HOUSTON — On Friday, the Rockets finally had a chance to practice on their home court of Toyota Center after completing the first three legs of a four-game road trip, which concludes Saturday versus the regional rival Pelicans at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans.
Even though they have gone 1-2 thus far, Houston competed very hard in both losses, as they have done for most of the 12 games they have played this season. Head coach Stephen Silas has had to do what he has done in previous years by putting together rotations that are forced to learn continuity throughout the games.
One person who has not yet been part of that rotation on a consistent basis is second-year player Josh Christopher, who is averaging 8.6 minutes per game in the eight games he has appeared. His stat line read, “DNP (did not play) coach’s decision” in three of the last four games the Rockets played.
“We have 13 guys who deserve playing time, and it’s not always an easy call as far as who gets to play and who doesn’t,” Silas said after practice on Friday. “I had a conversation with Josh after a few games. His minutes were up and down. I was trying to play 11 and told him it’s going to be hard to play him for the next few games. I want to see other combinations, other guys.”
“He’s going to get his opportunity. He’s a great worker. He stays positive with this team. He stays engaged in practice. Trust me, he’s going to get to play. It’s coming.”
Christopher was selected with the No. 24 overall pick by the Rockets in the first round of the 2021 NBA draft. Most of his rookie minutes were spent playing behind Jalen Green and Eric Gordon, but he sometimes relieved Kevin Porter Jr. at point guard.
“Trust me, he is going to get his opportunity,” said Rockets HC Stephen Silas when I asked him about why second-year player Josh Christopher was not a part of the rotation. #LightTheFuse #Sarge @TheRocketsWire pic.twitter.com/VThtgY6pKd
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 11, 2022
Silas would like to see him play more on the perimeter this season, which has a logjam with minutes given to Green, Gordon, KJ Martin, Garrison Mathews and rookie Tari Eason.
“One of the things I like about Josh is he is a player who plays downhill and he is aggressive, and he can be a spark off the bench and can get into the paint or shoot threes,” Silas said. “His playmaking is coming, but right now, he is more of a wing for me than he is a point guard.”
Last season, the Rockets sent Christopher to their G League affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Vipers, to get developmental minutes at different positions. Even so, Silas was stern in responding to that suggestion for Christopher this season.
“I dont think that going to RGV is bad for anybody, but he is not going,” said Silas.
After Friday’s post-practice media availability, Silas alluded to staying patient as he continues to put a rotation together that has been hampered by injuries and illnesses.
“Just give it a little more time and I think you all will see things come together,” Silas said as he walked off the court.
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