[12.13.05] Rockets Quarter-Season Report

Grading Van Gundy’s Rockets: Quarter-Season Report Card for the Houston Rockets

By Dennis L. Silva, II.
12.13.05


It’s 19 games into the 2005-06 NBA campaign, and the Houston Rockets are sitting at 7-12 on the season. For a team many predicted to be the lone challengers to the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference, the Rockets, to many, appear to be underachieving and unable to produce the magical season that many had in store for them. The fact is, however, that when you lose a superstar and perennial All-Star such as Tracy McGrady (who has missed 8 games this season due to back strain), your team will in fact struggle. Especially when you consider that the Rockets’ front office molded this team to fit McGrady’s vast array of skills. The Rockets are 0-8 in those games that McGrady has sat and not participated, meaning that the squad is 7-4 with him.

It is a credit to Rockets head coach Jeff Van Gundy that this team has stayed competitive during McGrady’s absence. Due to a confounding defense (ranked 3rd in the league in opponents’ field goal percentage; 2nd in opponents’ points per game), the Rockets’ worst loss without McGrady was by a margin of 12 points to the Phoenix Suns. Without McGrady, Houston lost by only four points to Miami; eight to Detroit; and five to Memphis. Considering that, aside from McGrady, the Rockets have no other players who can create offensively and claim a roster that basically consists of specialists, the Rockets have done an admirable job competing against top-tier ballclubs without even having the services of their top-tier player.

With McGrady having less problems with his back the past couple of weeks, Houston has won three straight games as of late, and four out of five overall. Also, the team is having natural shooting guards (David Wesley and rookie Luther Head) taking major minutes at the point guard position while their own true point guards Rafer Alston and Bob Sura are still weeks away from returning from injury. This is a team that will not be of full strength until mid-February, at the very earliest.

As long as Houston continues to play 100% and all-out on defense (they are the only NBA squad to have not allowed an opponent to shoot 50% or more in a game this year), they will stay close in games. Offensively, they still have a long way to go, but are starting to receive consistent contributions from players who were inconsistent to start the season. As it stands, it is still too early to judge Houston and their place among the NBA’s elite, but assuming all falls into place and this team comes together, the Rockets will be a scary team to face come playoff time.

Player Analysis:​

Point Guard: With Alston having missed eleven games due to a stress fracture in his right leg, David Wesley has done a brilliant job of stepping in and handling the point guard duties. Wesley, a natural shooting guard despite standing only 6’1”, has compiled 8.1 points and 42.1% marksmanship from 3-point range while providing a steady hand who, while not quick or able to break down defenses, can run an offense and commit few mistakes. However, his name is still bantered around in trade talks due to his expiring contract, despite the fact that he has been one of the Rockets’ most consistent contributors.

Alston, when healthy, has proven to be a quick point guard with fast hands who can cut off driving lanes. Alston still had not found his offensive rhythm when he went down with injury, but he did a great job finding the open man and keeping his turnovers low. He averages 4.1 assists compared to a mere 1.5 giveaways in 31 minutes per game. Both Wesley and Head (who has been Wesley’s backup at point) are excited for his return as both would love to move back to their natural off-the-ball positions.

Speaking of the rookie, Head has been nothing short of magnificent this season. Expected to be nothing more than a benchwarmer in his first year out of Illinois, the rookie has 9.5 points and shot 46% from downtown while being one of the few Rockets who can break down a defense and penetrate the lane. He still has a ways to go defensively, but on a team who desperately needs any and all production on offense, Head has been a diamond in the rough.

Shooting Guard: McGrady has been usual All-Star self and may even arise as an MVP candidate. T-Mac has accumulated 24.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.55 steals in his 11 games this season. The Rockets are clearly a different team with McGrady on the floor. Yao Ming appreciates his presence as well, as Yao has shown that he uncomfortable with his role as the Rockets’ primary go-to guy. This is a team sculpted around McGrady’s abilities, and when he’s not on the floor for an extended period, the team becomes reluctant and hesitant offensively.

Newcomer Derek Anderson started the season slow but has picked up his play within the last few weeks. Anderson has regained his midrange shooting touch, and has even surprised Rockets watchers with his all-around play. Anderson has averaged 10.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists, while showing aggressiveness on defense. He is more than capable of being the consistent third-scorer that this team needs, but he needs to accept that role his himself and not be so passive offensively.

Jon Barry has missed the last week or so due to injury (left calf strain) but, aside from a 24-point performance on opening night, has been disappointing. Barry, a sharpshooter, has hit only 37% of his three-point looks this season, and 39% overall. If he’s not hitting shots, he’s not helping. He gets abused defensively against quicker, larger players, and tends to be too free with his passing. When he returns, he will likely see 10-15 minutes per game as a shooting specialist; someone who can spread the floor.

Small Forward: McGrady and Anderson both spend a great portion of the game at this spot, but Van Gundy has been starting defensive specialist Ryan Bowen here as of late. Bowen, while an offensive liability, gives 100% effort night in and night out, and usually takes on the assignment of guarding the opponents’ best perimeter player. His length and height (6’9”) make him a stress to play against for opponents. If he could ever develop a reliable jump shot (30% shooting on the season), he could see more minutes.

Anderson and McGrady will see time here as well, depending on matchups.

Power Forward: Juwan Howard has been a rock of consistency for Houston this season. Van Gundy knows he can expect maximum effort on both ends of the floor from Howard. Howard is only averaging 7.4 points and 5.8 rebounds this year, but his value is not evident by mere numbers. He sets solid, hard screens, and is a great passer in the Rockets high-low system. He also owns a lethal midrange jump shot that can spread the defense and allow Yao more room to operate in the low post, but he needs to be more consistent with his accuracy. He’s only shooting at a 41% clip, which is intolerable for a player who owns a career 46.9% shooting average.

The Rockets’ marquee free agent addition, Stromile Swift, has been solid in recent weeks. After starting out the season confused with his role in Van Gundy’s system, Swift is finally starting to produce, and has been huge in the fourth quarter. So huge, in fact, that Van Gundy is comfortable with Swift on the floor in closing minutes of close games. Swift has accumulated 8.9 points and 4.6 rebounds this year, but in the last few games, he has been contributing 12 and 6 on a consistent basis.

Center: Yao has been bashed and criticized harshly in the first few weeks of this season, mostly coming from Rockets loyalists. However, much of that critique is unwarranted and undeserved. Is Yao a superstar who will transcend the game and the way it is played? No, of course not. Anyone who thought so was foolish. However, is Yao a waste of talent; someone who will never amount to anything in the NBA? Definitely not. Yao has compiled 18.9 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.47 blocks this season, while averaging three more minutes per game due to an offseason of rest and improved conditioning. He is still the second-best center in the league, and will be the best in the league sooner than later, as Shaquille O’Neal’s career seems to be headed towards its finish.

Dikembe Mutombo has played solid as Yao’s backup, averaging 3.4 rebounds in 10.9 minutes per game. Opponents are never silly enough to challenge Mutombo’s defense, so he provides a stable anchor for the Rockets’ interior whenever he is in the game.