The Rockets Daily – November 27, 2013

By John Eby | November 27, 2013 at 9:12 am

Six Degrees of the Harden Trade – On Monday, David Thorpe revealed his picks for the top 20 sophomores in the NBA. The Houston Rockets’ very own Terrence Jones–the no. 18 pick of that draft–came in ranked no. 5. He falls in behind the “big three” of Anthony Davis (Baby Duncan), Andre Drummond (Baby Shaq) and Damian Lillard (babies play better defense) and behind Jared Sullinger.

Here’s what Thorpe says about the Katana:

A nonfactor last season and the first two weeks of this season, Jones has emerged as a strong player on a contending team in the West. The Omer Asik drama has helped Jones, who is now starting for Houston and playing as if he plans to be in that spot for a long time.

Houston wants a power forward who can help Dwight Howard rebound and who can make 3s so Howard has more space to operate in half-court sets. Jones is the answer. Not only can he rebound and shoot 3s, but he also brings athleticism and basketball savvy as a scorer, using scoops and hooks appropriately or adding subtle fakes and changes of pace.

Love me some Terrence Jones. Now, lets tie this in with the Harden trade. If you have ESPN Insider, you’ll scroll down the article, past where Patrick Beverley is ranked no. 8 (Ben Wallace, patron saint of undrafted players, smiles down from the heavens), you’ll see our old friend Jeremy Lamb ranked no. 16.

Lamb Chops was a key piece in the Harden trade–the golden parachute to soften the impact of Kevin Martin leaving in free agency. But remember, Terrence Jones was extremely available for that trade. Like, Charlotte-Bobcats-tickets-in-March available. Lamb is developing well this year, filling his role and helping his team, but he’s not having a breakout season like Jones.

It doubtful that Daryl Morey knew that the Katana would turn out quite as well as he’s playing right now. After all, he took Lamb and Royce White ahead of Jones in that draft. Still, every time Terrence Jones makes a basket, another piece of Sam Presti’s heart dies, and Dork Elvis chuckles. The reasons that Houston won the Harden trade keep piling up.

 All That Power – Apologies for not being able to post a Daily on Tuesday to include the power rankings, but Houston climbed two spots in Marc Stein’s rankings to no. 8, they’re also no. 8 in the Hollinger (computerized) rankings. Points for consistency, I guess.

Don’t Worry. Be Happy. – Dwight Howard spoke with the media after practice on Tuesday. This is not breaking news. He talked a little bit about how well Asik played against the Grizzlies and about how he’s sort of mentoring Terrence Jones–also not breaking news. Nothing he said was really breaking news. But he looked happy for the first time in a while. That’s probably more important than anything he might have said.

Contributor Needed - I’m still taking applications for someone to replace me as news editor, which mostly involves writing the Daily. I’ll be writing less starting around Christmas. Email me at [email protected] if you’re interested.

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Total comments: 11
  • timetodienow1234567 says 4 months ago Looks like a hog?
  • TwistleTheTwine says 4 months ago

    Dork Elvis...Died on that one... xD...Terrance Jones looks like a hog right now(especially on the offensive end with a perfect example last night against the Hawks) and can not wait until he is assigned more and more to the big competition and watch him continue learn and grow on the defensive side.

  • goRockets says 4 months ago

    Hopefully Howard and Jones will develop the kind of defensive chemistry together that will help the Rockets defend better. Glad to see Howard trying to mentor Jones. One of the announcers today said perhaps they play well together because Jones is a bit like Howard when he was younger. Despite his youth, Jones' athleticism and size gives him some advantage defensively (he jumps so high blocking shots!).

    It's going to be interesting to see what the dynamics will be when Harden returns, but so far in his absence, Rockets are playing solid, defending better and sharing the ball very very well. Hopefully this doesn't come to a halt but only improves when Harden comes back. Rockets really have so many players who are not just good shooters but are capable of making plays and drive to the basket (i.e. Parsons, Casspi, Garcia, Brooks, etc).

  • rockets best fan says 4 months ago

    If they had a viable option to replace Perkins he would have been amnestied. Outside of the bulls it seems there isn't a cheaper ownership group than okc.

    that Adams kid is looking decent

  • 2016Champions says 4 months ago

    If they had a viable option to replace Perkins he would have been amnestied. Outside of the bulls it seems there isn't a cheaper ownership group than okc.

    Imo Ibaka should replace Perkins. If Bosh can play the 5 then there's no reason Ibaka can't, and have Collison start.

  • Cooper says 4 months ago If they had a viable option to replace Perkins he would have been amnestied. Outside of the bulls it seems there isn't a cheaper ownership group than okc.
  • rocketrick says 4 months ago

    To add to your argument,taking Jones would have allowed OKC to amnesty Perkins this yr,freeing up the money for Martin.(OKC could start Collison and Ibaka and bring in Adams and Jones.)


    OKC always has wanted from the very start to have Perkins as an integral big to match up with likely playoff opponents like Indiana, Chicago, San Antonio, LA Clippers, etc.

    That's the only reason they did the trade.

    There has never been any intention, in my opinion, for them to want to amnesty Perkins up to now. That could change after this season, only time will tell.
  • rocketrick says 4 months ago Except Lamb is a defensive liability. Could the Rockets win with both Harden and Lamb on the floor at the same time? Doubtful. Lamb cannot for the life of him create his own shot, either. He is much too undersized to be an effective, long-term NBA player in my opinion.
  • Stephen says 4 months ago

    Lamb is going to be one of those what-if guys in my mind.
    If the Harden trade hadn't gone thru and Martin was dealt elsewhere,Lamb would have been given plenty of minutes. From watching him in OKC he's got a really nice game. I think he could have easily become a 20-4-4 guy who competes on D. In OKC as the at-best third option in OKC,never gonna happen.
    Wouldn't be surprised if it was Lamb over Jones/Motie because Lamb was a #11 Lottery pick and that made an easier PR sell for trading Harden.
    To add to your argument,taking Jones would have allowed OKC to amnesty Perkins this yr,freeing up the money for Martin.(OKC could start Collison and Ibaka and bring in Adams and Jones.)

  • 2016Champions says 4 months ago

    If Dwight can lead a team full of non stars past a 66 wins Cleveland squad then he's a winner. His play on the court concerns me a lot more than his attitude in interviews.

  • John P says 4 months ago

    Does it bother anyone that it is news if Howard is happy or not? Is this the mentality of a championship league player? Maybe the press make too much of Howard's happiness and its tying into his playing but we all seem to have bought into it. If true, it makes me skeptical that he has what it takes to fight through the personal and team challenges that occur on route to the finals.