EG is obviously the better player, but we also need someone to play with the scrubs and get buckets. So House starts by default.
We don't need a third ball handler in the starting lineup. This balances the rotation. If we want to be honest, it should probably be Westbrook coming off the bench.
House is starting because he might provide a little resistance to the Greek Freak scoring like crazy on us. I don't know if EG could handle a guy like that defensively.
He has to hit the open 3 and drive aggressively. However, most importantly, he has to play tough D on Giannis or Middleton...
Exactly. Since we’re not changing our offense and Harden does not seem committed to working off the ball, might as well move Westbrook off the bench and make him PG with Gordon at SG. Westbrook is also not committed to winning at all costs, or else he’d be open to a bench role.
As long as he doesn't play like a deer in headlights (last years playoffs) we should be good with him in the starting lineup.
Good. EG needs to stay healthy and efficient. House provides more length on D and can function well within our offense.
Our offensive pace skyrocketed this preseason compared to last years pace. Going from 98.4 up to 111.6! Wouldn’t be so quick to say nothing is changing. In the halfcourt though nothing really should change. Giving Harden the ball is one of the best things a team could do in NBA history in the halfcourt.
That's the balance I want to see. Plus he needs to attack the boards. So House better be averaging like 6 RPG.
the pace of the rockets preseason last year was 103. and the rockets had a higher ortg and lower drtg if we're talking preseason
It would be nice if House could regain his stroke, but if he shows energy and hustles his ass off getting rebounds and defense, I would be very very happy. In preseason, House didn't shoot that well, but he was hustling.