BigGameDamian
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http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2013/11/omer-asik-asks-rockets-to-trade-him/
NEW YORK — With his starting job gone and his playing time slashed, Rockets center Omer Asik has asked to be traded, two individuals with knowledge of the request said Thursday.
Asik, who started every game after signing with the Rockets last season, came off the bench Wednesday in Philadelphia, but struggled. He played only four minutes and not at all in the second half. Asik has made his trade request within the past 48 hours, a person familiar with the conversations said.
The Rockets have no trade involving Asik in the works, with one individual saying a deal is more likely in months than in days.
Asik declined comment, referring questions to his agent, Andy Miller. Miller also would not comment on any trade request.
“I would say the situation is very frustrating right now and were trying to work through it,” Miller said. “For Omer, the objective has always been to continue to develop and grow as a player. That’s why we came to Houston in the first place. If that objective can’t be met, if we can’t get the right platform to grow and contribute as a player, it’s certainly frustrating.”
Asik, who has the longest streak of consecutive regular-season games played in the NBA, averaging 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds last season. He is averaging just 5.6 points and 8.1 rebounds this season, with his playing time reduced to an average of just 22.7 minutes per game.
Second-year forward Terrence Jones replaced Asik to start the second half Monday against Toronto and started again on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Rockets coach Kevin McHale said the switch was largely about matchups, but in the second half against the 76ers, Jones returned to the game instead of Asik when Dwight Howard went out in the fourth quarter.
“I think the way they play and spread guys last night with Spencer Hawes and tonight with (Andrea) Bargnani and Carmelo (Anthony), it’s just a better matchup for us,” McHale said. “Last night, when they backed up, they went smaller, put Lavoy Allen in, another guy who stayed out so we went smaller, too.
“I liked a lot of stuff he and Dwight did together. They were big. They protected the rim. It’s going to be a lot of matchups, a lot how things work. He’s going to have to get out there and play. Will he start against some bigger teams? Possibly.”
At this point, however, Asik would rather start for someone else.
NEW YORK — With his starting job gone and his playing time slashed, Rockets center Omer Asik has asked to be traded, two individuals with knowledge of the request said Thursday.
Asik, who started every game after signing with the Rockets last season, came off the bench Wednesday in Philadelphia, but struggled. He played only four minutes and not at all in the second half. Asik has made his trade request within the past 48 hours, a person familiar with the conversations said.
The Rockets have no trade involving Asik in the works, with one individual saying a deal is more likely in months than in days.
Asik declined comment, referring questions to his agent, Andy Miller. Miller also would not comment on any trade request.
“I would say the situation is very frustrating right now and were trying to work through it,” Miller said. “For Omer, the objective has always been to continue to develop and grow as a player. That’s why we came to Houston in the first place. If that objective can’t be met, if we can’t get the right platform to grow and contribute as a player, it’s certainly frustrating.”
Asik, who has the longest streak of consecutive regular-season games played in the NBA, averaging 10.1 points and 11.7 rebounds last season. He is averaging just 5.6 points and 8.1 rebounds this season, with his playing time reduced to an average of just 22.7 minutes per game.
Second-year forward Terrence Jones replaced Asik to start the second half Monday against Toronto and started again on Wednesday in Philadelphia. Rockets coach Kevin McHale said the switch was largely about matchups, but in the second half against the 76ers, Jones returned to the game instead of Asik when Dwight Howard went out in the fourth quarter.
“I think the way they play and spread guys last night with Spencer Hawes and tonight with (Andrea) Bargnani and Carmelo (Anthony), it’s just a better matchup for us,” McHale said. “Last night, when they backed up, they went smaller, put Lavoy Allen in, another guy who stayed out so we went smaller, too.
“I liked a lot of stuff he and Dwight did together. They were big. They protected the rim. It’s going to be a lot of matchups, a lot how things work. He’s going to have to get out there and play. Will he start against some bigger teams? Possibly.”
At this point, however, Asik would rather start for someone else.
