Transition defense improves
The Rockets’ transition defense went from a preseason point of emphasis to an opening-night issue. They hope the games since indicate it has become a strength.
“We have to get better in transition,” forward Ryan Anderson said. “Our transition defense has been good. Now, we need to be better on transition offense.”
That bit of role reversal might have been inspired by the opener against the Warriors, who scored 36 fast-break points. The Rockets allowed six against the Kings the next night and none against the Mavericks on Saturday, an improvement that coach Mike D’Antoni said would be key with the Grizzlies, whom the Rockets face twice this week, including Monday at Toyota Center, looking to run this season.
“We had to make it a big point because Golden State really exploited us there,” D’Antoni said. “We tried to make it a point before the season. I think we got their attention a little more. It’s crucial.”
Harden the best in West last week
Rockets guard James Harden was named the Western Conference player of the week after leading the Rockets to a 3-0 record.
Harden averaged 27.7 points, nine assists, four rebounds and 1.67 steals last week with the Rockets winning on the road against the Warriors and Kings before Saturday’s blowout of the Mavericks in the home opener.
Harden has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week a franchise-record 14 times since being traded to the Rockets before the 2012-13 season.
Weber signed to two-way deal
The Rockets reached an agreement with guard Briante Weber on a twoway contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said. He will be assigned to Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ G League affiliate.
Weber, who has played with the Grizzlies, Heat, Warriors and Hornets, is the second point guard the Rockets have on a two-way contract. Demetrius Jackson is in the Rockets’ rotation with Chris Paul out because of a bruised left knee.
Because the two-way contracts do not count against the Rockets’ roster limit of 15 players, they still have one roster spot open, with plans to keep it that way for roster flexibility or if they need to convert Jackson’s contract to a full NBA deal if he surpasses his allotment of 45 days with the team.
The Rockets also assigned Troy Williams and Chinanu Onuaku to the Vipers for the start of the G League training camp on Monday.
D’Antoni excited for Astros’ run
For Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, the Astros’ success has been especially pleasing because of manager A.J. Hinch.
He is far from the only recent Astros fan among the Rockets, who had Saturday’s Game 7 on in the locker room immediately after their game and who have attended several games. But D’Antoni, a former Suns coach, has known Hinch since Hinch was the Diamondbacks’ director of player development from 2006-09 and has followed his career since even before following Hinch to Houston.
“Really happy for him,” D’Antoni said. “They had an unbelievably great year. I hope they can top it off with a championship. Everybody’s pulling for them, obviously. They’re fun to watch.”