GREAT ANTICIPATION, BUT GREATER EXPECTATIONS.
Intriguing blend of old, new faces opens with Pelicans
For reasons both personal and public, shared and distinct, the Rockets more than looked forward to Wednesday night’s beginning of a new season. More than just enjoying the traditional celebration of a season opener, the Rockets have needed this night, this chance to finally, officially start over.
“It’s always like that when you have a really good team,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “You want to get back and get going. I think we were ready to roll, re-energized a week after the season was over. We know it’s a hard task … but it should be a great year.”
For the Rockets, the shortest offseason in most of their careers was interminable, but at least it will bring another chance to chase the championship that so painfully remained just beyond their grasp. For the many new faces, it offers a fresh start. For each part of the roster, it is a chance to address both unfinished business and the same heady possibilities.
“I think the saying kid in a candy store is a little bit of an understatement,” Rockets forward Carmelo Anthony said. “For me, I’m ready to get this thing going. It’s been a long time coming for myself. For this team, for this organization, this time of the season … is to get off on the right track, kind of enjoy the game and have fun, start something new, start something beautiful.”
Facing the New Orleans Pelicans at Toyota Center, the Rockets are retooled but with the focus on last season’s one goal even sharper having held double-digit leads against the champion Warriors in Games 6 and 7 of the Western Conference finals last spring only to fall short.
“(Wednesday) is what we’ve been waiting for since Game 7,” Rockets CEO Tad Brown said. “Everybody is ready. We’re in a position we feel like can compete for a championship. We need to do our work. We need to stay healthy. We need to follow the grind of the season. But we feel really good about where we are and what we’re going to accomplish this year.”
One goal in mind
Asked what expectations he has for the season, guard James Harden laughed and said only “championship.”
The Rockets have said their changes since last season — replacing Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute and Ryan Anderson with James Ennis III, Michael Carter-Williams and Anthony — have added excitement to workouts, if only by keeping things fresh. But after a 4-1 preseason, matching last season, there is optimism about the additions doing more than that.
“Everybody fits perfect with our team,” forward P.J. Tucker said. “Everybody made a good transition to doing what we want to do. And everybody is figuring it out. It’s been fun so far. I’m excited to get the season started.
“Adding Melo and adding Michael Carter-Williams, having a third point guard, I think that’ll give us a change, too, because his pace is different. He plays different from James or Chris (Paul).”
Having Ennis start at the small forward spot Ariza manned for four seasons has kept much of the rest of D’Antoni’s rotation intact. Paul will typically play the first six minutes of each half, with Eric Gordon subbing in to play in a backcourt with Harden and remain on the floor when Harden returns to replace Paul.
Tucker will leave the floor early in each half to check back in at center for Clint Capela when the Rockets go to their small lineups as they did throughout the series against the Warriors.
“I think it makes it easier for returning guys,” Tucker said of keeping the rotation much as it was last season.
Carmelo off the bench
Still, with eight new players on the roster, three in the rotation, there is also a hunger that comes with the newcomers. Anthony, in particular, is playing with something to prove at this stage of his career as he heads into his 16th NBA season.
After his high-profile exit from New York and unsatisfying season in Oklahoma City, Anthony will come off the bench for the first time in his career. But the bright spotlight that has followed him from team to team has not dimmed with the change in his role.
Asked if that has put a chip on his shoulder, Anthony said, “I think a chip is too small to say.
“I will say I’m motivated just to get this season going and finally start a new chapter in my life and my career, kind of put last year behind me,” Anthony said. “I’m very motivated, very excited. I’m anxious to get out there and get this thing going and get back to playing basketball in … a fun environment with a team that will have high expectations.
“We can win a championship. It starts (Wednesday).”
At long last.