Welcome to Houston!

Rockets introduce Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger

Jason Friedman
Rockets.com Staff Writer

Houston - Less than 24 hours after securing the rights to three players in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Rockets welcomed two of their new additions to Houston today. Jermaine Taylor and Chase Budinger arrived in town Friday morning (the Rockets’ other draft day acquisition, Sergio Llull, will remain overseas with his club team in Spain for now) and met with the media hours later to share their thoughts on their new team, new roles and new home.

As expected, both players expressed their excitement regarding the prospect of having the opportunity to display their skills at the NBA level, while acknowledging the challenge they face to crack a crowded Rockets’ roster which was good enough to extend the newly-crowned champions from Los Angeles to seven games during the second round of the NBA playoffs.

“It’s just like starting all over again,” said Taylor, who averaged more than 26 points per game during his senior season at the University of Central Florida. “It’s like when I was a freshman in college. No one knew anything about me and they really didn’t care. You have to work your way up and show people what you can do, and that’s just what I’m going to do – go out there and give everything I’ve got.

“The Rockets got a player who’s going to work hard. I’m going to work as hard as I can in practice, go in and do what the coaches are asking. I’ve got a scorer’s mentality; I know how to put the ball in the hoop. I’ve always been the focal guy on every team I’ve played for, and now I’ll have guys like Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady playing along side me to draw so much attention, so now I’m going to get open shots and be able to create for others. So I’m real excited to be here and anxious to get started.”

Budinger also believes he can contribute right away, especially as a dead-eye shooter who can help space the floor for Houston’s other offensive weapons.

“I feel that my all-around game can really help this team,” said the University of Arizona-product, who scored 18 points per game while draining nearly 40 percent of his shots from beyond the arc in ’08-09. “I’m a smart player, I can shoot the ball well, I can pass and be a playmaker for others. But first and foremost, I can really knock down my jumpshot, so when Yao is double-teamed and Aaron Brooks attacks the basket I can be their spot-up shooter and hit three-pointers.”

Both players will get an opportunity to showcase their skills on the Rockets’ summer league roster, when play begins July 10 in Las Vegas. Clearly their work is cut out for them in terms of translating their potential into actual production, but General Manager Daryl Morey is confident they have the necessary attributes to make a name for themselves in the NBA.

“We really like what both these guys are going to bring to us,” said Morey. “Both can shoot the ball, play up-tempo, attack the basket and pass. This is a obviously a good team and they’re going to have to fight their way to get on the court, but we like their talent and we like their drive to succeed.”

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