With a shifting role, Black seeks to maintain rhythm
As difficult as Tarik Black’s job can be, having to accept sitting out most games and then be expected to be ready to fill in on nights Nene is given off, it could be especially tough this weekend.
The Rockets went into Saturday night’s game at Toyota Center planning to have Nene sit out one of the games in a back-toback, but would not determine which game until they knew if they needed him to defend Memphis’ Marc Gasol, a plan that left Black more in limbo that usual.
“That’s one of the reasons we have one of the best staffs in the country,” Black said. “Jason Biles (the Rockets’ head trainer) and those guys make sure I come in every day, get treatment, make sure my body is prepared. And then you have Javair (Gillett, the strength and conditioning coach) after every game, I go lift and do conditioning. Then you have John Lucas and Mike James on the court, getting my work in.
“There’s nothing like basketball rhythm. I have to get back on the court. As far as staying prepared, every day I come in here and prepare like I am playing. I do my same routine and after the game, if I don’t play, do extra work.”
Black got in extra work Friday with Nene sitting out the practice, but that is not the same as a game.
Going into Saturday’s game, Black had played in seven games, averaging 8.6 minutes per game. He played 2½ scoreless minutes Saturday.
“It’s tough because there’s no substitute for game conditions,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He tries. He stays ready. He does a lot of one-on-one. He takes care of himself. There’s nothing like being on the floor and getting into a rhythm.
“He doesn’t have that possibility. Not everybody can do it. He’s done well and we’ll try to do better at getting him on the floor some so he can get as much rhythm as he can.”
Mbah a Moute’s return a big help
In addition to the play the Rockets have gotten from Luc Mbah a Moute this season, his return after missing Thursday’s knee with a bruised left knee could be a well-timed boost to a short rotation with the Rockets starting a back-to-back Saturday against the Grizzlies at home before playing at Indiana on Sunday.
Mbah a Moute averages 27.8 minutes per game. With him out, Bobby Brown played five firsthalf minutes with the rest of Mbah a Moute’s usual playing time split among James Harden, Trevor Ariza and Eric Gordon.
“I think we ran out of a little steam last game,” coach Mike D’Antoni said before the Rockets beat the Grizzlies 111-96. “Especially now that we have a back-to-back and three games in four days, that will definitely help us.”
Grizzlies’ scheme usually effective
The Rockets went into Saturday night’s game — a 111-96 Rockets win — averaging 25 points per game less against the Grizzlies than the other 11 opponents they had faced.
The Grizzlies are the fourth-rated defense in the NBA, but seem especially well-equipped to defend the Rockets’ 3-point shooting with length and athleticism to switch defensive assignments and contest range shooting.
“I don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know,” Memphis coach David Fizdale said of the Grizzlies’ success. “I don’t want to act like I have the answer to it.
“I just feel like our guys are really trying to commit systematically to what we’re doing. We’re trying to slow down the powerhouse teams like this, the guys that can blow you out of the gym.
“More than anything, it started out with the kind of guys we tried to fill the roster with, guys with versatility and length.
“I don’t think we’re reinventing anything. J.B. Bickerstaff (associate head coach and Rockets former interim coach) has done an excellent job implementing our system, putting us in position to defend the 3 and the rim.”