“You can put him on a bunch of different people, switched and made it tough on (LaMelo) Ball early,” coach Ime Udoka said. “I think it was a whole team effort when you hold a team to 31 in the first half. Amen kind of spearheaded that. On both sides of the ball. He can guard one through five. We’re comfortable with that. Then, offensively, he’s played on ball at times as a backup point guard, or on the wing, and at the four last year. We can plug him into all those situations on both sides. It’s a luxury for sure.”
There’s more from Houston:
- Tari Eason has missed three straight games due to left lower leg injury management, but the Rockets don’t believe it’s a long-term concern, Feigen adds in a separate story. Eason is a valuable member of the bench unit, leading all NBA reserves in steals and ranking fourth in blocks. “He had some soreness come up in the same leg,” Udoka said. “So, just wanted to give him some days. Obviously, we had the time off (after) the in-season tournament. I think at times, being a little bit stagnant is worse than actually playing, and it stiffened up a little bit.”
- Cam Whitmore wasn’t discouraged after being sent to the G League early in the season, according to Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle. The second-year forward has been getting an opportunity with the Rockets since being recalled recently, scoring 11 points in 14 minutes on Sunday and 17 points in 27 minutes on Monday. “To go kill ’em,” he said of his approach to the G League. “Whatever’s in front of me, I’m gonna be lights out. I’m on assignment, so I’m just gonna go down there, I’m gonna keep grinding every day, keep getting better — better human being and a better basketball player.”
- Kelly Iko of The Athletic examines VanVleet’s prolonged shooting slump to determine why the veteran guard has been missing shots that he typically makes. A career 37.5% three-point shooter entering this season, VanVleet has connected on just 29.8% of his tries from beyond the arc through 27 games.
Rockets have been linked to also every big trade target and Udoka has always said he wants to win now with every team he coaches, but the front office have said there won’t be any major in season trades for a star.
All of which makes sense, following a simaike blueprint to OKC they never pulled the trigger on a big move last year although looked really young and promising. They wanted to elevate the weaknesses on the side and scout out good deals and good players to fill the gaps without taking a step back with who they already have.
Houston is taking a similar approach and coke the offseason they should know exactly where to invest and who they should be willing to give up.
However if they are to make an in season move I’d be be keen to see them give up Dillon Brooks which creates a starting spot for either Thompson or Eason. Both guys you could make an argument are already better than DB and both have sky high potential.
Thompson to me projects to like a Ben Simmons/Draymond Green type but in more of a thinner guards mould rather than a PF. Just very high IQ to know where to be and when, can make defensive plays inside and out on the perimeter, offensively a very good playmaker and very athletic. He’d be less vocal then Dray but either way his shot and less of a playmaker than Ben but with a better shot.
Tari Eason, to me is more similar to OG Anunoby. Solid enough scorer but never going to be a number 1 or 2 option probably. But can play either forward spot, solid shooter, can basically guard 1-5 but definitely more of a wings/forwards lock down guy rather than a hybrid. Can basically plug and play on any side and with the right development could maybe improve offensively.
You certainly don’t need Dillon Brooks, you’ve got solid vets in Fred, Steve, Jeff and so on. Not that Brooks has much value but just getting rid of that deal and getting back some draft capital would be a smart move and open up more for these two studs