Rockets' payroll near top 5

HOUSTON, TX -- In the last few days, the Rockets have matched a four-year, $24 M deal to re-sign guard Kyle Lowry; signed forward Luis Scola to a five-year, $47 M contract; and signed center Brad Miller to a three-year, $15 M contract. Without those three first-year salaries being included, the Rockets payroll for the 2010 - 2011 season was already $57 M.

During Brad Miller's press conference today, Houston Rockets' General Manager, Daryl Morey was rather candid regarding the team's payroll spending and the goal to make the 2010 - 2011 season a very special one for the fans.

"Brad's a great player. The whole staff wanted to get him here; but, I think it was really Brad and Coach Adelman -- that relationship was really important.

"Then, getting Mr. Alexander (Rockets' owner Leslie Alexander) to really invest in the team and spend more on the team, by a huge margin, than he ever has. I think we're going to be near top 5 in payroll in the league -- depending on how it goes.

"I think with a lot of key guys like Shane Battier and Yao Ming and a lot of key guys on our team; and, with the lockout next year, we're trying to make this a very special year and go as far in the playoffs as we can. We feel like if we can all be focused like Brad; and, just worry about the team and nothing personal, we feel like we're going to have a very good year."