Houston Rockets: 3 Things Chandler Parsons Has To Improve On This Season

After two seasons with the Houston Rockets, forward Chandler Parsons has become a definite contributor to the team.  His shooting percentages and distinct calm on the court make him a standout, but he still has room to improve to become a true star.  At this point, he is a great asset on the Rockets’ roster who still flies somewhat under the radar.  With a contract that’s less than $1 million each year, Parsons is clearly Houston’s biggest bargain. Here is a look at how the 6’9” Parsons must improve this season to stand out as a potential All-Star.

May 1, 2013; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets forward Chandler Parsons (25) handles the ball against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Get Stronger:

Parsons simply has to put in the time in the weight room.  That way, he can finish in the paint with greater efficiency without letting traffic slow him down.  Without it, he will continue to struggle pushing through to the hoop.  Increased strength would also largely help improve his defensive game.  After putting so much focus on his offense last season, Parsons seemed to forget about the other side of the ball.  He will need to put on more muscle to be a bigger force on D.

Get Faster:

One area where Parsons lacks is his quickness, which particularly shows in his defensive game. Parson’s defensive play took a serious downturn last season, averaging only 0.17 steals and 0.33 blocks per game.  He has the smarts, the accuracy, and the versatility across the court, but he must improve his lateral quickness in order to make more plays for himself.  Real stars in today’s league have the ability to create off the dribble offensively as well as be explosive on defense.

Work well with the triple threat of Jeremy Lin, Dwight Howard, and James Harden.

Yes, Parsons is consistent as a shooter,  but if he wants to be known as a respected star in today’s league, Parsons must perform to the same level as Harden or Howard.  He is arguably the NBA’s biggest value, much to Houston’s joy and Parson’s chagrin.  He must establish himself as a permanent fixture on the starting lineup and blend with Lin, Howard, and Harden to prove he deserves to get noticed when it comes time to decide All-Stars.