ICYMI, Rockets landed 3rd pick in 2024 NBA draft. Stone: “Generally, the top few picks are 18- and 19-year-old guys. It’s unfair to the players to say they will or will not be anything. But there are really talented guys in this draft.” houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

NBA mock draft: Whom could the Houston Rockets pick in the first round? houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

Draft or trade? Rockets have wide range of options with 3rd pick in Draft. Stone: “The possibility of adding another young talented player in the draft or through a trade … we’re excited about that. There’s a lot of work to be done.” houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

Draft lottery story updated with Rafael Stone's comments about the draft and his thoughts about the lottery luck.

As mentioned in the story, Stone was in the air (on flight back from scouting in France.) WiFi cut out so he did not initially know lottery results, but knew something was up from text messages. Stone: 'I think the top of this draft is pretty strong.' Said like 2, 3 years ago.

Story updated with a few more details, including the good luck charm that made its debut and apparently worked. (Check back this evening for Rafael Stone's reaction, thoughts.)

Houston Rockets beat the odds, land third overall pick in 2024 NBA draft houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

Rockets jump to the top four with the Nets' pick, a reminder of why they insisted on as many unprotected picks as they could get in the James Harden trade. Had a 20.3% chance to make this jump.

In case the Rockets do keep and use their pick(s), a look at NBA draft prospects to watch for Rockets at top and bottom of lottery houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

ICYMI, Rockets start the day with a couple picks. They keep their own pick if it jumps from 12 and into top 4 (just a 7.1% chance of that) and the Nets pick. But they will seek lottery luck with eye on trading pick for future assets houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

Lottery day for fun and prizes. Not often on a Sunday. Has been a prime-time game show in recent years. But not always. The Rockets' Yao Ming win was on a Sunday afternoon.

Thirty years ago today, the Rockets blew a 20-point lead at home against the Suns in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, leading to the Houston Chronicle's famous 'CHOKE CITY' headline. Here's the oral history of how that headline came to be.
houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n…

NBA draft prospects to watch for Rockets at top and bottom of lottery houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

ICYMI, Rockets hope to move up in the NBA draft lottery is not the only move they would like to make with their pick houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… via @houstonchron

Houston Rockets enter NBA draft lottery with an eye on trading their pick for future assets trib.al/JXzXtja

.Greg Rajan How the Houston Rockets have fared in NBA draft lotteries houstonchronicle.com/projects/2024/…

NHL's Gary Bettman: Tilman Fertitta isn't alone in expressing interest in bringing team to Houston trib.al/OkypMAM

Wrote after 1st round about Chris Finch extolling importance of finding an 'identity' and how the Timberwolves needed all last season to get it. (Mixed in some Rockets references.) houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-n… This defense, toughness tonight is demonstrating what he was talking about.

Resplendent.

An official I knew back in the day called those 'gotcha calls' that he criticized a fellow official for making. They might be correct but don't need to be and should not be called.