On Thursday new Rockets rookies Donte Green and Joey Dorsey participated in the Rockets’ first scrimmage at Toyota Center before heading to Las Vegas for participation in the Vegas Summer League.

Aaron Brooks, last year’s VSL MVP, and Mike Harris also participated in the scrimmage.

Oh yeah, Maarty Leunen, a Rockets 2nd round pick, was also there. Leunen will probably play in Europe this coming season.

Click here for more photos from the scrimmage.

Following in his father’s (Rick) and brother’s (Jon) footsteps, Brent Barry said he will sign with the Rockets. That must be an NBA record. Here’s more info in the Chronicle article.

I think it’s a decent pickup, but it doesn’t put Houston over the hump. San Antonio isn’t dumb. If they thought Barry could help them, they would have made sure to sign him. That said, something tells me Barry is on his last legs. And I don’t think he has enough in the tank to provide enough scoring off the bench when Tracy McGrady gets a rest. I don’t think it will be rookie Donte Green, either. At least not this coming season.

One thing is for sure IMHO: Luther Head‘s days in Houston are over. Look for a deal that will package him and maybe Steve Novak.

I still like what Novak can do from behind the 3-point line long-term for the Rockets. Barry will be good for 2008-09 from behind the arc, but he’ll be 37 this time next year, and we all know that’s ancient in NBA years.

Here’s an interesting piece on Yi’s potential impact on the Nets:

“The Nets — who have learned that nothing recedes like success — may have stumbled onto something very appealing in Yi Jianlian, who may be able fill all those empty spaces at Izod Center, judging by what happened yesterday…”

Click here for the entire article.