The Houston Rockets are hopeful they have the right roster in place to be competitive in the Western Conference this season. The team came close last year, but lacked the ability to get past the Golden State Warriors in the end. In the offseason they opted to re-sign in-house talent rather than grab big-named stars which may or may not work out for them. One move they did make was to acquire Ty Lawson who is now battling for the starting job with Patrick Beverley.
Lawson was the starter in Denver while Beverley was the starter in Houston. In the offseason the point guard re-signed with the Rockets under the idea he would be the starter this season, but Lawson getting added to the picture complicates things. Head coach Kevin McHale is not guaranteeing anyone the job in favor of a competition before opening night.
"They'll determine that," McHale said, via the Houston Chronicle. "We'll find out. Can we play them together? Maybe. We'll put them out there. We had 28 days of camp. We'll decide who will get the lion's share of the minutes. One will and one will be a backup."
Statistically, Lawson is the better point guard. He averaged 15.1 points and 9.6 assists last season with the Nuggets. Beverley averaged 10.1 points and 3.4 assists while only playing 56 games because of various injuries. Beverley knows that Lawson is coming in and eyeing for the starting spot. The point guard was in a similar position with Jeremy Lin. He told the media that at the end of the day all he wants to do is win.
"I have been in these competitions at every level, since I was a kid at the park," Beverley said, via the Chronicle. "It's competition, but at the end of the day. we are on the same team. Me and Ty Lawson, at the end of the day, we are putting on Rockets jerseys. We are going to push each other the best possible limits that we can in every single practice."
The Rockets like the roster they currently have in place. At one point guard the team was rumored to be in the mix for a trade of Markieff Morris. The Phoenix Suns power forward told the media that he wants to remain with the franchise after demanding a trade earlier in the offseason. The Rockets could have easily offered Terrence Jones in a deal for the forward to help add another playmaker to the roster, but that idea has been shot down according to FOX Sports. If the Rockets struggle early, it could be re-visited, but for now Morris is not headed to Houston.
