Snyder get another opportunity to work his way into Rockets' rotation Rockets guard Kirk Snyder has averaged 20.3 minutes in the last three games. Damien Pierce Rockets.com Staff Writer HOUSTON -- Kirk Snyder admits the playing time is nice. Since Bonzi Wells has been out of the lineup over the past week with a sore right foot, Snyder has received more minutes in the past three games than he received in the previous eight. Not a bad change of pace. "I haven't been playing a lot so it's definitely nice to get a chance to play," Snyder said. Now, he's working on trying to remain in the rotation. Snyder is getting his latest opportunity to earn consistent playing time as the Rockets head to Boston Wednesday night for a meeting with the Celtics. Wells is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a sore right foot and remains listed as day-to-day. That, of course, has opened the door for Snyder to show what he could possibly bring to the Rockets over the remainder of the season. Over the last three games, Snyder has averaged 20.3 minutes off the bench with mostly mixed results. He had 14 points and five rebounds in 29 minutes during Saturday's setback to San Antonio, but his playing time dipped to 14 minutes against Cleveland Monday with Yao Ming back in the lineup. He hasn't transformed into the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year with the increased minutes, but he's offered glimpses of being an effective slasher off the perimeter to wedge in between Yao Ming and Houston's collection of three-point shooters. "He's tried really hard," Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said earlier this week. "He needs to cut down on his mistakes. His energy and his effort have been good. He's had up and down opportunities, but we'll see where it goes from here." Snyder has typically been getting his minutes at the start of the second quarter. His playing time after that has been largely determined by how well Houston's other perimeter players have performed through the first three quarters. While he hasn't consistentally hit his jumper along the perimeter with a 21.7 percent clip from beyond three-point range, Snyder has been able to use his size to post smaller defenders and use his athleticism to attack the basket. He's even shown in spurts an ability to help on the offensive glass. The team's need for improved perimeter defense has also given Snyder an opportunity since he can use his frame and quickness to cover opposing guards. "I can help with my athletic talents and one-on-one defense," Snyder said. "But team is predecated off being around and playing with the other guys. That's what I'm working on right now." He's hoping to show that he's picked it up enough to stick in the Rockets' rotation. "I'm trying to take advantage of the opportunity to play," Snyder said. "Hopefully, I'll get called on a little more to do more for the team and take ownership of my career. I'm trying to help this team as much as I can." http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/Snyder_get_another_opportunity-214315-34.html
