Rockets
Former Rockets general manager and assistant coach Carroll Dawson has passed away, the team announced. He was 86.
Dawson was an assistant under coach Rudy Tomjanovich during the Rockets’ 1994 and ’95 NBA championship runs, and was credited with helping to develop the likes of legendary center Hakeem Olajuwon.
“It wouldn’t have happened without him,” Tomjanovich said, via Jonathan Fiegen of the Houston Chronicle. “The success wouldn’t have happened without him. People don’t understand how important he was to all of us.”
Dawson also played a key role in my first book, “A Basketball Summer,” offering hours of his time for interviews, and detailing the process of building a roster in the offseason. That book came out in 2001.
“For nearly three decades, CD was a cornerstone of our organization, instrumental in shaping the careers of stars like Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson,” the Rockets said in a statement. “A proud Texas native, CD served as the only coach to be present for all four of Houston’s NBA Finals appearances, including the back-to-back championship teams.
“As general manager, he brought iconic talents to Houston including Charles Barkley, Steve Francis, Yao Ming, and Tracy McGrady, while also assembling the four-time WNBA champion Houston Comets.
“While CD’s contributions to basketball were remarkable, it was his character that truly stood out. We will deeply miss his uplifting spirit, infectious humor, and kind-hearted nature.”
- For the record, Dawson already had his initials retired by the Rockets, with a banner that reads “CD” hanging in his honor.
Hawks
Hawks legend Dominique Wilkins seems to have high hopes for rookie forward Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. But Wilkins is also preaching patience.
“He’s young, man. I mean how old is this kid, 19?” Wilkins said on the All The Smoke podcast. “He’s skilled, but you’ve got to be able to give him time. Give him time, he’s going to be just fine, believe me, he’s going to be just fine.”
- In case you missed it, Wilkins also indicated he didn’t like how players of today will compare themselves to eras of the past. “Don’t use the past to elevate yourself,” he said. We have that full story here.
Play-In Tournament
So, have you thought about who might make the play-in tournament in each conference? Probably not, but these are the types of things on our minds here at Hoops Wire during football season.
Entering the season, the most likely candidates in the East seem to be the Heat, Hawks, Bulls, and Hornets. I doubt the Wizards qualify. The Pistons could be a sleeper. The Nets and Raptors? Meh. Unlikely.
In the West, things are so close it’s hard to know who might finish with seeds Nos. 1-6. But I suspect the Rockets and Grizzlies are two non-playoff teams from last season that could be in the mix. Same goes for Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
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