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How Rockets blast into free agency has reshaped Houston's roster
Jul 3, 2023, 10:52 am
The Rockets made a flurry of moves in free agency. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
The Rockets went into the 2023 free agency period with money to spend and positions they wished to fill. When you're making the transition from perennial tanker and want to be taken seriously as a playoff contender, you need better players. Whether they're drafted, signed, or traded, acquiring better talent is key. When adding veteran talent to a young team that isn't used to winning, you have to add the right kind of vets. Guys who are used to winning, that'll help change the culture. Guys who work hard and take being a pro seriously.
Out the gate, the Rockets handed out the first max contract of the free agency period, signing Fred Van Vleet to a three-year deal worth $130 million. Some will say they overpaid, but I think they paid close to fair market value for a guy who was a key cog on a title team not long ago. He was third in steals per game last season, and shoots 37% from three for his career. Add that he's a good distributor and constant professional, it's easy to see why they paid him what they did. I said a couple weeks ago that Van Vleet was a stable option whose price would go up if others were interested. They had to throw big money at him to lure him away from the only NBA home he's known.
The Dillon Brooks signing was one I was conflicted about. Sure, he can be a three and D wing, but this team has guys who can play that role. Yes, but they don't have a guy who's proven in that role. The guys they have, haven't grown to this level yet. However, Brooks wasn't welcomed back in Memphis due to his antics this postseason. Poking the bear and dodging the media after games where you performed poorly was enough for them. Include his other goofball tendencies, and it's clear why they moved on. Brooks won't be allowed to get away with things like that under Udoka. That's why I'm warming up to the idea of having him on this team. Come in, be a pro, do your job, and STFU. I'll reserve the nickname I have for him until he messes up.
“WHO?!?” That was my legit reaction to hearing Jock Landale's signing. I looked him up and realized it was the guy I saw play some okay minutes for the Suns. He's not going to stick out in any one category. What he will do is be a solid inside presence on defense. Having him playing inside in tight games down the stretch will prove valuable because he can also hit his free throws since he's a career 77% from the charity stripe. Tough mentality, doesn't need plays called for him, and the Suns actually played him over Deandre Ayton at times.
Jeff Green is a pro's pro. The guy thought his career was over at one point with a heart condition. He took time off, got healthy, and resumed his career. This past season, he was one of the key role-playing vets on a Nuggets team that won the title. Green wore a Seattle Supersonics hat to the parade because that was the team that drafted him out of Georgetown. He's a guy that knows the game and knows what it takes to be an NBA player for over ten years. I'd want a Jeff Green on any team I'm coaching, regardless of the sport.
When Ime Udoka said this, people read all sorts of things into it. One thing is for sure, they stuck with this plan. James Harden, Kyrie Irving, and Zion Williamson did not fit this description. Dillon Brooks doesn't fit this description in my opinion, but they obviously feel otherwise. One of the smartest things the team did was getting a team option for Van Vleet's third year. They have to approach free agency with another boat load of cash to spend in two years when Jalen Green and other guys are eligible for rookie extensions. While Jeff Green is an older vet on a one-year deal, the other contracts aren't as outrageous as we might think. Brooks' deal can be moved, so can Landale's. They got better while maintaining flexibility. I may not agree with everything, but I understand why they did what they did. Phase Two, here they come!
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How Rockets' latest financial gambles shake up the team and its future
Oct 22, 2024, 3:10 pm
C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans are looking for answers after their passing game couldn’t get going in a loss to the Green Bay Packers.
Houston’s passing attack had been a strength all season, and the Texans ranked fifth in yards passing per game through their first six games. But on Sunday at Lambeau Field, Stroud was limited to a career-low 86 yards in the 24-22 loss, which snapped a three-game winning streak.
Stroud was 10 of 21 and didn’t have a touchdown pass for the first time this season. The second-year player was under duress for much of the day and was sacked four times and hit seven other times.
“We have to go back to the drawing board and see what those issues were,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “As we watch the film, we’ll see what happened, starting for me the communication and just guys being on the details of the job.”
'Everything is on the table. We have to get it fixed' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on offensive line and if personnel changes are being contemplated @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/AwK0rqeU2z
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
The Texans scored a season-high 41 points in a win over New England a week earlier in which Stroud threw a season-best three touchdown passes despite being without star receiver Nico Collins.
They were unable to replicate that success Sunday with Collins out for the second of at least four games after a hamstring injury landed him on injured reserve.
Stefon Diggs led the team with five receptions against the Packers, but they only amounted to 23 yards. Tank Dell, who the Texans expected to step up with Collins out, was targeted four times but didn’t have a catch.
Stroud discussed the importance of getting Dell more involved in the offense.
“We have to find a way to try and get him the rock early and often and then go from there,” he said. “It has to be a focus for us, not only just him, but the whole offense clicking early. That is really my job to get the ball out on time and to where it is supposed to go. So yeah, that definitely has to be fixed.”
Ryans spoke about his confidence is getting Dell going.
'I have all the faith in Tank' #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed confidence in Tank Dell ability to get back to making explosive plays again as he did as a rookie @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/bojBEx3lYo
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 21, 2024
What's working
The Texans have forced seven turnovers combined in their last two games after they hadn’t caused any in their previous three games.
Houston scored 16 points off three turnovers Sunday. The Texans had two interceptions and recovered a fumble on a punt. In their win over the Patriots, they scored 17 points off a season-high four turnovers.
What needs help
The Texans won’t get to where they want to be this season if Stroud doesn’t get back on track. Before Sunday, last year’s AP Offensive Rookie of the Year was averaging more than 262 yards passing a game, giving the team confidence that the problems in the passing game are fixable.
Ryans knows the line must give Stroud more time to throw and said the coaching staff will focus on improving in that area this week.
Stock up
RB Joe Mixon continued to shine Sunday in his second game back after missing three games with an ankle injury. Mixon, who is in his first season in Houston after a trade from Cincinnati, had 25 carries for 115 yards and two touchdowns against Green Bay.
Mixon is confident the Texans will rebound this week if they quit making mistakes.
“Does it look I’m worried? I’m not worried at all,” he said. “Like I said, we got a ... good football team. At the end of the day, we are our own worst enemy.”
Stock down
Dell was unable to help Stroud get the passing game going. The second-year player had a solid rookie season with 709 yards receiving and seven touchdowns in 11 games before breaking his leg. But he hasn’t been able to build on that success this year and has just 194 yards receiving with one score in six games.
Injuries
LB Azeez Al-Shaair (knee), LB Henry To’oTo’o (concussion), CB Kamari Lassiter (shoulder) and S Jimmie Ward (groin) all missed Sunday’s game and it’s unclear if any of these starters can return this week.
Key number
3 — Safety Calen Bullock had his third interception Sunday to tie Dunta Robinson and Jumal Rolle for most interceptions by a rookie in franchise history through the first seven games. He leads NFL rookies in interceptions this season and is tied for third-most among all players.
Next steps
The AFC South-leading Texans (5-2) return to division play Sunday when they host the second-place Colts (4-3), who have won two in a row and four of five.