stan Van Gundy -- who's been on friendly terms with Howard all season since they went their separate ways -- if McHale decided he needed to walk away from the game after the tragic loss of his daughter Sasha in November. "It's been a long year for me personally in a lot of ways," McHale said. "But these guys fought hard for me every night. We didn't always play the smartest and we didn't always play the cleanest, but ... for a young team that's an impressive thing." ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Stan Van Gundy 

Jonathan Feigen: Alexander praised McHale, staff. They've talked. McHale has 2 more yrs on contract. "Kevin has done a great job. He’s not going anywhere." Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Leslie Alexander 

Mark Berman: Leslie Alexander on Kevin McHale:"He has a great way w/the players. He's always honest & never backs down, but he has no ego in that regard" Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Leslie Alexander 

Mark Berman: Leslie Alexander on possibly losing ass't Kelvin Sampson:"Kelvin is a good coach. We hate to lose anybody,but people have a right 2 move up" Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Coaching, Kevin McHale, Kelvin Sampson, Leslie Alexander