Marcus Smart has already given Rockets hope of solving team's biggest issues

The regular season hasn't started yet, but Rockets fans sneakily have a ton of reasons to be excited already. Of course, the growth of their young players will probably decide the Rockets' playoff ceiling, but Marcus Smart showed plenty of ways that he can impact the team's postseason fortunes too - in just one great preseason game.

Smart put together a dominant performance in Houston's second preseason game with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in just 24 minutes. In that performance, he shot very well too: 4-of-9 from three-point range. With that shooting and Smart's years of experience as a lead ball-handler in the NBA, he can help keep the Rockets offense flowing even when Fred VanVleet isn't on the court.

Marcus Smart can be the dream addition the Rockets needed

If Smart can have a strong shooting campaign, he'll also qualify as an essential 3-and-D depth piece that the Rockets have been missing compared to top contenders. That seems like a stretch goal considering Smart's career average of 32% from three-point range. But that number could look a little better if he is more diligent with his shot selection as he gets older.

At his best in the preseason, Smart was blending confident spot-up shooting with effective driving and playmaking. He had a good sense of when to look for his own shot versus setting up teammates, often right at the rim. Last season, the Rockets lacked any of that seasoned veteran guard play since VanVleet missed the entire season with injury and Houston didn't have another experienced playmaker on the roster.

VanVleet should change the offense drastically with his return this season, but Smart can play an important role too. Smart has a chance to sustain an organized offense and good flow in bench units or when VanVleet has to miss any time. The Rockets could go from practically zero minutes of veteran point guards last season to having at least one on the court nearly all the time between VanVleet and Smart.

Smart can play alongside VanVleet too

If that wasn't valuable enough, Smart also has the size to moonlight as a shooting guard if needed. He's listed at 6'3" and has always been known for his sturdiness as a defender, so he has no problem guarding bigger perimeter players. This gives the Rockets a chance to maximize their playmaking talent on the floor by pairing Smart with VanVleet in the backcourt.

It's just a chance at more optionality for Houston and makes Smart's signing look even better. His impact should surprise a lot of people and help the Rockets exceed expectations yet again. Both Smart and the Rockets couldn't have asked for a better mutual fit.

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