Winners and Losers from Week 1 of Houston Rockets' Preseason
The Houston Rockets’ preseason started in a big way this week, kicking off with a battle against the hated Dallas Mavericks—Chandler Parsons edition. The Rockets won the contest on the road, 111-108, and it’s hard to imagine a happier way to begin 2014-15.
Not that the Rockets looked perfect in the matchup. Far from it. Like all teams in October, they showed they have a lot to work on. Twenty-three turnovers and 45 personal fouls made for an often-ugly product, and Houston’s victory could ultimately be said to be about as random as a fruitful trip to the slot machine.
But there’s still a lot to glean from the team’s performance thus far. Who can we say is doing their job and meeting expectations early on? Who isn’t?
The knock on James Harden, in general, is obvious: It’s his defense. The shooting guard’s porous coverage became as famous as his beard in 2013-14, and until he reverses his negative defensive trend, public perception of him is going to be lukewarm at best.
As reported by Jenny Dial Creech of Houston Chronicle, Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley doesn't exactly seem to be convinced his teammate’s righted the ship. Creech writes:
"Rockets point guard Pat Beverley said the first unit lacked 'effort' on Tuesday. After last season’s crushing first-round playoff loss to the Trail Blazers, effort on the defensive end especially was something Beverley wanted to see more of in the Rockets.
'Effort is always a mindset,' Beverley said. 'That is the difference between good players and great players. It’s a will. It’s a will to keep fighting through screens. It’s a will to box out the big man or to lay out a big man. It’s a will to get through screens, and it’s a will to put a hand up on Damian Lillard when he shoots. We have to be better at that this coming year.'
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Even though the reference to Lillard is a barely veiled knife at Parsons—the man who gaffed on the Portland Trail Blazers point guard and let him hit the shot to end Houston’s season back in April—it’s also a pretty clear suggestion that Harden isn't up to snuff yet either.
Verdict: Loser
People are coming back around on Dwight Howard. Excruciating as they still find many of his antics—including his recent over-hug of Parsons upon their reunion in Dallas—it’s become too hard to stop denying that he remains the most impactful rim protector in basketball.
Howard didn’t exactly excel against the Mavericks, though. He shot 1-of-6 from the field in 15 minutes, with four turnovers. According to the Houston Chronicle's Jonathan Feigen, he also sustained a knee injury in the matchup that could keep him out of action for a week or longer. He’ll survive, surely, and likely still have another dominant season. But it’s been a sputtering start to the year for Superman.
Verdict: Loser
Trevor Ariza
Trevor Ariza’s first big test was a largely symbolic one: He had to outplay Parsons.
And he did—thoroughly. The numbers speak for themselves:
Even before the Mavs-Rockets showdown, though, most Houston followers knew they got the better end of the bargain by losing Parsons and taking on Ariza. He’s a stronger defender and a more accurate three-point shooter, and he should also be more comfortable working off the ball more next to Harden and Beverley.
The rivalry between the Mavericks and Rockets has reached such heights that some fans might forgive a bad season from Ariza, so long as he keeps outplaying Parsons like this whenever Dallas is on the schedule. But if Ariza can continue to have such an edge over other competition, too, he’ll be a home run.
Verdict: Winner
Patrick Beverley
Speaking of symbolic acts, here’s the Rockets baller who understands them as well as perhaps anyone in the league. Beverley is a mean point guard wrecking ball who sets the tone for his team, and he kept in the vein of that tradition in 2014’s opener. He hip-checked Parsons at one point, a clear statement of identity. Dirty? Yes. But he injects a much-needed element of grit into his squad.
Beverley’s harsh words about his team’s defense were encouraging as well. Talent has never been the question in Houston—effort, oftentimes, has been. Whether or not his team is listening, there’s real value in Beverley speaking out about their greatest ailment. He might be behind Howard and Harden on the billing most nights, but Beverley is quickly becoming Houston’s emotional leader.
Verdict: Winner
Kostas Papanikolaou
Kostas Papanikolaou, the Rockets’ 24-year-old rookie from Greece, didn’t have an outstanding line against Dallas. He shot just 3-of-11 from the field. But he made two clutch, consecutive three-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep his team ahead and four pivotal free throws.
But most importantly, he simply made an impression.
"Permission to dub the 6-foot-9 Kostas Papanikolaou "Big Papa"?
— Adam Reisinger (@AdamReisinger) October 8, 2014"
Papanikolaou is a likable character, and his combination of bulk and ace shooting is a perfect fit within Houston’s three-heavy offense. You may not have heard of the Greek forward until now, but early indications are that he’ll be the the star of the team’s rookie crew.
Verdict: Winner
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