Van Gundy praises D’Antoni’s defense
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Early in the coaching careers of Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy and Rockets lead assistant Jeff Bzdelik, they had desks 10 feet apart for six years under Pat Riley with the Miami Heat.
Nearly 20 years later, both use some of the defensive principles from their time with the Heat.
“They went out and got Jeff Bzdelik, and Jeff ’s a great defensive coach,” Van Gundy said. “He did a great job when he was the head coach in Denver. He really understands defense. He has them playing a lot harder.
“The defense is getting better. Mike ’s( D’Antoni) always been a little better defensive coach than people have given him credit for.”
Van Gundy praised D’Antoni’s influence on James Harden, not just for naming him the point guard, but for creating a mentality to distribute first and handle the ball so often than he can be more patient looking for his own shot.
“Mike’s a great, great offensive coach, probably one of the best we’ve ever had in this league,” Van Gundy said. “They went out and constructed a great roster, but I think the job Mike’s done is to really convince Harden to not just be a scorer, but play like a point guard, make the right decisions and distribute the ball. I’ve got to think the other guys love playing with him.”
Pistons get slice of Little Caesars
The Rockets’ game against the Pistons on Monday is expected to be their last in Auburn Hills, the Pistons’ home since 1988.
The Pistons are expected to announce Tuesday plans to join the NHL’s Red Wings in Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit next season.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni, who played in the NBA when the Pistons were playing downtown in Cobo Arena, said the Palace served the Pistons well but was a fan of playing downtown.
“It’s been a good building,” D’Antoni said. “I don’t know where the 20-something years go, but it goes by quick. Being downtown will be fine. I played a long time ago in Cobo Arena. It will be good for Detroit, if that’s what they want.”
3-pointers serve two purposes
As much as the Rockets are known for their 3-point shooting, on pace to take and make more than any team in NBA history, they are among the league leaders in scoring inside.
After scoring 58 points in the paint Saturday against the Utah Jazz, they average 46.8 points in the lane, tied with the Warriors for fifth in the NBA.
The Warriors are third in 3-pointers per game, behind the Rockets and Cavaliers.
Four of Mike D’Antoni’s five Suns teams were in the top five in points in the paint.
“If you shoot 3s, it opens up the paint,” D’Antoni said. “That’s one thing we need to do, we try to do.”
Two Vipers called to NBA
The Rockets recalled rookie forward/center Chinanu Onuaku and forward Kyle Wiltjer from the Rio Grande Valley Vipers on Monday after five D-League games.
Onuaku averaged 13 rebounds and 12.2 points. Wiltjer averaged 21 points with the Vipers.
Neither was with the Rockets in Auburn Hills on Monday.
The Vipers are off until Saturday.