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McHale won titles with the Boston Celtics and played alongside Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson and Danny Ainge. "I know it looks like the offense is the missing part of my game now," Asik said, "but I believe in myself I can improve that. "I am working hard every day. "In Chicago, I didn't show too much because I was playing very nervous. I just did what they asked me. I'm sure … I can improve that. "I am very happy I will be with Kevin McHale, a legendary post player. I think I will learn a lot from him and will get better." FIBA.com

Boston Celtics, Houston Rockets, Omer Asik, Kevin McHale 

The Rockets ardently pursued Asik because he is a defensive dynamo; a game-changer capable of shutting down the paint, the pick-and-roll and penetration thanks to his crazy combination of size, strength, length and quick feet. Any gains he makes on the offensive end of the floor are nothing more than mere icing sugar on this unique brand of Turkish Delight. “I always say I know how I came here,” says Asik. “My first thing is always defense and rebounding. Then the other stuff coming for me, like trying to improve on offense, of course I want to play much better on offense. I also need to improve free throw shooting, too. That’s what I’ve been working (toward). That’s why I’ve also tried to get some post moves and make sure I can finish around the rim on close catches. “We’re working everyday so that when the games come and we’re playing five-on-five I’m using those things. It’s not my instinct now because I wasn’t using the ball that much (in Chicago). It will be much different for me now and that’s why I’ve been working so hard.” NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik 

Daryl Morey: "I think our goal for this year ... is we fight for a playoff spot, even though it's one of the most challenging years to do that. The West is strong and if we were to make the playoffs, it means a lot of good things will have happened. Namely Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik or somebody else emerges to become an All-Star. "I think that's a stretch goal, but were not going to go into the year saying we're not going fight. Along the way we'll keep trying to take advantage of every opportunity to make moves that will make us better." NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik, Daryl Morey, Jeremy Lin 

"This trade didn't work out. We took a hack, and it didn't work out. But it doesn't mean we're abandoning our plan. "I think our goal for this year ... is we fight for a playoff spot, even though it's one of the most challenging years to do that. The West is strong and if we were to make the playoffs, it means a lot of good things will have happened. Namely Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik or somebody else emerges to become an All-Star. "I think that's a stretch goal, but were not going to go into the year saying we're not going fight. Along the way we'll keep trying to take advantage of every opportunity to make moves that will make us better." NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik, Daryl Morey, Jeremy Lin 

The Rockets introduced the 7-foot Asik at the Toyota Center on Thursday, a week after much more crowded news conference for the point guard Lin. Both players signed three-year, $25 million offer sheets and came to Houston when their teams -- the Bulls and Knicks -- declined to match. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Omer Asik, Jeremy Lin 

Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has added center Omer Asik (pronounced O-mair AH-shick) after the Chicago Bulls chose not to match Houston’s offer sheet for the restricted free agent. Under the terms of the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Bulls had three days to match the offer from the Rockets. NBA.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Daryl Morey 

"I'm very thankful the Bulls gave me the opportunity to start my NBA career in Chicago," Asik said. "It's a great organization in a great city with great fans. It was a great place to be introduced to the NBA because the organization has created a culture of competitiveness and teamwork, good lessons to learn. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik 

"I'm looking forward for the new opportunity in Houston," Asik said. Chicago Tribune

Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik 

The Bulls will not match the restricted free agent offer to Omer Asik, allowing Asik to join the Houston Rockets. “We have decided not to match Houston’s offer sheet for restricted free agent Omer Asik,” Bulls general manager Gar Forman said Tuesday morning. “It was a difficult decision because Omer did a nice job for us. Matching the offer for Omer could have put us in a difficult position going forward in trying to acquire high level talent. We wish Omer good luck and continued success.” Bulls.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Gar Forman 

The Bulls on Tuesday officially will announce they have declined to match Omer Asik's three-year, $25.1 million offer sheet from the Rockets, sources said, paving the way for multiple signings that began Monday with Kirk Hinrich. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Kirk Hinrich 

Because the Bulls used a portion of the $5 million midlevel exception for Hinrich and the biannual exception to sign Bellinelli, it's impossible for the Bulls to match even Asik's $5 million starting salary and stay below the hard cap of $74.3 million. They will pay the luxury tax for the first time in franchise history. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Kirk Hinrich 

By using a portion of the $5 million midlevel exception for Hinrich and earmarking the biannual exception of $1.9 million to sign Marco Bellinelli, it's impossible for the Bulls to match even Asik's $5 million starting salary and stay below $74.3 million. La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Belinelli's deal will be two years for $3.8 million. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Marco Belinelli 

The team is also expected to decline to match the Houston Rockets' three-year, $25.1 million offer to Omer Asik, according to a source familiar with the situation. The deadline for that decision is Tuesday. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik 

Typically, teams take the full period to tie up the other team's salary-cap situation. But the Bulls have no longer given any indications they will match. And though they haven't let the Rockets know their plans, league sources said Rockets management is under the impression they will land Asik. Chicago Tribune

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik 

KC Johnson: Rockets have successfully received 10:59 PM TUES deadline for Asik decision. Doesn't sound like much of one anymore for Bulls. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik 

Peter Vecsey: I did learn during function that Nazr Mohammed agreed to sign w Bulls (vs. Nets) meaning they won't match Houston offer match sheet to Asik. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Nazr Mohammed 

While the organization still hasn't seen the offer sheet Asik has apparently signed with the Houston Rockets, it seems they have decided to move on without him. A league source confirmed late Saturday night that the Bulls are on the verge of signing veteran center Nazr Mohammed. While the deal hasn't become official yet, veteran NBA writer Peter Vecsey tweeted Saturday night that Mohammed has decided to sign with the Bulls over the Brooklyn Nets and both teams have been notified about the decision. ESPN.com

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Nazr Mohammed 

Nick Friedell: League source confirms @Peter Vecsey report regarding CHI interest in Nazr Mohammed Deal not yet official but Asik's days w/Chi likely done Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Nazr Mohammed 

Alex Kennedy: Nazr Mohammed met with the Brooklyn Nets today. He's also weighing an offer from the Chicago Bulls. Source says he hasn't made a decision. Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Nazr Mohammed 

Bill Ingram: League source has confirmed @PeterVescey1 's report....Rockets get Asik..... Twitter

Chicago Bulls, Houston Rockets, Free Agency, Omer Asik, Nazr Mohammed