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Why all signs point to a turning of the tide for the Houston Rockets
Dec 14, 2022, 6:47 pm
This young Rockets team has become really fun to watch. Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images.
As of this writing, the Rockets have a two-game win streak going. To most, that statement would seem like a joke. A two-game winning streak isn’t much of a streak per se. However, when you’re talking about a team that hasn’t sniffed a playoff series in a few years and has drafted in the lottery lately, two games are two games. A streak is a streak. I’m choosing positivity. Winning four of their last six games and beating playoff teams in those four wins has me feeling good about where this team is headed.
The best part in all of this? The guys the team is picking to build around are stepping up. Jalen Green is starting to come into his own. He’s been feeling more and more comfortable on both ends of the floor. Hearing him talk about taking on the other team’s best perimeter players, but still upping his scoring, is music to my ears. His shooting percentages are down by a hair, but he’s averaging four more points this season over last season. Four more points on three more shots per game isn’t ideal, but I can see him putting things together. No sophomore slump over here.
Jabari Smith Jr is also becoming a guy this team can rely upon. His outside shooting has gotten better. I think it has more to do with him knowing his role and building chemistry with his teammates. Smith Jr is going to be the stretch four, the previous general manager never could get his hands on to pair with the dude with the beard. His defense and rebounding need to improve, but that’ll come with time. He’s a rookie, so we’re hoping he doesn’t have a sophomore slump either.
Kevin Porter Jr is doing his best to be a point guard. He’s naturally a shooting guard, so being a table setter and playmaker isn’t his forte. That said, he’s still got work to do. The organization obviously thinks highly of him by giving him an extension. They see what they want in him and think he’s one of the building blocks. Personally, I think he’s better suited to be a scorer, but they must like the potential in him as a point. Having a second guy that can get his own shot in a pinch is crucial, and KPJ provides them with just that.
Head coach Stephen Silas was in some rough waters not too long ago. Fans were calling for his head. Despite his seat being hot, he’s managed to steady the ship. They were 5-16 and going nowhere fast. Winning four of their last six games and beating playoff teams has changed the tune. Now people are seeing what I’ve always seen: Silas is the man for this job. He’s a proven young player developer. The phrase “let him cook” has never been more appropriate when it comes to what Silas is doing. Not only is he manning the ship of this turnaround (this season and overall), but he’s doing so in the midst of losing his Hall of Fame father, Paul Silas. He’s continuing his dad’s legacy by being a standup guy, and a coach his players believe in and play hard for.
Coach Silas has taken all the criticism in stride and so have his players. This team has gone from a laughingstock to a fun team to watch. No longer do I dread watching and turn games off. Now, I watch more intently. They’re more entertaining because they’re cleaning up mistakes and can be competitive in more of the games instead of being blown out the water. I’ve even seen them make comebacks, win or lose, in games they would’ve never had a chance in because of the way they play. They’re turning the corner. Add a couple more pieces, vets and draft picks, and this team will be contending for a playoff spot next season. If they aren’t in the conversation for at least a play-in spot next season, I’ll wear a Cowboys jersey and post a pic online. Book it!
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With the Astros now officially ten games under .500 for the season, manager Joe Espada is taking a lot of heat from the fanbase for the team's struggles.
While we don't agree with the sentiment, we even hear fans clamoring for the return of Dusty Baker and Martin Maldonado, thinking the Astros wouldn't be in this mess if they were still here.
Which is ridiculous. First of all, Maldonado has been awful for the White Sox, hitting .048 (even worse than Jose Abreu's .065). And for those of you that think his work with the pitching staff justifies his pathetic offense. Let me say this: Where was Maldy's game calling genius for Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier, and Framber Valdez last year? All of them regressed significantly.
And as far as Baker is concerned, we have no idea how much a difference he would make, we can only speculate. Baker would also be dealing with a pitching staff ravaged with injuries. And let's not forget, Baker was the guy that refused to move Jose Abreu down in the batting order, even though he would finish the regular season with the ninth-worst OPS in baseball.
The reality of the situation is managers can only do so much in baseball. Which leads us to something else that needs to be considered. Is Espada being handcuffed by the front office? Espada and GM Dana Brown both said recently that Jon Singleton was going to get more at-bats while they give Abreu time off to try to figure things out. Yet, there Abreu was in the lineup again in the opening game of the Cubs series.
It makes us wonder how much power does Espada truly have? The Astros have some other options at first base. Yainer Diaz may only have eight games played at the position, but how much worse could he be than Abreu defensively? Abreu already has four errors, and Diaz is obviously a way better hitter. Victor Caratini isn't considered a plus offensive player, but his .276 batting average makes him look like Babe Ruth compared to Abreu. Let him catch more often and play Diaz at first. Starting Diaz at first more often could also lengthen his career long-term.
Maybe that's too wild of a move. Okay, fine. How about playing Mauricio Dubon at first base? I understand he doesn't have much experience at that position, but what's the downside of trying him there? If he can play shortstop, he can play first base. He's driving in runs at a higher rate (11 RBIs) than everyone on the team outside of Kyle Tucker and Yordan Alvarez. And he's producing like that as part-time player right now.
The other criticism we see of Espada is his use of Jon Singleton to pinch hit late in games. Let's be real, though, who else does Espada have on the roster to go to? Batting Abreu late in games in which you're trailing should be considered malpractice. Espada can only use who he has to work with. This all really stems from the Astros poor farm system.
They don't have anyone else to turn to. The draft picks the club lost from the sign-stealing scandal are really hurting them right now. First and second rounders from 2020 and 2021 should be helping you in 2024 at the big league level.
Maybe they go to Astros prospect Joey Loperfido soon, but after a hot start he has only two hits in his last six games.
Finally, we have to talk about what seems like a committee making baseball decisions. Lost in a committee is accountability. Who gets the blame for making poor decisions?
As time continues to pass it looks like moving on from former GM James Click was a massive mistake. He's the guy that didn't sign Abreu, but did trade Myles Straw (recently DFA'd) for Yainer Diaz and Phil Maton. He also built an elite bullpen without breaking the bank, and helped the club win a World Series in 2022.
The reality of the situation is Dusty Baker and James Click are not walking back through that door. And all good runs come to an end at some point. Is this what we're witnessing?
Don't miss the video above as we hit on all the points discussed and much more!
Catch Stone Cold 'Stros (an Astros podcast) with Charlie Pallilo, Brandon Strange, and Josh Jordan. We drop two episodes every week on SportsMapHouston's YouTube channel. You can also listen on Apple Podcast, Spotifyor wherever you get your podcasts.