Houston Rockets: Chandler Parsons, Patrick Patterson and Chase Budinger Step Up

Last season under Rick Adelman, the Houston Rockets were a guard-oriented offense with Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry doing a good portion of the scoring.

This season with Kevin McHale in the fold, the offense is pretty much the same—although there has been more of an emphasis on getting the center more involved in the offense.

The Houston Rockets are a team in need of another center (that can play alongside Samuel Dalembert or off the bench), but in the meantime they have been able to find ways to use their various big men in certain plays when needed.

The Rockets, that start Dalembert at center, have been using a rotation of Jordan Hill and Patrick Patterson, and when in dire need they turn to starting power forward Luis Scola, playing him at the center spot.

However, they have not really had to play Scola at the center position (rebounding sometimes becomes an issue) all that much due to the growth of Patterson. Patterson, who is more of a power forward than an NBA center, has been playing well coming off of screens—especially when paired up with starting point guard Kyle Lowry.

Chase Budinger has become a better three-point shooter, and after being benched earlier this season, has come out and been playing with a purpose. His athletic ability also allows him to be a continual threat to beat his man and go straight to the painted area, putting pressure on opposing big men.

Rookie Chandler Parsons has been another integral part of the Rockets rotation, providing big plays down the stretch. He has been playing during the key moments in games so far this season.

Whether it has been grabbing a key rebound or picking up a key foul, Parsons has stepped up to the plate for first-year head coach Kevin McHale.