Tag: Tari Eason

Rookie Power Rankings: Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin pace the class

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2022-23 season.

Through the first four weeks of the NBA season, the rookie class has put forth some tremendous performances. Several players stand out above the rest in the early going.

Of course, No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero came out of the gate on fire and leads the class in scoring. Bennedict Mathurin is a few points behind him in the scoring column, while Jaden Ivey continues to look electric so far.

In our second installment, some players cracked the rankings for the first time after a hot two-week stretch since our inaugural list came out. These newcomers have seemingly taken advantage of their opportunities and are making the most of them.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Podcast: Mark Schindler on the progress of Houston’s young core

Is Houston’s young core progressing as it should? Mark Schindler joins us to discuss Jalen Green, Jabari Smith Jr., the role of Stephen Silas, and much more. #Rockets

Wednesday’s episode of “The Lager Line” welcomes national NBA writer Mark Schindler to the show for a roundtable Houston Rockets discussion with hosts Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves.

Though the Rockets are clearly in a rebuilding movement, the 2-12 start — which, entering Wednesday, is the NBA’s worst — has clearly underwhelmed many Houston fans.

One prominent reason for those struggles is Houston’s offense, which ranks in the bottom five of the NBA despite featuring numerous scorers and playmakers. The show explores whether head coach Stephen Silas or point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is more worthy of criticism for the recent performances.

Other discussion topics include growth shown from second-year prospects Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun; a slow start by rookie Jabari Smith Jr.; promising signs by reserves KJ Martin and Tari Eason; whether it still makes sense to keep Eric Gordon and more.

Wednesday’s full podcast can be listened to below. Each episode of the show is also available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790, as well as to all major podcast distributors under “The Lager Line.”

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NBA Rookie Rankings: Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin aren’t the only first-year studs

Walker Kessler, Tari Eason, and Christian Koloko are thriving on defense.

Now that we are around one month into the season, the NBA’s 2022-23 Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie race is beginning to shape up.

The NBA’s rookie class took a massive hit when No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren was listed as out for the season with a foot injury. But players like Orlando’s Paolo Banchero and Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin have stepped up in massive ways for their teams thus far.

Banchero and Mathurin could become the first pair of rookies to average more than 20.0 points per game since LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony did as much in 2003.

But it isn’t just Banchero and Mathurin who are off to a strong start. Based on their performances on the court thus far, we have ranked the NBA’s exciting and impressive rookie class.

Rockets coach Stephen Silas explains lack of playing time for Josh Christopher

“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,” Stephen Silas says regarding Josh Christopher’s lack of minutes.

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.

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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Takeaways: Rockets rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason show flashes in Toronto

The #Rockets lost a close game to Fred VanVleet and the host Raptors, but there were signs of major progress by Houston’s top rookies, Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason.

It hasn’t been the best start to the season for Jabari Smith Jr., the No. 3 pick in 2022 draft first round. But there were clear signs of progress by both Smith and fellow rookie Tari Eason in Wednesday’s 116-109 loss at Toronto (box score).

Fred VanVleet led the veteran Raptors with 32 points and 4 assists, including 7-of-16 on 3-pointers (43.8%). Jalen Green had another efficient night for Houston with 21 points and 6 assists on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5%), along with 2-of-5 on 3-pointers (40.0%).

But what kept the Rockets competitive to the final whistle was the production on both ends of the court by their duo of rookie forwards and second-year center Usman Garuba.

After scoring just 9 points in his last three games combined, Smith posted the second double-double of his young NBA career with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Eason, his rookie counterpart, added 14 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals off the bench. Garuba tallied 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocked shots in only 14 minutes as the backup behind Alperen Sengun (17 points, 8 rebounds).

Neither rookie was efficient. Smith and Eason shot 36.4% and 33.3%, respectively, but their energy kept the Rockets competitive against a veteran opponent led by OG Anunoby (18 points, 10 rebounds) and reigning Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes (13 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists) in the frontcourt.

Other Houston players to score in double figures included:

  • Eric Gordon: 10 points, 30% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 29 minutes (Rockets minus-14 when on court)
  • Kevin Porter Jr.: 12 points, 36.4% FG, 16.7% on 3-pointers, 11 assists, 5 turnovers, 40 minutes (minus-8)
  • KJ Martin: 13 points, 83.3% FG, 66.7% on 3-pointers, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks, 23 minutes (team-high plus-18)

The Rockets fell to 2-10, while Toronto improved to 7-5.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Toronto. Houston will finally conclude its four-game road trip on Saturday in New Orleans, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun magical as Rockets end skid in Orlando

In a matchup loaded with high picks from the last two drafts, it was Houston’s Jalen Green (34 points, 66.7% FG, 45.5% on 3s) who stole the show in Monday’s win at Orlando.

In a matchup featuring numerous high first-round picks from the 2021 and 2022 NBA draft classes, Rockets guard Jalen Green stole the show. His 34 efficient points helped Houston snap its six-game losing streak, 134-127, (box score) at Orlando.

Both the Magic and Rockets are 2-9.

Green connected on 12-of-18 shots (66.7%), including 5-of-11 on 3-pointers (45.5%).

Magic rookie Paolo Banchero, drafted at No. 1 in 2022, had 30 points (50% FG and 3-pointers) and 6 rebounds while easily outdueling Houston’s Jabari Smith Jr., who was taken two picks later. Smith’s slow start to his NBA career continued. He had just 3 points in 22 minutes on 1-of-4 shooting (25%), all from 3-point range.

Beyond Smith, Houston’s prospects showed up in a big way. Second-year center Alperen Sengun had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while third-year forward KJ Martin added 21 points in 26 reserve minutes on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 4-of-8 on 3-pointers (50.0%).

Rookie forward Tari Eason added 8 points and 6 rebounds in 20 minutes, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers (66.7%). Eason also made several key defensive plays when isolated against Banchero.

Houston had key veteran contributions, as well, led by Eric Gordon, who scored 19 points on 5-of-7 from 3-point range (71.4%).

As a team, the Rockets connected on 24-of-48 from 3-point range (50.0%), and they reaped the benefits from strong ball movement. Houston had a season-high 31 assists as a team, led by 11 from Kevin Porter Jr., 5 by Martin, and 4 apiece from Sengun and Gordon. Porter also, however, had a team-high 7 turnovers, including several in the fourth quarter as Orlando tried to rally in the final minutes.

Orlando’s second-year backcourt of Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, each drafted in the 2021 first round, played well in defeat. Wagner had 23 points (75% FG and 3-pointers) and 7 rebounds, while Suggs added 11 points (62.5% FG) and 6 assists. Both played 33 minutes.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews from Orlando. Next up for Houston as the road trip continues is Wednesday night in Toronto, with tipoff set for 6:30 p.m. Central.

Takeaways: Tari Eason enjoys career night as Rockets fall in Minnesota

It was a career night for #Rockets rookie Tari Eason (17 points, 75% shooting in 24 minutes), but Houston still took its sixth straight loss Saturday versus Karl-Anthony Towns and Minnesota.

Rookie forward Tari Eason scored a career-high 17 points in only 23 minutes on 6-of-8 shooting (75%), including 2-of-2 on 3-pointers, but it wasn’t enough for the Houston Rockets in Saturday night’s 129-117 setback (box score) at Minnesota.

Karl Anthony Towns led the host Timberwolves (5-5) with 25 points (64.3% FG, 50% on 3-pointers), 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocks. The Rockets lost their sixth straight and fell to 1-9 on the season, which is the NBA’s worst record.

Houston’s backcourt of Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green struggled as shooters, combining to score 34 points, including a team-high 21 by Green, on a combined 9-of-28 shooting (32.1%) with eight turnovers. By contrast, frontcourt starters Alperen Sengun and KJ Martin were much more efficient. Sengun had 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting (88.9%), along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists, while Martin had 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting (75.0%) and 3-of-5 on 3-pointers (60%).

Scroll on for highlights, analysis and postgame interviews from Saturday night at Target Center.

The next stop on Houston’s four-game road trip is in Orlando. The tip is set for 7 p.m. Central on Monday. That game could feature a matchup of two highly touted rookie forwards: Paolo Banchero of the Magic and Jabari Smith Jr. of the Rockets. However, it is uncertain whether Smith will play; he missed Saturday’s game in Minnesota with an illness.

Rookie Power Rankings: Paolo Banchero flexing early as the No. 1 pick

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the first two weeks of the 2022-23 season.

The incoming rookie class has had two weeks of games in the NBA and already has produced some remarkable performances in the early going of the season.

No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero is off to a tremendous start and is seemingly showing out on a nightly basis. He scored at least 20 points in each of his first six games, becoming the first rookie to do so since Grant Hill (Nov. 4-15, 1994).

Elsewhere, several other first-year players have put up strong starts to the season. The group is looking to live up to expectations in the early going with several individuals emerging as key players for their respective teams around the league.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Takeaways: Kevin Porter Jr. leads Rockets in competitive loss at Phoenix

The shooting slump continues for Jalen Green, but #Rockets backcourt mate Kevin Porter Jr. (26 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) showed promising signs in Sunday’s loss at Phoenix.

The young Houston Rockets (1-6) don’t yet have the elusive win that continues to evade them on a tough road trip, but point guard Kevin Porter Jr. is showing some very promising signs.

Despite playing through obvious pain from a nagging right quad contusion suffered last Wednesday in Utah, Porter kept the Rockets competitive in Sunday’s 124-109 loss (box score) in Phoenix with a team-high 26 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists. and only 1 turnover. Porter drew a career-high 14 free-throw attempts and made 11 (78.6%).

The Suns (5-1) were led by perennial All-Star guard Devin Booker, who scored a game-high 30 points on 14-of-24 shooting (58.3%). Veteran floor general Chris Paul had 10 points and a game-high 13 assists to pace Phoenix, which gradually pulled away in the second half after Houston tied the game late in the third quarter.

Backcourt mate Jalen Green added 15 points for the Rockets, but his recent shooting slump continued, as the second-year guard made just 5-of-18 shots overall (27.8%) and 2-of-7 on 3-pointers (28.6%). Second-year center Alperen Sengun tallied 16 points (60.0% FG) and 9 rebounds, while rookie forward Tari Eason had 9 points off the bench in just 11 minutes on 4-of-4 shooting.

Scroll on for highlights, analysis, and postgame interviews. Houston concludes its four-game Western Conference road trip and a tough back-to-back on Monday in Los Angeles versus the Clippers (2-4) and former teammate John Wall, with tipoff set for 9:30 p.m. Central.

Full Houston Rockets 17-player payroll for 2022-23 NBA season

Now that Houston’s roster is set for the 2022-23 regular season, here’s an updated look at what each #Rockets player will make financially this season.

The Houston Rockets remain one of the youngest teams in the NBA. Yet, entering what is considered by most as the third season of a franchise rebuild, clear signs of optimism are emerging.

The optimism starts with second-year guard Jalen Green, who looks to have picked up where he left off in his dynamic 2021-22 rookie season. In case you forgot, that’s when he finished with an historic scoring burst that led to a spot on the league’s All-Rookie first team.

There’s also Jabari Smith Jr., selected by Houston at No. 3 overall in the first round of the 2022 NBA draft. For Smith, this season offers an opportunity to justify that lofty draft placement and show his potential as a future franchise cornerstone alongside Green.

Combine that duo with promising young players like Alperen Sengun, Tari Eason, KJ Martin and recently extended guard Kevin Porter Jr., and it’s easy to see the reasons for optimism. That youth is also why the Rockets are a relatively inexpensive team, particularly if excluding dead money in the form of former players (i.e. John Wall).

With that in mind, here is the full Rockets roster and salaries entering the 2022-23 regular season. This version reflects all moves made to trim from Houston’s 20-man roster at training camp to the NBA’s limit of 15 standard contracts and two two-way deals for the season, such as the recent waiving of veteran big man Derrick Favors.

This list is sorted in ascending order from least to most, financially, during the 2022-23 season, according to HoopsHype salary data. Any potential future earnings for each Rockets player as part of his current contract are noted beneath each photo.