The Rockets got down to their league mandated 15 man roster Monday by waiving Center Jackie Butler, Guard John Lucas, Forward Justin Reed and Guard Bob Sura. Little Luke got caught up in a numbers game after averaging only 3 opints a game this pre-season.

Reed was part of the Mike James deal. Butler was a throw-in as part of the deal that brought Luis Scola over from the Spurs and Bob Sura hadn't played the past two seasons after suffering a ruptured disc in his back in November of 2005.

Okay ...that takes care of all the roster moves ....but what about Stevie Franchise?? And how come he now longer is The Franchise?

Stevie voiced his frustration with head coach Rick Adelman over the weekend ...saying he wasn't happy not being in the rotation ....but today at practice ....Adelman said simply,"Steve has had his chances ... he's just not playing as well as the other point guards."

Adelman said after today's practice that he too thought Rafer Alston may be the odd-man-out this season ..... but the fact is Adelman says Alston has been great ...."practice in ....and practice out." When I asked him what set Alston apart .... Adelman quite simply ... "Rafer makes great cuts in the offense. He makes his shots in the offense ...and he runs things better than anyone else."

When Tracy McGrady was asked about the situation he said,"Oh yeh ... Rafer is by far playing better than any other point guard. He's the best fit at that position ....he 's playing it the best and he's just focused ... ready to play." McGrady also admitted that he was afraid Rafer was on his way out .... at the start of training camp. But now Alston has proven him wrong. "I've been more impressed with him this year than I've ever been," McGrady said.

When asked about Francis, Tracy said,"I know it's tough ... especially what he's been through the past couple of years. I'm just gonna try to keep talking to him and urging him to keep a level head."

Only time will tell how Stevie handles this situation because he was so excited to come back to Houston ....buthe doesn't want to waste away on the bench. One thing Adelman did admit today however is that it'll be tough for Francis to find playing time. Adelman told me his rotation is set ......and Francis is not among the regulars.
Stay tuned!!

HOUSTON - Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey announced today that the team has waived C/F Jackie Butler, G John Lucas, F Justin Reed and G Bob Sura.

Butler was released after playing in three preseason games with averages of 2.3 points, 0.33 blocks and 1.0 rebounds. Butler was originally acquired by the Rockets on July 12, 2007, in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs that included the draft rights to Luis Scola in exchange for Vassilis Spanoulis.

Lucas, who originally signed with Houston on Dec. 29, 2005, after the Rockets received a special exception from the NBA due to injuries, played in 60 regular season games over the past two seasons while averaging 3.1 points, 0.8 assists and 0.7 rebounds per contest. Lucas saw action in four preseason games this year and posted averages of 2.8 points, 1.5 assists and 1.3 rebounds in 30 minutes of action.

Reed was acquired by the Rockets on June 14, 2007, along with Mike James, in a trade that sent Juwan Howard to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Reed posted averages of 6.0 points and 1.7 rebounds in three preseason appearances.

Sura signed with the Rockets on Aug. 9, 2004, but missed all of the past two seasons after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his back (11/22/05) and an arthroscopic procedure to remove loose particles in his right knee (9/29/05). Sura played in 61 regular season games (59 starts) and averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds during the 2004-05 season.

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