Rockets vs. Hornets Post-Game 2/4/20

Rockets Buzz Past Hornets, 125-110, For Third Straight Win

Defending Home.    Drafted, Developed… Ditched.    End of a Chapter.

The Rockets finished off a perfect home-stand, with a 125-110 win over the Hornets on Tuesday night. James Harden led the way, as Russell Westbrook continues to nurse his wrist. The Beard finished with 40 points, 12 dimes, and 9 rebounds. Danuel House Jr. continues to emerge back to his early season form of consistency. House scored 22 points, and grabbed 9 boards on the night. P.J. Tucker had 13 points and 10 rebounds (something he’ll be asked to do a lot of in the future), as Houston won their third straight game. The Rockets improved to a stellar 18-2 when they score at least 120 points. Despite the winning streak, and having notched victories in six of eight games… this Rocket-ship has been shaken. Big changes have been made for the rest of the season.

As the NBA’s trade-deadline approached, the Rockets made the biggest in-season deal in the James Harden-era. Houston’s GM Daryl Morey just went all-in on Houston’s small-ball style, trading Clint Capela to the Atlanta Hawks for Minnesota’s Robert Covington in a four-team trade involving twelve players. Those were the big names in the deal. Houston also dealt Gerald Green, Nene, and a future first-round pick, and got RoCo and Jordan Bell. Earlier today, before the deadline, the Rockets swapped Bell for Bruno Caboclo in a head-scratching move. Bell is the more experienced player, and Caboclo played in Houston a few seasons ago. Regardless, it doesn’t matter, neither player will see much court time. The big news is Capela for Covington. The Rockets have sought RoCo’s services since last off-season, when Houston and his name were linked in potential moves. And on Tuesday night, after the Rockets 3rd straight win, and improving to 4-0 playing micro-ball, Morey decided to  finally get his man. We’ll have to wait and see how the move impacts Houston. The Rockets’ GM has a history of making the right moves, but this is a big risk. It’s sad to see Clint Capela go. The Rockets drafted Clint, and saw him grow from a raw unknown player into the verge of an NBA-All Star during his time in Houston. Besides being an underrated big man, who suffered from injuries (that I believe influenced this deal), Capela was great with the fans. Frequently stopping for pictures and autographs, Capela was also the host in terms of entertainment on Houston’s big-screen scoreboard during time-outs. The leagues is moving in a new direction, and Capela’s inability to shoot the three shows how perimeter-oriented the Rockets, and the NBA, have becomes. Houston had one of the league’s best young big-men, but now he’s gone to Georgia. All their chips are in on the small-ball style. And if they’re going to do this, the Rockets got the right man.

Welcome to Houston, Robert Covington. Or welcome back, Covington played in 7 games with the Rockets in his first season back inn 2013-14. Covington, aka RoCo, is the definition of a 3-and-D player. Covington has been especially hot of-late from three, and is a great defender on the perimeter. The move essentially creates space for Harden and Westbrook to attack at all times, with multiple open shooters on the permitter ready to launch threes. It’s the definition of what’s evolved into today’s style of Houston Rockets basketball. Capela was a casualty of the Russell-Westbrook trade. The Rockets needed to create more space. And with RoCo, Houston now gets to play exactly how they want. Expect Houston, who already lead the league in three’s attempted per game, to launch even more shots from distance. This is the biggest in-season move the Rockets have made with Harden at the helm. Green will likely be back next season, as his contract was bought out from Denver, the team acquiring him.  But if the Rockets win this year, Green won’t get a ring, which doesn’t feel right. Gerald has been along for the ride since Houston scooped him up from his couch, two seasons ago. And giving up a first-rounder in addition to Nene and Green for basically only RoCo, doesn’t makes sense, other than for financial reasons. The Rockets still have two open roster-spots to fill on the buyout-market. Houston still needs a big man. They’ll find one before the playoffs, it won’t be someone on Capela’s level, but for now, the Rockets just need size, for certain matchups. And to give P.J. Tucker a break, who will now officially become Houston’s starting center. Many, including myself, are questioning this trade. But if Covington adjusts to Houston’s style as expected… this move could come as an unexpected surprise.