For the most part all the vets have been solid, but Holiday doesn't get enough credit for doing so. He's been solid off the bench and when they had both he and FVV playing at the same time the other night, it looked like 2 midget tanks out there handling the ball and defending. I think he's also an example of what's made the defense so good so far - switchable, interchangeable, defensive-minded players with good IQ playing at almost every position at all times. When this is clicking, there isn't much of a let-up when both teams' 2nd units come in - you're just going to continue seeing the harassment now that Tari is back. I'm hopeful when Amen comes back, it gives even more to worry about for the other team.
I liked this signing at the time, but I like it even more now. So far, Jock Landale is basically the only signing that isn't (yet) exceeding my expectations. And I had high expectations for most of these signings relative to their roles.
Unless Jock Landale starts playing a lot better I'm guessing Amen starts taking his minutes. Holiday has been playing lights out. You don't reward that by losing minutes. Landale however...
So you're thinking something like Holiday / Amen / Tate / Tari / Green all getting minutes off the bench and Landale being the odd man out? I could get behind that
This has turned out to be a good signing. Dont know what his future is with the Rockets though. Lots of guys competing for a limited number of rotation spots.
Night and day difference after suffering through Hudgins, Christopher, and TyTy the last few seasons.
Another guy that comes in and feels like I'm watching professional basketball players. I really wanted Jaygup and TyTy and them to do well and develop, but you just can't have a bunch of kids out there together and think you're going to stop NBA players. Some guys you can't stop at all, but these vets have come in and raised the bar immediately.
I had suppressed those memories. Now thanks to you, you've re-triggered my ptsd. Are you happy with your behavior?
Good point. If Amen is ready to take over on year 3 maybe we should have Holiday as his backup if he's willing to sign a reasonable multi-year deal next offseason.
I'd say odds are better he's here for 3 years or for 1.5 years (or less) than it is for 2 years. I just have a hard time seeing him being so important to team that they don't trade him at the 2025 deadline, but not important enough to exercise the club option at the end of the year.
Holiday is only signed for the remainder of this year. https://www.basketball-reference.com/contracts/HOU.html
https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-not...ickley-cole-anthony-warriors-pistons-rockets/ The Houston Rockets have elevated from a bottom-tier lottery team the past three seasons to a potential playoff squad after an offseason spending spree that included the additions of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks and the hiring of coach Ime Udoka. Rockets guard Aaron Holiday, who was among the veteran free agent signings for a young Rockets team, spoke with HoopsHype about how Udoka, VanVleet, Brooks, and he have changed Houston’s culture, whether the NBA is still sleeping on Houston, Alperen Sengun’s development, how Holiday has taken advantage of his opportunity with the Rockets, and much more. Are you surprised by Houston’s play so far this season? Aaron Holiday: No, I wouldn’t say I’m surprised. I think I noticed how good we were in training camp when we were competing and locking into the new system, coverages, and plays. I could tell then that we’d surprised a lot of people. I really meant that. Do you think now other players or executives around the league have noticed that, or do you still feel slept on a bit? AH: I feel a little bit of both. We’ve played our best basketball at home. On the road, we have yet to win one, but we’re right there. We’re fighting neck and neck. It’s usually a couple of possessions to end a game on the road that we lose. I think we’re getting closer to people starting to respect us a little more. Obviously, when we come out with the defensive intensity that we have and our offense is clicking, we’re a tough team to beat. Are there any other reasons for the collective turnaround? AH: We have a good group of veterans and a good mixture of vets and young guys with coach Udoka, who’s done a great job of mixing us together and having a great game plan. I feel like we’re never going into a game blindsided by anything. We usually have a great game plan, and we stick with it, unless we have to make adjustments. They do a good job of putting scouting reports together for us. We’ve got a lot of smart guys on our team. Sometimes, you just need a little help. I think bringing the veterans that we have been really helpful to the young guys. What’s your relationship with Ime Udoka being coached by him? AH: It’s been great, honestly. At first, I didn’t know what to expect. Obviously, I knew he was a good coach, and he got his team to play hard and play defense. You just never know how they’re going to do it. Are they going to yell? Are they going to get on guys? Certain guys learn as they go. He’s not really the yelling type, but he’s firm with what he says, gets his point across, and he does a good job at it. You can tell by the way we adjusted from our first three games that we lost. After that, we made adjustments and got back on track. How would you describe your leadership role with the younger guys on the team? AH: This is probably the first place I’ve really had to be a leader. Other places, I’ve led in certain ways, but coming here, I felt that I could really help these guys out, having been in the league for six years. All I try to instill is working hard and playing the game the right way. Obviously, I help out when I can with certain things, like getting into the paint and making a kick out. For the most part, these guys are talented and just need a little bit of guidance. What have been your impressions of Dillon Brooks as a teammate, and what has he brought? AH: He’s a great teammate. I used to play against Dillon in college. He’s pretty much the same. He plays with that edge. He’s somebody you want on your team fighting with you every day. He brings good energy and that edge I mentioned that we need on the defensive end. It helps everybody lock in and focus, knowing we’ve got somebody like him out there guarding. Offensively, he’s done a great job shooting the ball, getting to his spots, and finding guys as well. He’s been great for us. Have you noticed an extra chip on his shoulder this season after how he left Memphis? AH: I feel like since I’ve played him in college, he’s always had that chip on his shoulder. I don’t think it’s just because of whatever happened in Memphis. What’s Fred VanVleet been like as a teammate, and what has he brought? AH: He’s been great as well. He’s brought a lot of toughness for us. In the past, I don’t think they (Houston) has had a point guard. They’ve had great talent, but I don’t think they’ve had a point guard who doesn’t turn the ball over much. He brings a steadiness and toughness for sure. He’s been great for the young guys whenever he can on and off the court. I think he’s been a big addition. As a teammate and a person, he’s been great for us. Has there been any advice you’ve offered to Jalen Green? AH: When I first got here, we played. I just sprinkle in things I see that he’s doing that could help his game, like getting to the paint, playing off two, or slowing down a little bit. He’s very talented and has a lot in his bag already. How has Alperen Sengun taken the next step in his development? AH: He had a big step from earlier in the year to now. He continues to get better. Ime’s coaching and the veterans are trying to help him as well. I think he’s almost unstoppable in the post. When he takes his time, faces up and takes his time, he’s pretty much unstoppable. He can pass really well, too. I think he’s just playing in a good flow. He knows when to kick and when to post up and take it to the basket. He uses pump fakes, too. He’s an intelligent player. Having guys like me, Fred and Jalen around him to shoot helps space the floor for him. What has going to Houston meant for you and the opportunity you’ve had? AH: It means the world. I’m still playing in the NBA, which is not something everybody can say. This is my sixth year. I’m blessed, and I don’t take that for granted. Coming here, I decided to play my role and do the things that I’m asked to do. When the opportunity came about, I was ready for it because I worked so hard. My teammates have done a great job of finding me for some threes. I’ve tried to come in and be a steady guard. I know we’re young, and I know how that is because I’ve been there before. I’m trying to make sure everything is slowed down a little bit, and we get into our sets for good shots. Defensively, I try to pick up and change the pace of the game. It’s a great spot for me. I’m happy Houston wanted me. Once they did, I knew it was the spot for me. What are fair expectations for the Rockets looking ahead this season? AH: In my opinion, I think we’re for sure going to make a playoff push. I feel like we’re good enough. Our defense is amazing. I feel like that’s our staple. Offensively, we can score with the best of them for sure. If our defense is on point and we’re doing what we’re supposed to do, I feel like we’re a tough team to beat. I believe we’re going to get to the playoffs this year for sure. Is there anything else about the Rockets that, from the outside looking in that, people wouldn’t know about the team? AH: I feel like people are surprised that we’re winning and how well we’re playing, especially at home. We’re a great group of guys. Everyone gets along. Everybody is cool with each other. That’s a good thing in itself. We really want each other to win and be successful. When you think about you, Jrue, and Justin Holiday all being in the league, what does that mean to you? AH: It’s amazing. That was one of my goals coming into high school when I really felt like I could make it to the NBA. I wanted to get there and play with my brothers. Playing against them is a blessing and something I don’t take for granted. I’ve also played with Justin two times. My most enjoyable games are playing against Justin and Jrue because we grew up together. I know what it took for all of us to get here. Have you three talked about playing together? AH: Yeah, but everything has to work out perfectly for that to happen. It would be tough for that to happen, but obviously we’re all for it. What was your reaction when Jrue Holiday got traded? AH: I understood why they traded him. Obviously, they wanted Damian Lillard. As a brother, I didn’t understand it at the same time. As an NBA player, I did. However, Jrue landed in a perfect spot. He’s on another contending team. He’s there to help them win, and he could be the missing piece with Kristaps Porzingis. He can be the missing piece for another championship. He’s a great talent and plays his role. He’s not going to be a guy who is out here too many shots or going off script. He’s going to stick to the game plan, play the right way, and play defense. That’s all you really need for that team because they have a lot of scoring, and he plays really good defense as well. I feel like they have a great chance to win the championship.
