LOS ANGELES — Rockets owner Leslie Alexander took a seat on the side of the court at UCLA's Student Activities Center hours before the season would begin against the Lakers, happy to check out his team again.
He had been at other practices early in training camp, but on Wednesday, he was able to get a first-hand look at the Rockets' retooled roster and a sense of the harmony, in contrast to the persistent dysfunction of a season ago, that has driven so much of the discussion about his team.
"I think we have a great group of guys," he said, starting his list of reasons for optimism.