Christopher steps into a nice groove
There were assorted theories to explain Josh Christopher’s improvement. All were valid but missed the essential change.
Rockets coach Stephen Silas said Christopher has felt less pressure to immediately produce when he got on the court. Kevin Porter Jr. cited Christopher’s relentless work ethic. Christopher even opined that he has a better feel for where to get his shots.
But then, Christopher hit upon the real change.
“More R&B music, for sure,” he said. “More R&B music during my workouts. Just slowing down.”
It turns out, all the Rockets’ second-year guard needed was to add more Teddy Pendergrass, Sade, Ray Charles, Prince, Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder to his routine. It has been known to work for others.
“My dad got me a new vinyl record for Christmas so after each home game, he’ll surprise me with a new record,” Christopher said.
More than his tastes have gravitated to old school. He did say “record” and “vinyl.”
“Vinyl’s cracking, for sure,” Christopher said. “It makes me feel real smooth.”
There have been other factors in Christopher’s turnaround beyond being smoother. His playing time remains limited, primarily as Jalen Green’s backup, but it has become more consistent than in the first half of the season. He has scored in double figures in 10 of his past 22 games after scoring 10 or more points once in his first 31 games.
In his past 22 games, he has averaged 8.3 points on 50.3 percent shooting after averaging 3.2 points on 40.2 percent shooting in his first 31 games. His 3point shot has most dramatically come around, making 38.9 percent of his attempts from 3-point range in the past 22 games after connecting on just 5 of 34 3s in his first 33 games played this season.
“Josh stays ready,” Porter said. “He comes in here, he’ll be the last one (to leave,) the first one to show up. He’s just a gym rat. He’s always going to be ready. His opportunity is coming. You see it. Each game. He’s a gifted scorer. He’s been opening his wings a little bit.”
If there was frustration with his inconsistent playing time or even his relatively limited role, Christopher did not show it. The readiness allowed him to take advantage of the increased opportunity since late January, and especially since the trade deadline when Eric Gordon was dealt to the Clippers.
Christopher has played an average of 15.8 minutes per game since then. Among Rockets regulars in those 22 games, he is second in scoring per minute, behind only Green.
“He is always ready, always ready to play,” Silas said. “He is a really good worker. I know I probably say this about everybody, but he is one of the guys I talk to the most. You kind of know what you’re going to get when you put him in the game. He’s going to be aggressive offensively, and look to score, and that’s a good thing to have coming off the bench. And then defensively, he’s going to try.
“He is not pressing quite as much because he’s in the rotation. I think before, when he was kind of in and out of the rotation, it was a little bit tougher for him because he was trying to prove ‘I need to play more, I need to play.’ So, he was pressing and taking a little bit tougher shots than he would if he were a little bit more comfortable. He’s been solidly in the rotation and that leads to more comfort for him and better shot selection, usually.”
Silas said Christopher also has been more willing to seek coaches’ help and ask questions to better understand and recognize coverages. Some of that, Christopher said, was because last season there were more veterans around. But he also knew he needed to learn.
“I think I needed as much help as possible,” he said. “I was aware of that. Being a young player, you have to be willing to ask for help.”
More than that, however, he grew into the job. There is a difficult balance in his playing style. He has to be aggressive with the ball to be effective, but he cannot force things. He needs to shoot with confidence, but he is not a standstill shooter. He has been better at picking his spots, allowing him to be more efficient.
“I’m growing up,” Christopher, 21, said. “I’m in my second year. Of course, with more experience, I’m going to keep on getting better. Me slowing down is a part of me getting better. I’m starting to read the game a little more and I’m more decisive. It’s helped a lot.
“My teammates tell me to go out there and be myself. Coaches tell me to be myself. I watch a lot of tape. I stay in the gym. It makes everything easier, on top of me knowing when I’m going to play, and I am in the rotation.”
Whether that came on the practice court, with an attitude adjustment or by channeling smooth music, does not matter. But it probably comes from all of the above. And there is a reason to credit his father’s musical tastes and influence.
“Rhythm is everything in the NBA,” Christopher said. “I’m making my way through it.”