http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Van_Gundy_Welcomes_Amaechi_Ja-85412-34.html Rockets players with under four years of NBA experience reported for the second official day of training camp Wednesday under the tutelage of Jeff Van Gundy and staff. While the team did hold a light workout, the big news buzzing around camp today was the acquisition of NBA journeyman Jim Jackson, who played with the Sacramento Kings last season, and Utah Jazz forward-center John Amaechi. Amaechi was acquired Tuesday in a deal that sent sharpshooter Glen Rice to Utah. Trading Rice gave the Rockets cap room to sign Jackson, who many viewed as the best free agent that was still available. "He’s (Jackson) a pretty solid all around player," said Van Gundy. "I like that he got with a winning situation last year. This will be the first year in a while that he’s been on a team with a multi-year contract, so hopefully now he won’t consider himself a mercenary or a one-year player." The Rockets will miss the services of Rice, a classy veteran who has battled numerous injuries over the past few years. Eric Piatkowski should now see more game action on the perimeter with Rice out of the fold. "He made a concerted effort to turn back the clock and get himself in terrific shape, so wherever Glen is he’s going to have a good year," said Van Gundy. "Glen has been probably during his time, the premier long range shooter in the NBA, so there is no doubt losing him hurts us in that area. But you’re not going to make a trade where you win on every front. That trade was made more for many financial reasons, but then I thought we did well to go out and sign Jim Jackson." Amaechi In Amaechi, the Rockets get a low-post presence who did not fit well into Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan’s system. Amaechi was confined to the Jazz bench last season, but the Rockets think they can rekindle his talent and get Amaechi to be the kind of player he was with the Orlando Magic a couple of years ago. "He hasn’t played much lately, but when he was with Orlando he gave us of trouble because he was very mobile," said Van Gundy. "I was just saying how he beat us (the Knicks). Shot fake – drive left by (Patrick) Ewing four straight times. He’ll deny it. Bad help (he'll say)." "I didn’t have any help that day," said Rockets assistant Patrick Ewing. "Jeff brought that to my attention yesterday and of course I denied it. But he’s (Amaechi) is a part of our team now and we want him to do very well." --

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