HoopsHype.com Rumors

The threat of the James Harden-led Rockets signing Howard away from L.A. is very real to the Lakers, sources said, which means the Lakers will eventually be getting a sign-and-trade pitch from Houston as well. The Rockets will have the cap space to sign Howard outright after the expected shedding of Thomas Robinson's contract, but sources say that the Rockets will certainly attempt to convince the Lakers to take in return Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin in a sign-and-trade deal for Howard, thus theoretically keeping alive the possibility that Houston could preserve its cap space to pursue Chris Paul and possibly pair Howard with Paul. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Chris Paul, Omer Asik, Dwight Howard, Jeremy Lin, Thomas Robinson 

First basketball players moved from eight-button zoot suits to the boardroom attire of Michael Jordan. Then a generation of players from the early 2000s had survived the rapper, gangsta, slovenly-spoiled-rich-kid aesthetic. Now, the door had opened on the progressive sensibility of players such as Tyson Chandler, Amar’e Stoudemire, Rajon Rondo and Russell Westbrook. Today’s basketball-playing young millionaires have on their own — or, for some, with an assist from the experts — developed a style that is artfully advanced and a touch competitive, but, most notably, body-conscious. “They’re all their own specific kind of dandy or peacock,” said Brian Coats, contributing fashion editor at GQ, who has styled a host of athletes — including Jeremy Lin, Chris Paul and LeBron James — for the magazine. “They all want to be a little dressier than their competition. “It’s so refreshing not to see them in the eight-button suit [jacket] down to their knees,” Coats said. “No one’s jacket needs to be that long unless you’re Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Washington Post

LeBron James, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Michael Jordan, Tyson Chandler, Russell Westbrook, Jeremy Lin, Fashion 

Jeremy Lin: Shoutout to @JHarden13 for making All-NBA 3rd team!! Great teammate, better person, even better beard! #Godisgood Twitter

Houston Rockets, James Harden, Jeremy Lin 

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 

Mark Berman: Jeremy Lin (chest bruise) says he'll play tonight and will come off the bench. Says it's "huge, huge burden off my shoulders." Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Mark Berman: Jeremy Lin says he will not play tonight. Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Howard Chen: Both JLin and HARDEN are gametime decisions. Harden is feeling ill. #RedNation #NBAPlayoffs Twitter @ho_chenCSN

Houston Rockets, James Harden, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Jason Friedman: Lin says he'll work out pre-game again as he's done past two games. Availability will hinge in part on how those go. Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Jason Friedman: No significant update on J-Lin today. Practice was just review & walk through. Lin did conditioning, shooting. He'll be gametime again tmrw. Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Adrian Wojnarowski: Jeremy Lin is out for Houston in Game 4 against OKC, league sources tell Y! He has a bruised chest. Francisco Garcia will start for Rockets. Twitter @WojYahooNBA

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin, Francisco Garcia 

Lin replied “everything” when asked what hurt and what part of his game was affected by the injury, which occurred in a collision with Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha. “It’s limited me some, but everybody is hurt, everybody is dinged up,” Lin said. “I’ve just got to find a way to get through it, and if I step on the court, I need to be prepared to play and play well. If you’re injured, you can’t be on the floor. If you’re on the floor, you’re OK. That’s kind of the way it is.” Houston Chronicle

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Injuries, Jeremy Lin, Thabo Sefolosha 

Jason Friedman: Lin will be gametime decision once again tomorrow for game 4 Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Jonathan Feigen: On whether to allow Jeremy Lin to play with injury, McHale said 'That's a big decision for us.' Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Darnell Mayberry: Jeremy Lin (chest) is still questionable for tonight but says he's hopeful he can play. "I'm feeling a lot better," he said. Twitter @DarnellMayberry

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Mark Berman: Rockets guard Jeremy Lin has a bruised chest muscle and is a game time decision for Saturday. Twitter @MarkBermanFox26

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin has come out of Game 2 of Houston's playoff series against Oklahoma City because of a muscle contusion in his chest. Lin was wincing as a trainer worked on his right shoulder near half-court during halftime. Lin lined up as though he was going to continue playing, but then pulled himself out of the game just before play was set to resume. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Jason Friedman: Lin says x-rays negative. Will continue treatment in days to come. Says as long as spasms stop he should be good for game 3. Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, Injuries, Jeremy Lin 

Jonathan Feigen: Jeremy Lin last night: "We played bad all the way across the board. Everybody, starting with myself, is capable of a lot more." Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin 

But despite being named first-team All-State and Northern California Division II Player of the Year, local schools like Stanford and UCLA passed on the 6-foot-3 Lin. "Well, I think the obvious thing in my mind is that I was Asian-American, which, you know, is a whole different issue but ... I think that was a barrier," Lin told Charlie Rose in a "60 Minutes" interview that will air Sunday night. "I mean ... it's a stereotype." Lin ended up at Harvard University, where he was twice named to the All-Ivy League first team. He went undrafted out of college, but impressed in the NBA Summer League and signed with the Golden State Warriors in 2010. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Jeremy Lin