LAS VEGAS -- The Houston Rockets spent nearly $135 million in free agency, highlighted by the signing of power forward Ryan Anderson, a player the team sought for years in trade proposals and free agency. Next was shting guard Eric Gordon, whom the team was also interested in for some time. And third was Nene Hilario, a veteran center who will help bolster the bench. Of course, the Rockets concluded their summer moves with the signing James Harden to a contract extension worth $118.1 million.Essentially, the Rockets feel they improved their team this summer -- even without retaining center Dwight Howard -- with the goal of making a deeper playoff run in the Western Conference. Heres how it all came together.Strikeout in AtlantaIt was just after midnight on July 1 when Rockets general manager Daryl Morey got to work. Morey, along with a contingent of team officials, including owner Leslie Alexander, CEO Tad Brown, executive vice president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas, coach Mike DAntoni and franchise legends Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler, met at the Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta to make their pitches to prospective free agents.We didnt have a great year last year, Alexander said, referring to their 41-41 season and first-round playoff exit. We still made the playoffs, but it didnt end well. We needed new bld and guys who are passionate about the game.Houstons first scheduled meeting when free agency started was with center/power forward Al Horford. Horford was the Rockets top candidate to replace free agent Howard, who was moving on after three lackluster years in Houston and had his own meetings scheduled with teams in another part of Atlanta, his hometown.With the Rockets in the midtown section of the city getting ready for a meeting with Horford, Morey ran into the representatives of free agent small forward Kent Bazemore.Morey convinced Bazemores camp to schedule a late-night meeting with them, explaining his teams need for a wing who can defend and score.Bazemore said he enjoyed his meeting with the Rockets -- they offered a four-year, $72 million deal -- but he wanted to talk with other teams before making a decision.While the Rockets waited on Bazemore, Morey and his group met with Horford. When the big man walked into one of the luxury suites at the Four Seasons, his eyes lit up when he met Olajuwon, according to those involved in the meeting.The Rockets Hall of Fame center talks in a raspy voice and often greets people with a Hello, my brother. He talked to Horford about the benefits of working with the owner and team that molded him and the city that embraced him. Horford was overwhelmed by Olajuwons presence.But within the first 48 hours of free agency, the Rockets struck out. Bazemore would agree to terms with the Atlanta Hawks and Horford would pick the Boston Celtics. A person familiar with the discussions between Bazemore and the Rockets said in a text message the deal was so close to happening.Howard, meanwhile, also decided to decided to join his hometown Hawks. The Rockets moved on -- this time to California.Closing the dealsWhile other teams were lining up free-agent agreements, the Rockets group flew to Los Angeles. On July 2, the Rockets visited Andersons home in Hermosa Beach. After a nearly two-hour afternn meeting with Anderson and his representatives, led by agent Jeff Austin, the Rockets got their man, agreeing to a four-year, $80 million deal. Anderson then called Gordon, his former teammate from New Orleans.He was the first guy I called when I made the commitment to Houston, Anderson said later. I wanted him to come along. You make a decision thats life-changing and career-changing, and Eric is the first guy I called. I dont know how I sounded. I was outside myself. I love Eric. Eric is a great guy.Houstons party, which then included Harden, then moved on from the beach to meet with Gordon and his agent, Rob Pelinka -- who also represents Harden -- in his Los Angeles office.Morey pitched new coach Mike DAntonis offensive system and how Gordon and Anderson would fit with Harden in a point guard role. The Rockets showed videos of how Harden could take on a role similar to that of former Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash in a revamped offense.Morey wanted to convince Gordon that while Harden is noted for his scoring, hes also a fantastic passer. Harden finished sixth in the NBA with an average of 18 points a game created by assists, the highest among shting guards. He also finished sixth in potential assists at 14.3.The system appealed to Anderson, who said he didnt get enough open lks in New Orleans, something that someone with his skill set would need to succeed in Houston. Also, when defenses attack Harden, his ability to make clear passes should help someone like Gordon, who can sht from the outside and create opportunities off the dribble.I got a little bit of Nash in me, Harden said later of the Rockets sales pitch. He had his own pace to the game; thats what I tk out of that. You could never speed him up, you could never make him do anything he didnt want to do, thats what separated him from any other point guard at the time, which led to two MVPs.Gordon and the Rockets agreed to four-year, $53 million contract that night, and in the course of one day, the Rockets added two players who appeared to fit their system.The team later failed in its attempt to make a deal with Orlando restricted free-agent center Dewayne Dedmon, and after Kevin Durant agreed to terms with the Golden State Warriors, the Rockets fell short in their bid to trade for Andrew Bogut.A couple of days later, Houston agreed to terms with Hilario on a one-year, $2.8 million contract to become the backup center behind Clint Capela.All that was left was to take care of Harden.The extensionMorey approached Pelinka in November 2015 and said a contract extension for Harden was in order. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the Rockets couldnt finalize any extension with Harden until July 1. While the Rockets started homing in on free agents, Morey also went after Harden. A bond had developed between Harden and the organization, and Morey was confident they could reach an agreement.Houston had hoped to sign Durant, capitalizing on his close relationship with Harden as a selling point. Durant and Harden worked out together for nearly a week in Phoenix this offseason. Durant, according to those who were briefed on the conversations, told Harden he wasnt going to sign with the Rockets, narrowing his choices between Oklahoma City and Golden State, and giving Boston an outside chance. Durant was open to meeting with the Rockets regardless, but Harden told the Rockets about Durants decision, and Morey and the front office moved on.Harden said Durants decision didnt bother him, but you could tell in Hardens comments that having his own super team wasnt his motivation.My focus is on the Houston Rockets and how we can get better, Harden said. The Warriors are a really gd team. Alexander then chimed in, They have to defend us also.The fact Harden agreed to an extension was somewhat of a surprise, given how several other superstar players opted out of contracts or allowed their contracts to end and explore the market. Alexander said it was a no-brainer to ink Harden long-term deal as the face of the franchise.After the news conference announcing the Anderson and Gordon deals, Hardens mother walked into the media area. It surprised reporters who thought Harden was just there to comment on the Rockets free agent acquisitions. But Alexander announced Harden had signed a contract extension.So there is no indecision, no doubt in anybodys mind, Harden said. Now we have to focus on how can we improve. Last year was very stressful for all of us theres some new life here with coach [DAntonio] coming in.This summer we want to build a strong team and go to bat every single night.Hardens contract ends after the 2019-20 season, but the Rockets dont plan to let him leave. The goal is to take care of Harden so he doesnt hit free agency. Hardens contract is also structured so the team can still make moves for other prospective free agents in years to come, which is something Harden has said he agreed on.In the days leading up to that news conference announcing Houstons free-agent signings and Hardens extension, there was a large sign on the adjacent garage to the Toyota Center with the headline Legacy of Bigs. Yao Ming, Elvin Hayes, Olajuwon and Howard were on the sign. Construction workers were removing it, marking the end of the Howard era in Houston after three seasons in which he helped the team reach the Western Conference finals in 2015, but also fell out of favor with Harden and the front office.Now it was time for a new sign. A sign that this is Hardens team.You just feel it sometimes, Harden said. You got that feeling where everything feels comfortable. You feel love. You feel like people want you to be here and that feeling right there outweighs everything. The ultimate decision was to stay and make sure we get it done. Discount Nike Shoes Uk . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. Nike Shoes Outlet Uk Online . -- Cam Newton pranced into the end zone, placed his hands over his chest and did his familiar Superman pose. http://www.discountnikeshoesuk.com/ .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. Cheap Nike Shoes Online . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they lked comfortable. Nike Shoes Cheap Uk Sale .ca. Kerry, Just watched the shtout in the Coyotes/Leafs game and I have to ask, why was the James van Riemsdyk goal allowed to count? All of the video replays we were shown on TV were inconclusive about whether the puck had entirely crossed the line or not.Charlie Nicholas has labelled his former club Celtic as stale and says they have regressed while rivals Rangers have taken big strides forward this season. Ronny Deilas side lead Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership by eight points but suffered their second cup semi-final defeat this season on Sunday, losing 5-4 on penalties to Rangers following a 2-2 draw after extra time.Nicholas, who had two spells with the club in the 1980s and 1990s, says changes need to be made in the wake of their Scottish Cup exit but thinks the problems go beyond under-fire manager Deila. Nicholas expects Ronny Deila to leave Celtic this summer I said before kick-off there would be no excuse for Celtic if they didnt take care of Rangers, Nicholas told Sky Sports News HQ. Whether Rangers are on the up, which they are, or because they are a gd passing team, which they are, it had no relevance to Celtic.The consequences to Celtic today and from now on are gigantic but Rangers have taken a big jump forward and Celtic have gone a big step back. Celtic owner Dermot Desmond (middle) with chairman Ian Bankier (right) and chief executive Peter Lawwell at Hampden It goes much further [than Deila]. It has been brewing since Rangers left the [top] league. Celtic got cocky and now they are a stale ftball club. The owner [Dermot Desmond] is stale, we very rarely see him here, we dont know if he is making big decisions anymore. [Chief executive] Peter Lawwell is in charge of recruitment when it should be the manager.Nicholas was full of praise for Rangers and manager Mark Warburton following their semi-final triumph and said they were the better team at Hampden. Deila on the brink Celtic manager Ronny Deila is on the brink of losing his job, says Andy Walker I think everybody was saying it would take a bit of time for Rangers to catch up but you have to give Mark Warburton credit. The work he has done in a short space of time, how they pass the ball, how they move the ball, quite a few young players.Its a very exciting time for Rangers who have been under a black cloud for such a long time. Now they have moved on to Celtic and not only have they said weve caught you up but lk forward to next season now as well. Rangers secured a place in the final of the Scottish Cup with a 5-4 penalty shtout victory over Celtic at Hampden Park I thought they were the best team in control of the ball, they worked hard without the ball.dddddddddddd When they had it they were comfortable.I was listening to the Sky Sports panel yesterday and Neil Lennon was saying it, Rangers were playing the Celtic passing game that Celtic now under Ronny Deila should be playing. They never lked comfortable on the ball, they never lked together when they didnt have the ball. They defended badly, bad decision making. Nicholas praised Rangers manager Mark Warburton and his team Nicholas thinks Celtic will part company with their manager in the summer but says Deila must remain in charge until the end of the season so there is no disruption to their title bid.[Gordon] Strachan came in and had to slash the budget and was very successful, he said. Neil Lennon came in and had a tight budget but was successful. Deila has come in, and he has to take his responsibilities, I dont think Ronny was the right man at the time, I still expect him to win the league. Celtic boss Ronny Deila says their performance was not at the level he expects after they lost to Rangers I dont think he has been strong enough to stand up against it and say I dont want the players you are giving me, I want better players than that. They spent £6m on two centre-backs. Why not spend £6m on a couple of exciting, attack-minded players?But they go to Dundee United, they buy someone for £750,000 or £1m. They have gone down the cheap and cheerful route - and now it is not cheerful anymore.If he wins the title he might think that is enough to keep him in a job but Celtic are expected to win the title so I think in the summer there will be a change but, then again, the type of managers who always get linked with it - they talked about David Moyes, Malky Mackay, Roy Keane - they tried to get him and couldnt convince him. Celtics Patrick Roberts reacts after a missed shot Celtic have to change their policy, they have to get a manager who becomes a ftballing manager who has got control of the ftball team, who can bring in players. You dont let accountants and scouts go and do that job for you. They have to change, they are t stale and if they stay stale they will struggle to get a top name manager. Also See: Rangers beat rivals Celtic King in tears after Gers win Gordon admits penalty mischief Deila silent on future ' ' '