The Rockets then were not happy with the schedule released this month, calling it "more adversity" because they will play far more back-to-backs (22) than the teams they play (17).

"A little more adversity," Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said. "We like adversity. We just got some more.

"The only thing we know is that back-to-backs matter. The rest sort of comes out in the wash. With back-to-backs, there is a number you have and the number opponents have. We added another challenge."

There might be another challenge. The Rockets have a six-week stretch in which they will play six one-game road trips, and have only two trips as long as four games. Without the longer trips to take up a larger portion of their road schedule, they will have six road trips of three or more games. Last season, NBA teams went 19-37 in the last game of trips three games or longer.

--The Rockets said they considered Jermaine Taylor worthy of a late first-round pick. It was not just talk. They signed him to a first-round style contract, guaranteed for the first two seasons with options for each of the next two years.

Taylor, acquired in the second round, struggled in Las Vegas, but was considered no less a part of the Rockets' plans.

"Now that I'm officially signed, it feels really good," Taylor said. "The people of Houston have shown me a lot of love, and I am happy to be there.

"I'm ready to get started," Taylor said. "With the injuries we have, this is an opportunity to come in and show people what I can do."

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We're continually vigilant to upgrade. We're at a somewhat stable point. We feel like we can be competitive. We're always looking for the next step." -- GM Daryl Morey.