Aug. 9, 2004, 10:45AM

Rockets sign point guard Charlie Ward
By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The Rockets today filled their void at point guard with the signing of free agents Charlie Ward and Bob Sura.

Since the trade of Steve Francis to Orlando and the Tracy McGrady deal, the Rockets have been shopping for a starting point guard.

Today they got two of them. Ward and Sura will compete with veteran Tyrone Lue, who was also aquired from Orlando, for playing time.

The Rockets made inquiries about a number of other guards including Brent Barry and Derek Fisher.

In Ward, they are getting a near perect (perect? Marc) extension of coach Jeff Van Gundy. Ward played for Van Gundy with the New York Knicks, and the coach has long held him in high regard.

Charlie Ward? I hope he was cheap. I do like the Bob Sura pickup though. I would rather have had Brent Barry or Troy Hudson though. -Marc
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