[Rockets.Com] 2005-2006 Houston Rockets Positional Analysis

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The season preview is a highly-anticipated feature that fans have been anxiously waiting for the whole summer. It's an informative, in-depth read that focuses on each aspect of the team as well as which players have come and gone. Through thorough research and studies, Rockets.com has provided a 2005 Rockets positional analysis for our beloved fans. What follows is a detailed report on all five player positions, as well as an evaluation of the bench. It's important to note that lineups are always subject to change and that nothing is set in stone. Enjoy, Rockets fans, and read up on your favorite team and favorite players. Rosters are as of September 15, 2005.

Point Guard
If healthy, Bob Sura will be the starting point guard for the Rockets. Sura averaged 10.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per contest last season. Unfortunately, he only participated in 61 games due to an assortment of injuries. However, Sura provides a gritty toughness that is similar to former Rocket Mario Elie. He’s a stable ballhandler and rebounds extremely well for a point guard. Sura also has the versatility to play the shooting guard spot. He shot his best percentage from 3-point range (35.5%) since his 1999-2000 NBA campaign. While a relatively conservative scorer, Sura showed that he can still get hot at times by hitting 6-7 from downtown and scoring a career-high 35 points in early January 2005. The Rockets love Sura’s veteran leadership and his professionalism in how he approaches each game. Unafraid to stand up for his teammates or challenge opponents, the 6’5”, 200-pound Sura is a Van Gundy favorite for his relentless attitude.

Shooting Guard
Veteran guard David Wesley will return to claim his starting “2” spot for Houston. Wesley came over in an early trade with New Orleans last year and put together 10.9 points per game, while shooting 38% from 3-point range. He was most valuable as a defensive guard. Wesley, by using his bulk and strength despite being only 6’1”, was able to hold his position and use his wily veteran skills to make life tough for some of the better offensive guards in the league. Due to the Rockets adding more backcourt depth in the offseason, Wesley will likely see fewer minutes this season. However, that’s not a bad thing as the team hopes Wesley will be fresh for playoff action. His shooting is an asset that the Rockets need.

Small Forward
The fact that McGrady is slotted at the “3” spot may raise some eyebrows, but it is a position that McGrady has had success with. McGrady played the small forward spot most of last season following Wesley’s arrival to Houston. Also, the shooting guard and small forward spots are largely interchangeable. McGrady came over to the Rockets in 2005’s blockbuster summer trade and immediately gave the Rockets a spark and identity. McGrady posted 25.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, and had countless memorable moments in his first Rockets season. Who could forget his improbable scoring burst of 13 points in the final 35 seconds of the game against the Spurs? Fans are still numb over just the mere thought of such a happening. It’s likely that McGrady will see his scoring drop a little due to the offensive talents that the Rockets have acquired this offseason. However, whether he’s averaging 26 or 20 points per game, there is no question as to who the Rockets will go to in clutch situations.

Power Forward
For the first time since the days of Charles Barkley and Otis Thorpe, the Rockets have some stability at the power forward spot. Stromile Swift gives the Rockets an athletic, quick forward whose forte is blocking shots and utilizing his athleticism to run the floor and score in transition. As a member of the Memphis Grizzlies, Swift averaged 10.1 points and 4.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per contest last season. His aerial acrobatics will engage Rockets fans. Aside from his assortment of dunks, Swift also owns a nice midrange jumper which will open up the post for Yao to dominate. Swift scored 23 points on two separate occasions off the bench last season, and snared a season-high 12 rebounds versus the Golden State Warriors.

Center
It was the first summer that Yao Ming had been able to rest and not compete for China in basketball tournaments. Yao spent the summer practicing and training with former Rockets strength and conditioning coach Anthony Falsone. In his third year in the league, Yao averaged 18.3 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2 blocks per contest. He also shot a career-high 55% from the floor. Yao continues to show more aggressiveness and ability as he accommodates himself to the grind of NBA play. Yao has seen his shot-blocking numbers rise each season, and he is getting better in going straight up for a shot and utilizing his height and strength instead of pump-faking and waiting for the defender to come to him. With Swift as a weakside defender, Yao will have help in guarding the basket, which will allow him to gamble more and play more intensely on defense.

Bench
With Swift and Anderson now donning the red and silver of the Rockets, the bench will now be among the finest in the league. Either Mike James or Derek Anderson will be the sixth man at the guard spot. James came over in a trade from Milwaukee last February and gave the Rockets an explosive spark off the bench. While not a “true” point guard in that he has a scoring mentality, James logged 12.4 points and 2.9 assists a game as a Rocket, and shot 39% from the land of plenty. Anderson will be the spark off the bench, alongside James, and he’ll be able to use his height and scoring ability to help the Rockets’ transition game. A smart player who knows his role, Anderson claims career numbers of 13.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He can pass, shoot, and score, and is looking to have a bounce-back year after spending the last few seasons with the rebuilding Portland Trail Blazers. Guard Jon Barry is back to provide veteran leadership and shooting. Barry set the Rockets’ franchise record for single-season 3-point percentage by knocking down 45.1% of his treys. He is also a smart passer who can get his teammates involved.

As far as the frontcourt is concerned, last year’s starting power forward Juwan Howard will likely be the first forward off the bench for Houston. In 61 games last season, Howard contributed 9.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per game in just over 26 minutes per contest. Should Houston choose to go with Howard off the bench, his midrange jumper and veteran influence will be appreciated. Veteran Dikembe Mutombo returns as the backup for Yao Ming. Mutombo got along well with Yao and helped tutor him on the finer aspects of interior play. Deke averaged 4 points and 5 rebounds in limited time, but was invaluable as an inside defensive force and a capable backup for Yao. He blocked six shots against Memphis in November 2004, and had a season-best game of 15 points and 10 rebounds in a victory at Portland. Forward Ryan Bowen returns as a spot player for Houston. Bowen was praised for his defensive skills in the playoffs, and Van Gundy loves him for his willingness to scrap and hustle every minute that he’s on the floor. His length and relentless tenacity on defense frustrates opponents. Rookie Luther Head will likely see little time this season since veteran contributors are ahead of him in the rotation. Head is quick and extremely athletic, and was rated as one of the top two athletes at the pre-draft NBA Chicago Combine. He showed veteran defensive instincts as a member of the Rockets’ entry in the 2005 Minnesota summer league, averaging 3.3 assists and a league-best 2.5 steals per contest. Fan favorite Moochie Norris and Charlie Ward will be the third and fourth guards, respectively. Forward Vin Baker, acquired from New York last season, remains on the roster and may prove to be of service if healthy and in condition to play. Fourth-year forward Lonny Baxter had an outstanding summer league for the Rockets in Minnesota. Baxter averaged a league-best 23.3 points per game, and was second in the league with 6.8 rebounds. The team feels he can become a nice defensive player under Van Gundy’s tutelage.