Additions share connection
Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk had been on the floor for 81 seconds Wednesday when Olynyk began posting up James Harden, moving across the lane with a slow dribble and a long look around.
Bradley took off across the baseline, Olynyk not even turning his head as he delivered his pass to him at the rim for a layup.
No play had been called, which was a good thing, Bradley said, because neither has had time to learn the Rockets’ plays. They do, however, know each other.
As they return to Boston on Friday as teammates for the first time since they played together for the Celtics for most of four seasons, their familiarity with one another stands out.
No Rockets teammates have played more games together than Bradley and Olynyk, the veterans acquired last week when the Rockets sent Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat. It shows.
“We definitely have a little bit of familiarity,” Olynyk said. “I know his game. He knows mine. That helps. I know what he’s going to do, where to look for him, his spots. You don’t really lose that.
“That’s kind of a crazy stat that me and him have played more together than any other two teammates on our team. We’re moving forward with it. Hopefully, we can bring that chemistry.”
With Christian Wood back after missing Olynyk’s first two games with the Rockets, Houston often will pair Bradley and Olynyk, playing them along with D.J. Augustin in a veteranheavy second unit. The Rockets, amid a season of constantly changing lineups and rotations, can use any advantage that might come with their familiarity with one another. But there could be additional benefits from their example.
“I feel like we have some chemistry,” Bradley said. “Not only that, but Kelly is a smart player. He plays the right way. And I look at myself the same way. We try to make the right plays. When we’re on the floor together, it just makes the game that much easier.
“We even spoke about that. It always helps having guys that know how to play. Right now, me and Kelly don’t even know any of the plays. We’re just out there playing basketball and trying to make the right plays. We can help these guys. I feel like it’s our job as veteran players to help these younger players understand the game faster.”
That job description has changed dramatically for both with the trade. Bradley was with the Lakers last season, though he opted out of the NBA bubble. He and Olynyk were on the team the Lakers beat for the championship. The Rockets were 12-31 on the day of the trade.
Bradley, however, said he is happy with the revised role and indicated he would welcome a return to
SCOUTING THE ROCKETS
The Rockets offensive rating in the past eight games, since beginning to get some regulars back in the lineup, has ranked 14th in the NBA. In fourth quarters in that stretch, they have scored just 96.9 points per 100 possessions, tied for last. … The Rockets make a league-worst 34.8 percent of their shots, 25.6 percent of their 3-pointers in ‘clutch situations’ (with a margin of five or fewer points in the final five minutes), while playing in in the fewest games (16) with clutch situations. … The Rockets ranked 11th in the NBA in defensive rating before the All-Star break, 29th since. … Guard Kevin Porter Jr. has scored at least 20 points in five of his 10 games with the Rockets. He is averaging 20 points on 46 percent shooting as a starter. … Forward Danuel House Jr. has scored in double figures in six of his past seven games played, making 60 percent of his 3-pointers in that stretch. … Center Christian Wood has made just 25 percent of his 3-pointers in his seven games since returning from a sprained ankle. He had made 42.1 percent before the injury. … Center Kelly Olynyk has averaged 18.3 points on 62.5 percent shooting in his three games with the Rockets. the Rockets, who hold a team option on his contract next season and beyond. Besides his years playing with Olynyk, he cited
SCOUTING THE CELTICS
The Celtics led by as much as 36 points with the Boston bench scoring 63 points in a rout of the Rockets last month in Toyota Center. … The Celtics rank 21st in defensive rating, 21st since the All-Star break. … The Celtics are the second-most efficient scoring team in transition in the NBA but rank 19th in fast-break scoring. … The Celtics are third in the NBA in offensive rebounding percentage, but rank 12th in second-chance points per game. … Guard Jaylen Brown is averaging career-bests or 24.5 points, 3.7 assists and 48.5 percent shooting. In his past 10 games, he has made 40.7 percent of his 3s, averaging 3.9 per game. … Forward Jayson Tatum, averaging a careerbest 25.3 points per game, is making 45 percent of his attempts for a third consecutive season. … After missing all 10 of his shots in his first game with the Celtics, guard Evan Fournier went 3 of 6 against the Mavericks on Wednesday. He is 0 for 7 on 3s with Boston.
13 years of friendship with John Wall, going to the same high school, Findlay Prep, as Christian Wood and being from the same Seattle area as Kevin Porter Jr.
Additionally, Rockets assistant coach Will Weaver was a Longhorns assistant when Bradley played at Texas in 2009-10, two years after Augustin.
“It feels good,” Bradley said. “A lot of people would think this is a tough situation seeing I came from the Lakers and then Miami. But I look at it as a positive. I’m hoping I can stay here for the long term and hopefully finish my career here. I love being back in the state of Texas, and I love the organization so far.
“I’m still figuring out my role here, but I can say so far I’ve loved being with these guys. I feel like it’s my job to help (Porter) improve every single day on the court and off the court. That’s my main role: bringing that leadership.”
The Rockets hope filling the floor with a mix of veterans and young players — rather than just developmental players — will help Porter and rookies Jae’Sean Tate and KJ Martin. It is not just that the players added have been around; they are particularly savvy, versatile players.
“We didn’t just bring in veteran guys,” coach Stephen Silas said. “We brought in character veteran guys who are willing to sacrifice, are willing to pull guys aside and teach. They do things the right way. To have those three guys, especially, is very important for our building, growing.”
Silas said he hopes “the connection” Olynyk and Bradley bring will carry over. That chemistry was forged in Boston, with Friday’s return offering a reminder of when they were young players trying to find their way.
“It’s where it started for both of us,” Olynyk said. “We both got drafted here, played a good chunk of our careers here. It’s a pleasure being back.”
More than just playing in Boston, Bradley said, “I became a man here, drafted at 19. This will always be home for me.”
Yet after two games with the Rockets, he sounded as if he felt at home again, in part because of a partnership with a familiar face.