The Houston Rockets made one of the biggest moves in the offseason by signing Dwight Howard to a contract, but the most important move they make this offseason could be deciding who will start at point guard with Jeremy Lin and Patrick Beverley.
While the decision seems easy since Lin has a big contract and all the hype after breaking out with the Knicks, the best option might be to start Beverley for the Rockets as they try to integrate Howard into the offense and make a championship run this season. The team feels that it has a championship roster in place already with James Harden, Chandler Parsons, Lin, Howard, Omer Asik and Marcus Camby, but without a solid point guard running things, the offense may not go anywhere.
Last season the Rockets ranked first in the NBA in points per game and with Howard in the fold they likely will improve on defense, making the high powered offense work even better. The team has a huge decision to make and while they likely will pick Lin, there is good reason why Beverley deserves a serious look as well. The point guard will not be the focal point of attention in the offense like Chris Paul is with the Clippers, especially now with Howard in the fold, as Dwight and James Harden will lead the offense, manning the most efficient player likely should start.
Lin is owed $17 million for the next two seasons and that makes it pretty clear that he will start, but Beverley showed in the playoffs while subbing in for an injured Lin that he can lead the offense and that he can do it well. Both players put up solid 36 minute averages, including Lin with nearly 15 points and seven assists, but Beverley was close with 12 points and six assists and he also was better in steals, blocks and had turnovers per game. Lin's field goal percentage was slightly better, but the turnovers tell a big story and that could be a factor heading into next season.
Based on the stats, the Rockets actually were better on both ends of the floor with Beverley at the point due to the fewer turnovers and he also put up a better true shooting percentage than Lin over the course of the season. The Rockets went 45-37 last season and likely will improve this year with Howard and while Lin is getting paid a lot and led the team in assists per game, there is good reason to consider Beverley and he offers a fantastic backup option for Houston.
