Rested Rockets Resume Action in Atlanta, Face Young Hawks
The Biggest Loser. Traplanta. Deadline Moves.
“I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, d***less, hopeless, heartless, fat-ass, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of sh** he is! Hallelujah!!” It’s one of Clark’s many rants in the film Christmas Vacation. A rant many Rocket fans would love to express to owner Tilman Fertitta, as the team returns from their own Christmas Vacation. Houston’s had four days off, a rarity during the regular season, and the Rockets’ biggest layover of the year. But why are Rockets fans suddenly expressing similar feelings Clark had during his rant? Because Houston just waived their own young stud, UC product Gary Clark, to free up an open roster spot. January 7th was the NBA’s deadline to guarantee player salaries, with the Rockets putting more faith in Benny Mac and Harty. And both players are needed, but don’t understate the importance of Gary Clark. Granted, the team’s said he might have the option to return… but will he want to, or decide to test his waters elsewhere? Who knows. Clark didn’t receive many minutes (at all) on a stacked Rockets squad, but he shined in the majority of opportunities thrown his way. UC’s finest is a mistake-prone, hard-working, team-first oriented player who can knock down the open trey. Why Houston waived him is hard for me to comprehend, other than doing it for the sake of being cheap and petty. No offense to Thabo Sefolosha, but Clark’s impact is more valuable to Houston. GC has a Ben McLemore potential ceiling if given the minutes. Unfortunately, Clark never got a real chance to show his potential over a large sample size. What’s sad is Houston barley uses Thabo, and at this point in the respective players’ careers, Clark is a budding young player with potential for sixth man material, while Sefolosha continues to slide down peak mountain.
A business move for the luxury tax, opposed to one improving the team. The NBA is a multi-billion dollar business, and owners have paid the right to do what they want. But it’s no fun when the person owning your business isn’t interested in success. Nonetheless, the move isn’t dire for the Rockets. Whether he returns, or stays on the market to join another team, unless the injury bug replicates furiously, Clark’s playing time wouldn’t be increasing much with Houston. At least not this season. Regardless, he’s only going to get better, and like McLemore, once Clark gets a “green light” opportunity at serious minutes, his talent and versatile be obvious for all to see. At the moment, the Rockets have arguably the deepest team in basketball, although they’re still thin in the frontcourt. Which begs the question, since Gary Clark can play the stretch four (he’s even played the five for portions at a time), why did Houston waive the young gun? Hopefully, the organization’s top dogs realize the long-term value Clark brings on the court and in the locker room. For now, the Rockets will fly on to Atlanta without Clark.
Houston returns from their own mini-vacation. The Rockets have had the last four days off before Wednesday’s matchup with the Hawks. Not considering All-Star break, it was the squad’s longest break of the year. James Harden and the Rockets face a Hawks team who own the league’s worst record, at 8-29. Houston should win this game, but the Rockets probably will be rusty. Four days off can when you typically have only one, understandably throws a team off. Hopefully, the Rockets can avoid the inevitable rust. Russell Westbrook isn’t playing in Atlanta, but Houston should win with or without Brodie. Russ will play on Thursday, the back-half of the Rockets double-dip this week, when he makes his first return to Oklahoma City since joining Houston. That’s a big game in itself. The Thunder, especially Chris Paul, have been on a roll. The Rockets need to avoid overlooking the Hawks on Wednesday night, before their primetime Thursday matchup.
Despite having the league’s worst record, Atlanta’s no joke. Trae Young’s the real deal. The Hawks point guard is a genuine superstar in-the-making, having a stellar sophomore season. Atlanta has other young guns who will pose threats to a rusty Rocket-squad. Shooting guard Kevin Heurter has really found his groove of late, and is a lights out shooter from deep for the Hawks. If Houston leaves Huerter open, they’re in for a long night in the ATL. John Collins recently returned from an injury, and the forward is another youthful asset on rebuilding Atlanta squad. Lottery pick De’Andre Hunter is starting to show signs of promise. The Rockets need to shake off any rust and prepare to blow by the Hawks on Wednesday night. Houston’s a far superior team to lose to Atlanta on Wednesday night. Still, if the Rockets fall back on their worst habit, playing down to their competition, a loss is always potentially in the books. Houston’s coming off two if their best wins of the season, convincing victories over two of the NBA’s best (Denver and Philly). Rested and confident, the Rockets can’t get too cocky in Atlanta, or they could be outrun by the Hawks’ young guns. Wednesday night is the definition of a trap game. Returning from a sizable break, playing the worst team on the road, with Wesbrook’s OKC return looming Thursday, Houston has to tone out all the noise. The squad remains only half game behind the Nuggets, and tied in the loss column. Denver plays the Rockets twice in the upcoming weeks. Houston’s had too many bad losses that’s cost them in the standings. The Rockets should be the top seed, but they’ve lost a handful of games to inferior teams.
It’s time Houston’s “toying with inferiority” ends Wednesday night. James Harden and company have plenty of ammo to down the Hawks in Atlanta. With or without Gary Clark. But come playoff time, again the NBA’s beasts, that could be an entirely different story. Clark plays hard on every possession, and he’s a born winner, team-oriented type of player. The type of player that fits perfectly on the Houston Rockets. Who knows, maybe they’ll bring Clark back for their upcoming playoff run. Along with a a trophy that rhymes with Gary in June. What a sight that would be… Hallelujah!
State Farm Arena: Atlanta, Georgia
Jersey Colors:
Atlanta Hawks (8-29): Red
Houston Rockets (24-11): White
TV: 6:30 PM CT – AT&T Sportsnet SW