Rockets Aim to Quiet Thunder in Shumpert’s Debut
A Storm’s Coming. Rocket Moves. The Shump Factor.
A storm is coming to Houston. On Saturday night, the Rockets host the Thunder in a battle of potential playoff opponents. The Thunder have won 9 of 10 games, and currently sit in the 3rd spot, 3 games ahead of Houston in the standings. All-Star Starter Paul George is having the best season of his career, leading the Thunder in scoring. In their last game, Russell Westbrook had his 8th consecutive triple-double, one shy of the NBA record. Westbrook and George are arguably the most deadly one-two punch in the league, and the Rockets will have their hands full trying to contain them. The Thunder’s Steven Adams will pose problems to a Capela-less Rockets team in the paint. Nene and the Manimal need to play big in the post for the Rockets to a get a win. Houston looks to keep streaking and make it 4 in a row, after closing their road trip with 3 impressive victories. Tonight’s game is a pivotal one as the All-Star break approaches. A win puts the Rockets within 2 games of the Thunder, with a loss pushing them back to 4 games behind in the standings. Saturday’s contest will be a test of fortitude for the Rockets, and should provide a telling first look at their newest addition.
Houston made a few moves at the trade deadline, and Morey recently stated they’re expected to make more acquisitions once several players become available on the buyout market. The Rockets traded James Ennis to the Sixers for a future 2nd round pick. Ennis was starting see an uptick in minutes and improvement in play, but Houston obviously thought he wasn’t necessary in their equation for success. Ennis was solid in his short time with the Rockets, but had the look of a player who might fold under pressure in the playoffs. Houston offloaded Brandon Knight and Marquesse Chriss to Cleveland in a 3-team deal that brings versatile vet Iman Shumpert from Sac-Town to H-Town. Knight and Chriss never played many minutes, and the former Kings swingman is an upgrade over James Ennis at the small forward position. The Menace will be missed, but Morey brought in a different sort of menace in Shump, one whose presence will be felt immediately.
First, it was Austin Rivers, not long after Chris Paul went down. Then, it was Kenneth Faried, shortly after Clint Capela’s injury. And now, at the trade deadline time, it’s Iman Shumpert. Shump played with the Kings this season, and helped be a leadership presence for Sacramento’s younger core. Previously, Shumpert was on the Cavaliers team that made the Finals the previous 3 seasons, and he was a key piece of the rotation when the Cavs won the title in 2016. This season, Shumpert was instrumental in helping the Kings become one of the most improved teams in the NBA. His absence was sorely missed in Sacramento during their blowout loss to the Rockets in the teams’ previous game. Shumpert’s defense and experience will be the most important attributes he brings to this Houston squad. The versatile wing can guard positions 1-4, and is quick enough to switch on defense. Shump’s experienced, playing in 4 NBA Finals, and has always been best when playing with a superstar. He played with Carmelo in his happier-Knick days, LeBron in Cleveland, and now Harden in Houston.
The newest Rocket’s transition into D’Antoni’s system should to be seamless. Look for Shumpert to have an immediate impact on the floor for Houston, comparable to how Rivers and the Manimal contributed right away once they became Rockets. Once Clint Capela returns, if Houston can stay healthy, they have a deeper roster than last season. It’s a big “if”, but Shumpert’s addition to the lineup is another impressive find by Daryl Morey. Houston’s GM has been stellar all season long in finding unwanted players from other teams. Guys that not only keep the Rockets afloat, but improve the team. Iman Shumpert brings the same level of grit and intensity that Rivers and Faried added to the squad when they arrived. Before last season, Morey said he was caught between signing P.J. Tucker or Iman Shumpert. Now the Rockets have both. And with some luck in the health department, a storm is coming for the rest of the NBA.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Oklahoma City Thunder (35-19): Blue
Houston Rockets (32-22): “City Edition” Maroon
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