The Houston Rockets: More Than Just Threes and Free Throws
By Andy Liu
Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
We wonder if the Philadelphia Sixers are playing their young players in order to develop them or simply to lose games. While the answer might be a little bit of both, the Houston Rockets have shown off an entirely different way to rebuild a team — with an excellent system in scouting and nurturing talent.
While some might think the Rockets lucked into two superstars, the quality of play from its role players, who have been forced into action, has been impressive. As the early season has worn on, the Rockets had built-in excuses to struggle out of the gate. From Chandler Parsons’ departure, a worrisome and sustained rash of injuries, and the comically brutal Western Conference, how much can this team accomplish?
At 13-4 going into Tuesday’s games, the Rockets have not only stayed afloat but found ubiquitous short and long-term solutions.
Isaiah Canaan
The Rockets’ D-League system is famous for setting world records in pace and three-point shooting. When Troy Daniels shocked the world in nailing the game-winner against the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoffs, the breeding of shooters immediately came to mind. But the more versatile guard rising through the system is Isaiah Canaan, who can shoot off screens and handle the ball.
Canaan averaged 8.7 threes per contest in the D-League and a little over eight assists to three turnovers. Most of the numbers are pace-inflated. It just doesn’t matter when they’re grooming the young guns to play that fast in the big leagues. With Jason Terry past his prime, Patrick Beverley fighting a hamstring issue, and no other notable contenders in sight, it’s up to Canaan (himself out a few more days with an ankle sprain) to give the Rockets what Beverley did.
It isn’t to say either are stars but it appears Canaan has the shooting and handle to supplement the team just fine.
Tarik Black
Filling in for Dwight Howard is impossible but Tarik Black has been serviceable in his absence. More famous for saying no to Aaron Rodgers, Black has been physical on defense and a non-Kendrick Perkins entity on offense. He has a bit of trouble finishing at the rim, only converting at a 52.8 percent rate overall. But he’s in the lineup for his ability to move centers and clear the glass. That, he can do quite well. The Rockets can live with the lack of offense at the five-spot as long as they can get enough from the two guys below.
Kostas Papanikolaou
While the Rockets have struggled to the ninth worst offensive rating in the NBA, they’ve shockingly shot up to the second stingiest defense. Much of this has been due to Dwight Howard’s health and Trevor Ariza’s non-Parsons ability to actually remain aware off the ball. But Papanikolaou has been a pleasant surprise as well. His defensive instincts are superb, especially considering he’s in his first season in the NBA. 82games.com charts top five-man units for every team and it’s noteworthy that Papanikolaou comes up in the first eight.
Papanikolaou knows he doesn’t have to stick on Al Farouq Aminu, a career 29 percent three-point shooter, so he cheats into the paint. When Tyson Chandler goes up for the lob, he sneaks in just enough of an off-hand shove to get him out of rhythm. Then he even has the presence of mind to tap the ball to start the fastbreak.
The offense and shooting isn’t there yet for Papa but the suddenly stingy Rockets defense is due to superb scouting from the Rockets who traded for him in the Thomas Robinson deal.
Donatas Motiejunas
It has taken Motiejunas a couple years but he’s somewhat arrived as an athletic four/five that can handle and space the floor. That’s what made Terrence Jones a breakout player before he succumbed to a nerve issue in his left leg that looks to keep him out for a long time.
In Summer League, a place where he knew that he was the best player on the team, Motiejunas proceeded to do just about anything. He came downcourt after a rebound and flicked a behind-the-back pass about five rows into the stands. This is obviously a point to his ingenuity on the court. The execution might not be there at times but he does frisky guard things that big men aren’t accustomed to learning or trying.
The Rockets can get away with Motiejunas at the five in small doses because he has a strong dribble when he knows where he is going. He has good vision in traffic, which bodes well for a team that can bomb away with its plethora of shooters.
There aren’t many moves in his arsenal but he only needs one. Motiejunas has a quick lefty and righty hook that is hard to defend with his seven-foot wingspan. While Black and Canaan are more short-term plug-ins, Motiejunas might need to play a larger role the rest of the season. I believe him and Papanikolaou are good enough to remain staples of the Rockets rotation.
The jokes rained on Daryl Morey all summer long when he lost Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin for nothing but we shouldn’t forget that his organization is damned good at developing talent, too.