Frustrated Omer Asik Says He’s Ready to Help the Rockets Win


After re-joining his teammates (and asking for their forgiveness), Omer Asik admitted that he was frustrated with his reduced role in Houston, but now says that he’s ready to be a good soldier for the Rockets. Per the Houston Chronicle: “The thing is, I was just frustrated,’ Asik said at Tuesday’s shootaround. ‘It’s behind me now. I’m just looking forward to help my team to win.’ Asik did not address his trade request or his unwillingness to play or practice last week. When asked if he still wanted to be traded, Asik would not comment. ‘I do not talk about that,’ he said. ‘I never talk about that. My focus is just winning tonight’s game (against the Celtics) and helping my team as much as I can.’ Asik was replaced in the Rockets’ starting lineup last Wednesday in Philadelphia, playing just four first-half minutes that night. At the team’s daily meeting the next day, he said he was not ready to play that night against the Knicks. He was held out of that game and did not attend Saturday’s shootaround or game against the Nuggets in Houston. He returned to practice on Monday. Asik would not say if he was ‘frustrated’ with the lineup change, playing so little in Philadelphia or the diminished role whether coming off the bench or starting since the Rockets’ July acquisition of Dwight Howard. ‘I really don’t want to talk about any specific things,’ Asik said. ‘It’s behind me now. That’s all I can say.’ Howard said on Monday that Asik apologized to the team. Teammates had been speaking with Asik since Thursday’s meeting in New York.”