Houston Rockets: 2017-18 season primer: How high will they soar?

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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 30: Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the second half of Game Seven of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center at Staples Center on April 30, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo bHouston y Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Key Additions and Departures

Last season, the Houston Rockets were littered with deadly 3-point shooters at almost every position. It seems as though general manager Daryl Morey took a slightly different approach to rounding out the roster after the Rockets acquired Chris Paul.

Instead of Adding more shooting, Morey signed primarily defensive minded players to assume rotational roles. Below are the notable acquisitions and departures for the Houston Rockets heading 2017-2018 NBA Season.

Additions

Chris Paul:

The NBA is a superstar league, and the Rockets landed one in Chris Paul to accompany James Harden in the Rockets backcourt.

Paul is dangerous with the ball in his hand and he is naturally going to draw defense’s attention. That means Harden likely won’t be doubled as often and defenders of spot up shooters will have to pay attention to Paul when he drives.

In addition to distributing the basketball, Paul is magnificent scoring off of the pick n’ roll, something Patrick Beverley never thrived at. The video below shows Paul’s relentless ability to attack and score off high ball screens.

Paul is a legitimate difference maker and is going to elevate the Rockets in more ways than one. His leadership, decision making and scoring ability make Harden and himself the best backcourt in the NBA, giving the Rockets a significant advantage over the majority of teams.

P.J. Tucker:

While Paul was the big name the Rockets landed, P.J. Tucker was one of the most underrated signings of the offseason. Tucker is a fundamentally sound wing defender that spent the early portion of his basketball career playing for various clubs in Europe. He returned to the NBA in 2012 and has since established himself as a solid role player than can guard even the best players in the league.

Below are a series of defensive possessions of Tucker last season against the Chicago Bulls. He was the primary defender on Jimmy Butler in the fourth quarter and OT.

Tucker doesn’t leave his feet often on defense and consistently keeps his man in front. Even on pick n’ rolls, Tucker showed his ability to fight through screens and recover when he is forced to switch. Tucker will likely be a fixture in the rotation and be tasked to guard an opposing team’s best player when on the floor.

Luc Mbah a Moute:

Luc Mbah a Moute is listed on the Rockets’ depth chart as a small forward behind both Trevor Ariza and P.J. Tucker, but he should see time as a small ball power forward when he does find the court. Listed at 6’8, Mbah a Moute is coming off his best year shooting the basketball. He shot over 50 percent from the floor and shot a career best 39.1 percent behind the arc.

Mbah a Moute likely won’t log heavy minutes unless someone is in foul trouble or he is needed from a matchup perspective. Nonetheless, he provides solid depth the Rockets need after shipping off the majority of their bench in the Paul trade.

Tarik Black:

Tarik Black is coming back to Houston after playing his previous 3 season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Black had a brief stint with the Rockets in 2014 where he started in 12 games. Although, this time he will be playing behind both Clint Capela and Nene at center. Black is undersized at 6’9, but is a good insurance policy in case Nene goes down with an injury.

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Zhou Qi:

It remains to be seen how much of the floor Zhou Qi will see the floor this season, but he certainly excited fans this Summer. He looked comfortable putting the ball on the floor and attacking the basket when he was on the perimeter. He isn’t there yet defensively and has a long way to go before significantly contributing. Luckily, Capela is manning the center position and the Rockets can afford to bring Zhou along slowly and allow him to develop.

Departures

Patrick Beverley:

Fan favorite Patrick Beverley will no longer be wearing number two for the Rockets. He was included in the Chris Paul deal that sent a handful of Rockets to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Beverley has spent his entire career in Houston and seemed to improve every year. He developed into a fairly reliable three point shooter and made NBA All-Defensive First Team last season. Paul is no slouch on defense himself, but he does have more miles than Beverley and likely won’t exert as much effort on that side of the floor.

With Beverley gone, the Rockets will need someone to pick up the team on defense and P.J. Tucker is a possible a candidate. Tucker is defense-first player and isn’t afraid to do some of the dirty work Beverley did on a nightly basis.

Sam Dekker:

It was hard to tell how Sam Dekker would eventually fit on the Rockets. He scored double-digit points in 15 games last season, but only shot 32.1 percent from three. Dekker could have been a decent piece for the Rockets offensively, but the team is in “win now” mode.

The Rockets have plenty of scoring ability on the roster, they didn’t necessarily need Dekker. Tucker and Mbah a Moute provide the Rockets with the defense they lacked at the wing position and are a better fit for the roster than Dekker.

Montrez Harrell:

Montrezz Harrell started in 12 of the 58 games he appeared in last season and provided some much needed support when Capela fractured his fibula in December. Harrell averaged an impressive 9.1 points per game considering his limited playing time.

Similar to Dekker, Harrell showed promise as a solid player but he isn’t someone the Rockets necessarily needed. He lost playing time to Nene down the stretch last season and in the playoffs who assumed his role as the backup center.

Lou Williams:

Lou Williams tenure with the Rockets was short-lived. He played in 35 games, including playoffs, for the Rockets after being traded to them at the trade deadline. Williams is a streaky shooter that is capable of scoring 20 points off the bench any given night.

Williams did provide some nice offensive fire power, but it may have been overkill. Eric Gordon essentially had the same role as Williams. He was a rental for a playoff push last season, but there is no reason his production can’t be filled by other players on the roster this year.

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