Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: Gotta Shoot the Three

The Summer League isn’t necessarily a time to try and win games, but rather an opportunity for coaches to make roster decisions.

That’s good news, considering the Houston Rockets‘ 1-3 record during this year’s Vegas games. While the team didn’t do much winning, the coaches got what they needed from watching the younger players showcase their talent in what was the first taste of professional basketball for many of them.

As I’ve written on multiple occasions as of late, the biggest worry from the entire Summer League team was three-point shooting. The Rockets shot more threes last year than just about any other team in the NBA and will probably continue that trend into this upcoming season. If a player wants to thrive in H-town, they’ll have to be able to knock down a trey or two.

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Ethan Rothstein of The Dream Shake provided five takeaways from this year’s Summer League matchups, including the infectious energy that Montrezl Harrell brings when he steps on the court. He somehow manages to be one of the most fun players to watch without possessing any certain skills that would set him apart from the crowd.

There might not be many minutes for him [Harrell] again this year. Assuming Donatas Motiejunas re-signs, he’s probably the fifth big man in the rotation, behind Clint Capela, Ryan Anderson, Nene and Donuts. I could see a scenario in which, by sheer hustle, he supplants an oft-injured Nene, but he just doesn’t have much of an avenue for playing time when everyone is active.

He has a short fuse, but the motor is real, his length is real. He had one moment on Friday where he actually split a double-team, off the dribble, and finished with a dunk. He has the beginnings of a multi-faceted game. But he plays with such joie de vivre that any time he gets on the court will be must-see TV.

During one Summer League game, Rockets GM Daryl Morey sat down with the commentators to discuss his team’s offseason moves. Space City Scoop editor Tamberlyn Richardson provided a summary of the interview, noting that Morey dispelled the rumor that was going around that James Harden would play point guard this year.

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Speaking of Morey, despite a proven track record of acquiring talent, he has lost some of his reputability over the past few months. Fans have often used the saying, “In Morey we trust,” but according to House of Houston’s Brandon Davis, that might not be the case anymore.

"Perhaps this is why I don’t trust Morey anymore. . Les Alexander wants an entertaining team. Daryl Morey wants to build a winner. If Les won’t allow Daryl to work, then I doubt, very much, the likelihood that Morey is worth trusting. Very little good ever comes from a meddling owner – ask Cowboys fans. Daryl Morey is most likely not in control anymore. Les Alexander fired Kevin McHale"

Whether Morey is worth trusting or not, the Rockets will suffer the consequences or enjoy the benefits of having a team that is ultra-focused on offense and shooting the three and dangerously negligent of playing defense. With the Summer League guys struggling for the most part from beyond the arc, something may have to change if they are to see valuable NBA court time.

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