A day after the Rockets looked to the future, the players reconvened trying to focus on the games left this season.
To them, the view looked even worse than before Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks were traded Thursday.
Kevin Martin called the news of the trades “a sad day for our organization.” Kyle Lowry said it was “upsetting” and “I wish they didn’t do it.” Chase Budinger was “saddened.” Courtney Lee said it was “difficult” and “it hurts our team somewhat.”
As Chuck Hayes put it, “It sucks.”
A day after Battier and Ish Smith were sent to Memphis for Hasheem Thabeet and DeMarre Carroll and Aaron Brooks was dealt to Phoenix for Goran Dragic, the Rockets face the New Jersey Nets tonight having fallen far short of the Nets’ jubilation after their acquisition of guard Deron Williams.
Even Rockets coach Rick Adelman described his reaction to the deals as disappointment.
“I’m disappointed losing two guys that meant a lot to our success,” Adleman said. “The challenge is still the same, trying to win games down the stretch here. Different guys will have a chance to step up.”
When asked how the team goes from making deals based on future seasons one day to focusing on this season’s games the next, Adelman seemed to separate himself from the decisions.
“You’ll have to ask the powers to be about that,” Adelman said. “My job is still the same. Before the trading deadline we were trying to win games, get back in the hunt. To me, it’s the same challenge. I can care less what other people are thinking. Whatever the reasons were, you have to move past that and take up the challenge.”
No steps backward
The Rockets, 11th in the West and four games out of a playoff spot, cannot afford a trade-deadline hangover.
“Coach said it; we can’t take steps back,” Lowry said. “We have to make a push. I’m not giving up on this year. I don’t think anyone in this gym or on this team is going to give up on this year. Whatever future decisions were made, that’s for the future. Right now, I want to make the playoffs, still.”
With that in mind, Adelman said Chase Budinger would replace Battier in the starting lineup at forward and indicated guard/forward Terrence Williams would move into the rotation.
Hayes and Lowry said they would take on his leadership role. He said he expected Dragic to immediately become the backup point guard.
“All I know is guys are going to have chances to do things that maybe they weren’t,” Adelman said. “We’ll find out about Terrence. We’ll find out what Chase can do starting. I’ll just go from there. Everybody has an opportunity they didn’t have before when you lose two of your top six players.”
Budinger moves into the starting lineup after scoring a career-high 30 points, matching his career high with eight rebounds, Wednesday in Cleveland, a performance he said provides confidence for his new role.
“Hopefully, I can carry over that game to the next one,” Budinger said. “I know when I’m aggressive and attacking the rim, I’m a better player.
“It’s a great opportunity for me. I’m not going to change the way I play. I know I’m going to get more minutes out there. That’s how the NBA works. Guys get injured. Trades happen. And opportunity happens. You have to make the most out of it.”
The adjustment will likely be much greater for Williams, no matter his role. Williams has played in just six games since being acquired from the Nets on Dec. 15 and was becoming increasingly and visibly frustrated. He had said he expected to be traded or to have an opportunity after the deadline, though he, too, was effusive in his praise of Brooks, a friend since childhood, and Battier.
“I know how to play basketball,” Williams said. “I think that’s why I’m here. It’s nothing new. I’m not going to be nervous if there is opportunity. I should be all right.”
‘Focusing on basketball’
But the Rockets do not know if they will be. Tonight, they begin to find out with time running out on the season.
“We lost two quality starters, and we’re replacing them with backups, so who knows?” Martin said. “Other guys are going to have to step up and see what kind of production we get from them.
“We know this is the team we have right now. All the trade talk is over. We can go back to focusing on basketball and I think guys are ready for that.”
jonathan.feigen@chron.com
