Commitment to improve yields results for Hunter
Guard using summer play to build on what he did with Vipers
LAS VEGAS — R.J. Hunter could have taken a one-year deal on his two-way contract and looked to find a place on an NBA roster — with a full NBA contract — this summer. Most players would have thought of their G League time as something best to end quickly on the way to something else.
Hunter looked at the big picture.
The 6-5 guard decided he’d invest in himself, choosing to get time to try to improve with the long run in mind. Hunter signed last year for two seasons with the Rockets and their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, and then went to work.
“They gave me the option of a one- or two- (year contract),” Hunter said Monday. “Two (years) just gave me another comfortable summer to be in one city and just work on my game.”
The work has shown signs of paying off, with Hunter averaging 11.7 points on 44 percent shooting in the first games of the summer league, including his 24 points in a comeback victory over the Warriors when he made five 3-pointers on a night the Rockets needed someone to step up to keep them in the game.
“If it wasn’t for him, that game was probably over in the first half,” Rockets assistant coach Brett Gunning said. “For us to be down 10 at the half (after trailing by 17 points) when we couldn’t make a shot, luckily R.J. made a couple. If it wasn’t for R.J., we don’t win that game.”
Striving for consistency
More than win a summer league game, the Rockets want to see Hunter become consistent with his reads offensively and especially with his approach defensively. His shot will remain his strength. He made 37.7 percent of his 3-pointers with the Vipers, where he averaged 20.4 points in 45 games. The summer experience has been about becoming more well-rounded.
“The big thing is consistency, just being able to do his job every night,” Gunning said. “Doing his job is just making the simple play. If you’re not open, get downhill, get in the paint, get to the rim and either get a shot for himself or get someone else a shot. I know it sounds simple, but he just has to make the right play, the simple play over and over and over, which equates to limiting turnovers.
“Defensively, we’re obviously a team that switches a lot. He’s going to be in a position in which he gets caught on the block. He just has to play solid and if a post player makes a tough shot over him, you live with that. That’s an area he’s got to get better. He did a lot better (later in the game). He just has to make simple plays on both ends of the floor over and over and over.”
Hunter said his time with the Vipers helped him develop his offense beyond his catch-andshoot chances, as he has shown in Las Vegas, effectively driving off closeouts to his shot.
“I think that time, the time with the Vipers, I’ve grown the most, just improving my game, getting better at creating my shot,” Hunter said. “They were very good in helping me with that.”
He will not, however, look at his play this summer as an audition, although it could work out that way.
‘A bigger goal in mind’
The Rockets have three candidates for two-way contracts with Gary Clark, Vincent Edwards and Hunter. Any of the three could have his deal converted to an NBA contract if they progress enough and the Rockets have a roster spot to fill. But Hunter already has shown a determination to just improve and see where that gets him.
“It’s important, but I always have a bigger goal in mind,” Hunter said of summer league play. “I don’t want to put too much stock in this. I just try to take it possession by possession and try to get better.
“Me and (Rockets general manager) Daryl Morey had a real good conversation after the season. He just told me what I have to work on and kind of what they’re looking for from the wing position. All I can really do is focus on getting better and competing every game.”