--Ron Artest has often said he hoped to return to the Rockets next season, but he could not have made his intentions any more clear than after his first season in Houston was over.
Asked if he wanted to be back with the Rockets he said, "Yes, God willing. It's not up to me." If that was not clear enough, he was asked again if his preference was to return if things work out in contract negotiations.
"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," Artest said. "That is yes. I just know this team was so good, I think we'll grow together."
The Rockets had acquired Artest at least in part thinking it would be an experiment. They seemed to have seen enough in the one season.
"He has a desire to come back," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "We have a desire to make it work. That's step one with a lot of steps from here."
--Rockets guard Von Wafer headed into free agency hoping to have finally found a home. The Rockets were his fifth team in four NBA seasons, but again, he said he hoped to be done seeking a new home, preferring to stick with the Rockets.
"I hope I'll be back," Wafer said. "I love Houston, I love this organization. They gave me a chance, so I'd love to be back."
Wafer had by far his most productive NBA season, averaging 9.7 points (his previous best was an average of 1.7 points) on 44.7 percent shooting. He averaged 8.2 points on 42.4 percent shooting in the post-season.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Good Lord, we were ecstatic to be here, pushing the Lakers to Game 7 short-handed, so I have nothing but pride. It would have been better if we played better and had a better showing, but we were running on fumes." -- Shane Battier
