Ennis focuses on teammates
DETROIT — As Rockets forward James Ennis III made his way around Little Caesars Arena on Friday, sharing greetings and hugs, it might have seemed that games against his previous team would hold special meaning for him. They do not.
Ennis was 3-of-5, all 3-pointers against the Pistons on Wednesday, scoring 14 points in the Rockets’ win in Houston. But Ennis said he did not feel any extra satisfaction from playing well against his former team or added motivation heading into Friday’s rematch, a 116-111 Pistons overtime win.
“That really didn’t come to my mind, if I played for them or not,” Ennis said. “I’m here to help this team win games the best I can.”
Ennis said he does feel more comfortable with the schemes and his role than he did early in the season.
“I felt I had a little trouble switching because my whole career I felt like I’ve been going over screens,” Ennis said. “I keep watching film and keep learning.”
Ennis also has been more confident as a shooter, putting up pull-up 3s in several games, rather than only in catch-and-shoot opportunities. In the four games prior to Friday’s, he averaged 31.5 minutes, averaging 13.8 points on 68.3 percent shooting while seeming more accustomed to the switching style defensively. He had played an average of 22.1 minutes in his first nine games, averaging 6.3 points on 39.2 percent shooting.
“I think all the players understand we encourage them to do that,” coach
Mike D’Antoni said. “If you’re open, you’re open. As long as people are unselfish and try to do the right thing, we encourage them to do it.”
Casey opines on post fouls
As one of the few coaches who uses a pair of big men largely operating in the paint, Pistons coach
Dwane Casey said the NBA’s emphasis on “freedom of movement” fouls should better protect post play.
“How do you call freedom of movement in the post?” Casey said. “It’s a bulldozer down there. A lot of teams have gone away from post- ups. We’re one of the few teams that really relies on a lot of post-ups. The emphasis is on the perimeter, freedom of movement. But down in the post, there’s a lot of banging, hitting. It’s very difficult to officiate. I would say that is something we have to look at as a league.”
The Pistons average 16.5 post-ups per game, second most in the NBA.
Bzdelik returns to full-time job
Associate head coach
Jeff Bzdelik returned to the Rockets on Friday after ending his retirement this month. Bzdelik had joined the Rockets for one day in Denver, but is back full time. He had stepped away in the final weeks of the season to address issues he would not specify, but said are completed.
“Just another set of eyes that helps,” coach Mike
D’Antoni said. “He’s a great coach. Roy ’s( Rogers) done an unbelievable good job, so we’re in a good place. Just having another voice, another set of eyes helps.”