The Houston Rockets may have been bounced early from the playoffs this year, but they were able to put together another strong regular season in 2018-19.
There are areas they can improve upon, even though there were individuals who had immense success.
Rockets Wire is reviewing each player, starter or second unit, to recap the Rockets’ season.
Austin Rivers
When Rivers came to Houston right before Christmas Day, it was hard to tell how he’d gel with the Rockets. Things weren’t exactly peachy between him and Chris Paul when they played together on the Los Angeles Clippers. But when he was asked to fill the void while Paul was sidelined, Rivers fit right in.
In the 13 games Rivers started, he averaged 11.6 points per game on 41.5 percent shooting while playing 38.1 minutes per night. He still shot 41 percent from the floor the rest of the way, but only scored 7.3 points per game. He also averaged seven minutes less per game, so his efficiency didn’t go down, he just had fewer opportunities.
What was most surprising about Rivers’ season with the Rockets was how he flipped the switch with his three-point shooting in the postseason. After shooting 32.1 percent from deep in his 47 regular season game with Houston, Rivers shot 45.7 percent from deep over the 10 postseason games he played. He was the Rockets most efficient three-point shooter from beyond the arc during the most important part of the year.
Rivers is now a free agent — but will be affordable. With Paul not being what he once was, it might be wise for the Rockets to consider keeping Rivers around — especially if Houston decides to trade Paul.
We are giving Rivers a B for the 2018-19 season.
