ROCKETS DROP SEASON OPENER
Westbrook’s gladiator mentality fun to watch, but it’s not enough to deliver victory
Not much can be won on opening night. It is a single ballgame, one of 82.
Likewise, little can be lost in an NBA season opener.
That the Rockets came up short in a home game to start the season was disappointing. Getting chased down and run over in the fourth quarter by the Milwaukee Bucks is not a good sign for this team’s long-term goal.
But while the 117-111 loss was a major minus, the debut of Russell Westbrook in a Rockets uniform was a significant positive.
Padded up like a futuristic gladiator, Westbrook powered his way to 24 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists, doing all he could to deliver a win. He didn’t have enough help.
While most of them bring hope, and championship dreams, debut games aren’t rarely this fun. But the ball of energy that is Westbrook brings joy to the soul, beauty to the eyes that behold.
“When the lights go on, he’s got that competitive spirit and then his athleticism kicks in he’s like a rocket out there, no pun intended,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said, alluding to Westbrook’s explosiveness, not his affiliation. “He goes nuts. He’s a
gamer. You thought that, but until you see it, you don’t know and today he gave a glimpse of that.”
Rockets fans cheered Westbrook as if he were a longtime local hero. They even chanted his nickname, “Brodie,” as he went to work in the fourth quarter.
That is more shocking than anything that ever happened on “The Wire,” the remarkable TV series from which the nickname is derived.
Of course, that hasn’t always been the case. Not long ago, the mere mention of his name riled up Rockets fans.
At times when the former Oklahoma City Thunder guard played at Toyota Center, he drew boos with every touch of the ball. And Westbrook used to touch the
ball as much as any player in the league not named James Harden.
That is one of the potential issues of the Rockets’ latest superstar tandem of former Most Valuable Players. The two of them keep telling us we’re making too much of deal about whether their pairing will work.
Thursday, Harden took the backseat, as his shot was off and the Bucks were collapsing on him such that passing was the smarter play.
Harden finished with 19 points, with 14 of those coming from the free-throw line, as he made only 2-of-13 shots. But he dished out 14 assists, which almost made up for the seven turnovers he committed.
Westbrook said he must do an even better job of helping Harden when defenses attack him as the Bucks did.
“That’s why I’m here — to be able to create for him, so he
doesn’t have to create and do everything like he is accustomed to doing,” Westbrook said.
The Rockets led by double digits for much of the game before falling apart late.
Eric Gordon hit just 4 of 19 shots and Harden didn’t make a field goal in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, the Rockets were 5-of-22 (22.7 percent) from the floor, including a paltry 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) on 3-pointers. Meanwhile, the Bucks went to work, scoring 39 points in the period on 57.1 percent shooting.
It could have been worse, were Westbrook not out there bouncing, barking and balling.
He creates extra opportunities with instinct and energy, something the Rockets have lacked in recent years.
On one possession, Gordon missed a 3-pointer, Westbrook stole the ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo on the rebound
and kicked out to Ben McLemore, who misfired from long range. Again, Westbrook came flying in to grab the offensive rebound and drew a foul.
(Speaking of MVPs, Antetokounmpo was splendid as usual, with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, though he fouled out with 5:18 to play.)
Watching this year’s Rockets should be a fun experience.
Westbrook racing up the floor after grabbing a rebound, making his way directly into the paint, then finding Gordon wide-open in the corner was a thing of beauty.
One trip after taking the shot the Rockets’ analytics department loathes — a 22-footer a step inside the 3-point line — Westbrook drained a trey from the same angle.
If he shoots a high percentage on that shot this season, the Rockets will be all but unguardable. Their #OneMission, this season’s theme, will be much more attainable.
The only other player in Rockets’ history to post more than 20 points, 15 rebounds and five assists in a season opener is Hakeem Olajuwon, who was seated courtside Thursday. That happened in 1993, the first game of the season the Rockets won their first NBA championship.
OK, let’s slow down a little, though Westbrook rarely does. The 6-foot-3 dynamo was spectacular, but he will need to be better — and can be better.
Winning is never secondary, but seeing Westbrook perform at such a high level as early as he is into his Rockets tenure is some salve on the wound.
It is going to be an exciting season.