Daily Rocket Science: Right Man for the Job

By Fansided and Ben Casey/FanSided via Space City Scoop
Published

The Rockets have made a step up this season. After making the playoffs while posting a .500 record last year, they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the league this time around.

James Harden was a good basketball player before the Rockets hired Mike D’Antoni, but he’s even better now. With the new coach’s leadership, his game allows players like Clint Capela and Ryan Anderson to live up to their full potential. They fit perfectly alongside the Beard in Houston’s Three-or-Dunk offense. After trying to put several ball-dominant point guards in the lineup with Harden, the Rockets found that Patrick Beverley, with his tenacity and adaptability, was already a perfect fit.

Simply put, the Rockets have filled each position with the the right man for the job. Now, it’s paying hefty dividends for the NBA’s biggest surprise in 2016-2017.

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After burnouts with teams on both coasts, Mike D’Antoni has found a place to call home in Houston. Bill Reiter of CBS Sports writes that when the Knicks chose to keep Carmelo Anthony over D’Antoni a few years ago, they made the wrong decision.

Another player who has turned out to be a perfect fit with the Rockets is Montrezl Harrell. The 22-year-old has been tasked with filling in for Capela during his absence, and has done so admirably. His energy is infectious, but he’s bringing more to the table than just that. The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen argues that he’s learning quickly and has developed into a very good NBA player.

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    The Rockets might have some luck to thank for how well this year has gone, but luck only goes so far. GM Daryl Morey is the mastermind behind Houston’s success, and he’s proved that he’s the right man for his job. However, he isn’t only interested in basketball, according to Hunter Atkins of the Houston Chronicle. One of his biggest passions is musical theater, something that seems both wild and yet perfectly fitting.

    In a myriad of ways, this year’s Houston team has been the best it could possibly be, and that’s largely due to Morey’s analytics. He figured out how to assemble a perfect new-age basketball team, and did so.

    The 3rd seed Rockets take on the 4th seed Clippers tomorrow night, and have an opportunity to further prove themselves a real threat. P-Bev will return to the lineup and should be ready to make Chris Paul‘s night not fun.