Here is a list of all 30 players who have worn the No. 12 uniform in the history of the Philadelphia 76ers.
It’s summertime in the NBA, so it’s time to learn some history. The Philadelphia 76ers are one of the older franchises in the NBA. Their history dates to the 1949-50 season.
With that longevity, the team has had hundreds of players come through the City of Brotherly Love. Sixers Wire looks at the No. 13, which has been worn by 30 of those players in the history of the franchise.
Houston will have eight players wearing social justice jerseys, led by Russell Westbrook and Robert Covington with “Black Lives Matter.”
[jwplayer jMQhl9bS-z6KDnl0B]
Earlier this month, the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) agreed on social justice messages that can be displayed on the back of jerseys, similar to the usual placement of a player’s last name.
The idea is to use the platform and large television audience of the league’s looming restart to help promote the growing U.S. social justice movement, which picked up steam after George Floyd’s death in late May.
Because messages were limited to only approved options, some players are choosing not to use the option. For example, reserve guard Austin Rivers of the Houston Rockets wanted to use his jersey to honor Trayvon Martin, but the approved list does not offer that possibility.
Per NBA.com, here are the eight members of the Rockets who will wear an approved social justice message on their jersey:
Robert Covington | Black Lives Matter
Russell Westbrook | Black Lives Matter
Michael Frazier | Equality
Eric Gordon | Equality
Luc Mbah a Moute | Justice
Bruno Caboclo | Justice Now
Chris Clemons | Justice Now
Jeff Green | Vote
Full list of the messages NBA players will wear on their jerseys for the season restart. https://t.co/EtyC0JjH3E
Players who are not listed will simply have their last name at its usual nameplate spot on the back of their jersey. For those players wanting to express a different message, the NBPA recently announced a plan to partner with Westbrook’s clothing line to design social justice shirts, which include additional statement options. These can be worn around the league’s Disney World campus, as well as before and/or after games.
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As for the revised jerseys, they will be worn by the Rockets in the 2019-20 regular season and playoffs, beginning with Friday’s first game of the restart against Southwest Division rival Dallas. Tip-off from the NBA “bubble” in Florida is set for 8:00 p.m. Central, with the game broadcast regionally on AT&T SportsNet Southwest and nationally on ESPN.
Mbah a Moute confirmed Monday that his late arrival was due to COVID-19, which caused him chills, body aches, a fever, and more.
Like Russell Westbrook, veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute was also a late arrival at the NBA “bubble” in Florida, where the Houston Rockets and 21 other teams will resume their 2019-20 regular season within days.
As it turns out, Mbah a Moute was also delayed for the same reason as Westbrook was: a positive test for COVID-19. He confirmed the news in a media session Monday, prior to Houston’s team practice.
But unlike Westbrook, who said he was mostly without symptoms, Mbah a Moute wasn’t as lucky. The 33-year-old said Monday that he suffered from chills, body aches, a fever, and more.
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“I was sick. I had the COVID,” said Mbah a Moute, who had to test negative for the coronavirus before traveling to Florida — and also on the two days after arriving — in order to join his teammates. He continued:
I was actually sick and down for like 10 days. Then recovering and all of that stuff, and then getting the testing. That’s why I was delayed. … I had a lot of symptoms. Obviously, it wasn’t too bad to where I had to go to the hospital, or anything like that. It was being down, fatigued, chills, cold… body aches, and all of that stuff.
It was tough. Another hurdle to climb. You feel for people who had it, and it makes you realize how serious this is. I’m blessed to have come out of it, and I pray for those who are going through it. It’s a tough position to be in. It was scary.
Mbah a Moute, who signed his contract earlier this month in Houston, said he was isolated in a hotel room.
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“The biggest thing for me, I was in the hotel room,” he said. So that’s not easy. When you’re at home, you kind of feel different. … But I was in a hotel room dealing with it.”
Luc Mbah a Moute confirming his delay was due to COVID.
"It was tough. I'm blessed to come out of it. I pray for those in this situation. By the grace of the Lord I got through it." #Rocketspic.twitter.com/y14sKXceFe
Mbah a Moute is effectively replacing Thabo Sefolosha, who opted not to participate in the NBA restart. Two years ago, the 6-foot-8 forward was a very valuable piece for head coach Mike D’Antoni and the Rockets, who benefited greatly from his defensive versatility.
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Due to injuries, Mbah a Moute has only played in four NBA games since the start of the 2018-19 season, and none this season. Combine that with his late arrival to training camp (due to COVID-19) and not having played in scrimmages prior to the season’s resumption, and the odds seem to be again Mbah a Moute earning playing time in the near future.
“It’s going to be tough, there’s no doubt about it,” D’Antoni said on Monday. “Realistically, if nobody gets hurt and everybody is playing pretty well, I don’t know [if Mbah a Moute will play].”
Nonetheless, D’Antoni has said he expects Mbah a Moute to be a “great presence in the locker room,” and he will now have an opportunity to begin making an impression on the practice court.
Whether he eventually plays or not, he does appear to have his health. Ultimately, Mbah a Moute — who said Monday that he is now feeling better — knows that’s the most important thing.
“It’s serious,” he said. “I think a lot of people don’t get the symptoms or get some light symptoms, but for people who have the symptoms, it’s hard. It makes you realize how tough it is to go through this. I was just fortunate and thankful to the Lord that I was able to come out on top.”
“I think he’s been cleared, and I think he’s looking to land today sometime,” head coach Mike D’Antoni said of Luc Mbah a Moute.
Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni said early Wednesday that the Rockets were hopeful that veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute would arrive at the NBA “bubble” complex near Orlando later that same day.
Mbah a Moute, who signed with the Rockets earlier in the month, has yet to report to Florida for an undisclosed reason.
“I think he’s been cleared, and I think he’s looking to land today sometime,” D’Antoni told reporters prior to Wednesday morning’s practice. “Hopefully we’ll have him in here in the next couple days.”
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Mbah a Moute will have to follow the league’s bubble protocols upon entry — which require an immediate self-quarantine period and negative COVID-19 tests on the two days following arrival before that player can begin participating in basketball activities with his team.
D'Antoni said Luc Mbah a Moute has been cleared, could land today in Orlando.
Assuming he arrives Wednesday, that means Mbah a Moute could join the Rockets on Friday. That happens to be the date of Houston’s first scrimmage, though it would seem unlikely that Mbah a Moute would play in a game situation without having practiced for his new team beforehand. Houston’s next practice is currently scheduled for Saturday.
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Mbah a Moute is effectively replacing Thabo Sefolosha, who opted not to participate in the NBA’s restart of the 2019-20 season. Sefolosha primarily served as bench depth for D’Antoni, who used him for spot minutes as a frontcourt option in Houston’s small-ball scheme.
Like Sefolosha, Mbah a Moute is best known for his defense, and he does have history with Houston — having played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. The versatile 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.5 points per game, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 that year, by far the best mark in franchise history.
Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players. But he dislocated his right shoulder twice, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game of the regular season. That injury limited Mbah a Moute’s availability and effectiveness in the 2018 playoffs.
Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.
D'Antoni said Luc Mbah a Moute will, at the least, be a great presence in #Rockets' locker room. Even better if he can make an impact on the floor. Joked that he hadn't seen the former/new Rocket in two years.
Thus, between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But once he arrives, the Rockets will have the opportunity to find out. Even if he doesn’t play on a regular basis, D’Antoni has said he expects Mbah a Moute to be a “great presence in the locker room.”
Since Mbah a Moute has not played for any team this season, he is eligible for inclusion on Houston’s postseason roster. The Rockets have already clinched their spot in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Houston’s regular season will resume on July 31 versus Dallas. Once Mbah a Moute arrives, all members of the Rockets’ final 15-man roster for the upcoming NBA restart will be with the team in Florida.
The Rockets reportedly believe Luc Mbah a Moute will arrive “soon,” which would complete their 15-man roster for the NBA restart.
The final piece to the 15-man roster for the Houston Rockets at the NBA “bubble” in Florida is reportedly getting closer to his arrival.
Veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who signed with the team earlier this month, is expected to arrive “soon,” reports Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Mbah a Moute has been away from the team since signing his contract due to an undisclosed reason.
But the Rockets have expressed confidence throughout the process that Mbah a Moute would eventually rejoin them. Furthermore, Monday’s decision to include him on the final roster for the upcoming restart would seem to be a clear signal of their confidence in his availability to play.
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Russell Westbrook was scheduled to arrive Monday and rejoin the team after a temporary delay due to his positive COVID-19 test. That makes Mbah a Moute the last to arrive among players on the final roster.
Head coach Mike D’Antoni said Monday that he still did not have a precise timetable on Mbah a Moute, who played a key role for D’Antoni and the Rockets two seasons ago. The team is not practicing Tuesday.
Mike D'Antoni did not have details about Luc Mbah a Moute's timetable, but a source said his arrival will be "soon." https://t.co/DhPPrTeU5X
This year, Mbah a Moute is effectively replacing Thabo Sefolosha, who opted not to participate in the NBA’s restart of the 2019-20 season.
Best known for his defense, Mbah a Moute played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. The versatile 6-foot-8 forward averaged 7.5 points per game, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 that year, by far the best mark in franchise history.
Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players. But he dislocated his right shoulder twice, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game of the regular season. That injury limited Mbah a Moute’s availability and effectiveness in the 2018 playoffs.
Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.
Mike D'Antoni on Luc Mbah a Moute: "He hasn't played in two years. … I have no clue. That's why the three weeks [of training camp] and eight [seeding] games will be important."
"He's great on the bench and great in the locker room, I do know that." Playing time TBD. #Rockets
Thus, between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But if healthy, he would seem to be an optimal fit for the new frontcourt emphasis of the Rockets (40-24), who are prioritizing versatile defenders such as P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington ahead of traditional centers.
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Since Mbah a Moute has not played for an NBA team this season, he is eligible for inclusion on Houston’s postseason roster. The Rockets have already clinched their spot in the 2020 NBA playoffs.
Houston’s regular season will resume on July 31 versus Dallas, with the team’s first of three scrimmages scheduled for Friday against Toronto.
Howard signed with a French team, though fellow Two-Way player Michael Frazier and newcomer Luc Mbah a Moute are both on the final roster.
The Houston Rockets finalized their roster on Monday for the NBA’s upcoming restart of the 2019-20 season.
As expected, Two-Way forward William Howard — who had largely played for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, Houston’s G League affiliate — is not with the Rockets in the Florida “bubble” and is not on their final roster.
That’s because the 26-year-old Howard, a France native, signed a deal during the NBA’s lengthy COVID-19 hiatus with French team ASVEL.
A 6-foot-8 forward, Howard averaged 12.8 points (36.4% on 3-pointers) and 5.3 rebounds in 31 minutes per game with the Vipers. He played only sparingly in two games for the Rockets, who signed Howard in late December after a previous stint with Utah’s G League affiliate.
Due to Howard’s absence and the addition of injured newcomer David Nwaba, who will not be available until the 2020-21 season, Houston’s final roster of 15 players is one of the smallest of the 22 teams participating in the restart. Regular-season play resumes on July 31 for the Rockets.
Only two teams (Portland and Brooklyn) have fewer players on their restart roster than the Rockets. That was a decision when picked up Nwaba, dropping Hartenstein to open a roster spot. Howard, btw, played 13 mins in 2 games with Rockets. He did not score, had 2 rebounds. https://t.co/ht099i6syb
Michael Frazier, who is Houston’s other Two-Way player, is with the Rockets in the Florida “bubble” and on the final roster. As such, he will be eligible to play once the season resumes. The 6-foot-3 guard, who is well regarded for his defense, averaged 14.9 points (33.3% on 3-pointers) and 3.3 rebounds in 28.1 minutes per game with the Vipers.
Like Howard, Frazier is also 26 years old. Players on Two-Way contracts are primarily G League participants, but they can spend up to 45 service days with their affiliate NBA team. Unlike most years, the league’s new rules surrounding the restart and associated health concerns after a long layoff will allow Two-Way players to be eligible for postseason play.
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The entire Houston roster can be viewed below. Besides Howard, other changes relative to their pre-COVID roster include the departures of young center Isaiah Hartenstein (released to make room for Nwaba) and veteran forward Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of the restart.
Sefolosha’s spot was filled by veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute, who is not yet with the Rockets in Florida due to an undisclosed reason. However, Houston Chronicle reporter Jonathan Feigen said Monday that Mbah a Moute is expected to arrive “soon,” according to a source. His inclusion on the final roster would seem to indicate that the Rockets remain confident as to his eventual availability for the restart.
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NBA rosters are set for the restart: The only players eligible to participate in the remainder of the season are those listed in the attached rosters or those who are signed later as substitute players in accordance with NBA rules. #Rockets roster (15): pic.twitter.com/2NQl0F2YY4
No reason for their absence was given, and both Harden and Westbrook are expected to join the Rockets “in the near future.”
Houston Rockets superstars James Harden and Russell Westbrook were not on the team’s Thursday flight to Orlando for the restart of the 2019-20 season, as first reported by The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
No reason was given for the absence of the All-Star backcourt, and both former MVPs are expected to join the team “in the near future.”
Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reported that in addition to Harden and Westbrook, newcomer Luc Mbah a Moute and player development coach John Lucas were also not on the flight.
Harden and Westbrook were not made available in recent team media sessions, which began in July once individual workouts (for healthy players) became mandatory at Toyota Center. Robert Covington, Austin Rivers, and Eric Gordon were the only players to speak on the Zoom calls.
Can confirm that James Harden and Russell Westbrook were not on the flight to Orlando, per source. Luc Mbah a Moute and player development coach John Lucas also did not fly with the team. https://t.co/mzgSnLL894
Rockets forward Thabo Sefolosha, who opted out of playing in Florida, said last weekend that some of his teammates had tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). However, he did not identify who, how many, or how recently. For medical privacy reasons, NBA teams are not required to report any individual player’s COVID-19 diagnosis.
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If those positive tests were recent, that could be a potential explanation for any player who isn’t initially with his team in Orlando, since the NBA required players to test negative in the days just prior to travel. Cases of COVID-19 have surged around Houston in recent weeks.
There could also be many other reasons for not being on the team flight. The Los Angeles Clippers, for example, are reportedly allowing superstar Kawhi Leonard to arrive a few days late while dealing with a family matter. Any player who does not fly on the charter must test negative three times for COVID-19 before traveling later to Orlando.
The players and coaches on the Rockets who did make Thursday’s flight to Florida will have their first team practice on Saturday. Harden, Westbrook, and Mbah a Moute will join at a later date.
All still have sufficient time to get there before Houston’s 2019-20 regular season resumes on Friday, July 31 vs. Dallas.
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Sources: The NBA has informed teams that a player will not be allowed to travel with team to Orlando if he misses coronavirus test on one of two days before travel date (July 7-9). Player would then have to register three consecutive negative tests before traveling.
Westbrook and Mbah a Moute are teammates in Houston for the first time since their days at UCLA, which culminated with two Final Four trips.
The story of newcomer Luc Mbah a Moute reuniting with the Houston Rockets is well known. But he’s also joining forces with former college teammate Russell Westbrook, who he played with in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
The Bruins made the NCAA Final Four in both of those seasons, and they haven’t returned in more than a decade since.
Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute set to reunite with Westbrook for the first time since those UCLA years. In an interview Tuesday with Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, Mbah a Moute referred to the nine-time NBA All-Star and 2017 MVP as the “only teammate” from his college days that he wanted to team up at the NBA level with. His comments:
That’s very exciting. I never had a chance to play with Russ in the league. So this is going to be our first time getting back together since college.
This is my only teammate that I played in college with that I wanted to play in the pros with. It’s always fun. We’ve always had so many memories, Russ and I from school. Now being on the same team, it’s going to be a lot of fun, a lot of laughs from some of the stuff we used to say. How we used to act. It’s just funny. I’m excited for sure to be back in the trenches with him.
Luc Mbah a Moute (@mbahamoute) thrilled to be reunited with Russell Westbrook (@russwest44). They were teammates for 2 years with @UCLAMBB: “That’s very exciting. I never had a chance to play with Russ in the league. So this is going to be our 1st time getting back together…” pic.twitter.com/jfGWxjeQcY
After their last Final Four run at UCLA, Westbrook and Mbah a Moute were drafted No. 4 and No. 37, respectively, in the 2008 NBA Draft.
Westbrook has clearly been the superior player at the NBA level, but Mbah a Moute has carved out a role as a valuable role player with 3-point shooting and significant versatility on the defensive end.
It remains to be seen if Mbah a Moute can earn a rotation role in Houston, considering that it’s late in the 2019-20 season. However, his relationship with the organization after his 2017-18 campaign with the team and his personal friendship with Westbrook can’t hurt his chances.
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Luc Mbah a Moute (@mbahamoute) happy & proud of what Russell Westbrook (@russwest44) has accomplished so far in his career. They were teammates for 2 years with @UCLAMBB: “If you look at Russ, when I was a freshman he was still in high school. He used to come up & play with us..” pic.twitter.com/J8WGPkUGYU
Veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute is back in Houston, though head coach Mike D’Antoni says he doesn’t yet know what his role will be.
The Rockets made official on Tuesday what had been known for nearly a week: veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute is returning to Houston.
Mbah a Moute has not played for an NBA team this season, so he is eligible for the team’s 2019-20 playoff roster.
From the team’s press release announcing the signing:
General manager Daryl Morey today announced that the team has signed free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute.
Mbah a Moute (6-8, 230 pounds) was originally the 37th overall pick by Milwaukee in the 2008 NBA Draft. He last played for the Los Angeles Clippers in 2018-19 and is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 686 career games, with 453 starts. The Cameroonian native appeared in 61 games with 15 starts for Houston in 2017-18. The Rockets were 17-1 when he scored in double-figures. Since the start of 2016-17, Mbah a Moute has shot 49.3% from the floor and 37.4% from 3-point range.
Morey announced the signing on his Twitter page by linking to a highlight video, with the caption: “A little reminder of his impact.” In the Nov. 22, 2017 game that Morey linked to, the Rockets outscored Denver by 57 points in the 26 minutes played by Mbah a Moute — making for the best plus/minus figure in NBA history by any player in a single game.
Best known for his defense, the versatile 6-foot-8 forward played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 7.5 points, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 as a team that year, which was by far the best mark in franchise history.
Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players.
But Mbah a Moute dislocated his right shoulder twice during that season, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game. That injury limited his availability and effectiveness in the playoffs.
Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.
As a result, head coach Mike D’Antoni said Tuesday that he wasn’t sure of what to expect from Mbah a Moute once the 2019-20 season resumes later this month in Florida. Among his comments:
He hasn’t played in two years. … That’s why the three weeks [of training camp] and eight [seeding] games will be important. He’s great on the bench and great in the locker room, I do know that.
Mike D'Antoni on Luc Mbah a Moute: "He hasn't played in two years. … I have no clue. That's why the three weeks [of training camp] and eight [seeding] games will be important."
"He's great on the bench and great in the locker room, I do know that." Playing time TBD. #Rockets
Between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But if healthy, Mbah a Moute would seem to be an ideal fit for the new frontcourt emphasis of the Rockets (40-24), who are prioritizing versatile defenders such as P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington ahead of traditional centers.
Mbah a Moute’s versatility makes him an ideal bench replacement for Thabo Sefolosha, who opted not to participate in the restart. In fact, just before signing Sefolosha last September, reports indicated that the Rockets also had interest in Mbah a Moute for the same role.
By signing Tuesday, Mbah a Moute will be eligible to travel with the team on Thursday’s team charter to the NBA’s “bubble” site near Orlando. Those who test negative twice for COVID-19 will be eligible to participate in Saturday’s team practice, which will be the first as a group for the Rockets since the 2019-20 season was suspended on March 11.
“Obviously Luc was a huge part of our team in the past,” Morey said. “I think there is a good chance that’s a direction we’ll go in.”
Houston GM Daryl Morey confirmed Monday that the Rockets have interest in signing veteran forward Luc Mbah a Moute.
Mbah a Moute would fill the spot of Thabo Sefolosha, who notified the team last Wednesday that he would not participate in the NBA’s restart.
Within hours of that notification, which freed up a roster spot, The Athletic‘s Shams Charania reported that the Rockets were planning to sign Mbah a Moute. On Monday, in a Zoom chat with members of the media, Morey effectively confirmed the team’s intentions. He said:
Trying to think what the rules allow me to say. Obviously Luc was a huge part of our team in the past. He’s someone we’re interested in signing. … I think there is a good chance that’s a direction we’ll go in.
Daryl Morey on Luc Mbah a Moute: "Obviously Luc was a huge part of our team in the past. He's someone we're interested in signing…I think there is a good chance that's a direction we'll go in." #Rockets
While the signing was not yet official as of those comments, that had more to do with the NBA’s protocols, as opposed to either side having second thoughts. The league’s late June transaction window closed last Tuesday, while Sefolosha’s roster spot was not opened until the next day.
The Rockets and other NBA teams will have another opportunity in July to sign substitute players for anyone who opts out, but the league has not formalized the precise window. Until then, the Rockets and Mbah a Moute are operating under a verbal agreement.
Just for some clarification: The NBA transaction window closed last Tuesday. Thabo Sefolosha opted out of the NBA restart on Wednesday. The Rockets will be allowed to sign Luc Mbah a Moute at some point as a replacement to Sefolosha, just not sure when https://t.co/EPc3AcuDvY
Mbah a Moute has not played for an NBA team this season, so he is eligible for Houston’s playoff roster.
Best known for his defense, the versatile 6-foot-8 forward played 25.6 minutes per game with the Rockets in the 2017-18 season. He averaged 7.5 points, including 36.4% on 3-pointers. Houston went 65-17 as a team that year, which was by far the best mark in franchise history.
Mbah a Moute had a 101.7 defensive rating with the 2017-18 Rockets, which was best on the team among consistent rotation players.
Daryl Morey says Luc Mbah a Moute is someone who benefitted this team in the past and someone they are interested in signing and will look to do so. #Rockets
— Cayleigh Griffin (@cayleighgriffin) July 6, 2020
But Mbah a Moute dislocated his right shoulder twice during that season, with the latter incident occurring in the second-to-last game. That injury limited his availability and effectiveness in the playoffs.
Then, after signing with the Clippers before the 2018-19 season, a separate knee injury limited him to only four games. Now 33 years old, Mbah a Moute hasn’t played with any team in 2019-20, which means he’s played in just four NBA games over the last two seasons, combined.
Thus, between the normal aging curve for an NBA player and his own personal history with injuries, it’s not clear whether Mbah a Moute is still the same player physically as he was two seasons ago. But if healthy, Mbah a Moute seems to be an ideal fit for the new frontcourt emphasis of the Rockets (40-24), who are prioritizing versatile defenders such as P.J. Tucker and Robert Covington ahead of traditional centers.
Mbah a Moute’s position versatility also lines up well with Sefolosha, making him a logical replacement as Houston fills out its bench. In fact, just before signing Sefolosha last September, reports indicated that the Rockets also had interest in Mbah a Moute for the same role.
Sefolosha wasn’t expected to be in the rotation once Houston’s 2019-20 season resumes on July 31, and the same will likely be the case for Mbah a Moute. But that prior stint means that head coach Mike D’Antoni knows him well — and if issues arise with injuries or health in Florida, having a trusted veteran at the end of the bench could become very important.
