The Houston Rockets begin their preseason on Tuesday night with plenty of headlines surrounding the team. The potential free agency run of Dwight Howard has already been put into motion while injuries are already a factor in the roster. As the team takes the court against the Memphis Grizzlies, one of the more interesting storylines will be the point guard rotation and the battle between Patrick Beverley and Ty Lawson.
According to head coach Kevin McHale, nothing is guaranteed for either Beverley or Lawson as both players have starting experience to their name. Beverley was the starter for the Rockets last season and was rewarded in free agency after putting up 10.1 points and 3.4 assists in just 56 games thanks to injuries. However, Lawson has the better numbers after averaging 15.1 points and 9.6 assists with the Denver Nuggets. For the first preseason game, the Houston Chronicle reports that Beverley will get the nod as Lawson comes off the bench, but that could very well change.
"I have been in these competitions at every level, since I was a kid at the park," Beverley said, via the Houston 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. It is going to be so much fun. I think, no I know, we are going to give guards hell. Me and Ty are two different point guards."
The point guard battle is just one headline for the Rockets while the other is their issue at power forward. Terrence Jones is out with a rib injury while Donatas Motiejunas is dealing with back surgery. Neither player is expected to see time in the first preseason game while that could mean Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrel gets reps. Trevor Ariza is also working into the spot. McHale is not concerned over the lack of quality depth at this moment.
"We'll play Trev some at the four during the course of the season," McHale said, via ESPN.com. "Things happen, guys get hurt, it's a lot of games. Trevor was a warrior last year; he can play different things. I'm glad he's been putting himself at that four some."
The Rockets are aiming to run the west this season. A big factor in that will be Howard who says he is healthy to start the season and not thinking about free agency next summer. The center will have the chance to get a new contract in 2016, but has no interest in discussing that right now. Instead Howard is focused on staying healthy which he knows will make or break the team's year.
"I feel good right now," Howard said, via the Chronicle. "I did take some time off this summer to just get away from the game. I think that's important as players to get away for a month or so and just focus on our health, ourselves and get away from the long grind we have ahead of us. When it's go time, I am fully committed and ready to bring a championship to Houston."
