The Houston Rockets appear set to start three guards in the 2020-21 season, with Eric Gordon joining James Harden and John Wall.
With Harden making his preseason debut on Tuesday night, either Gordon or Danuel House Jr. needed to move to the bench to make room for the All-Star guard’s insertion into the starting lineup.
In pregame comments, head coach Stephen Silas confirmed that Gordon would retain his starting spot, and he said he was leaning to that arrangement for the start of the regular season, as well. Here’s why:
It’s always good to have Eric on the floor, whether it’s off the bench or starting. His shooting, defense, there’s just a lot good about him. House is the same way.
Right now, Eric gives us another ball-handler that we can have on the floor. As I’ve said, I like guys who can do multiple things. I like guys who can play off closeouts, and that’s what he’s good at. Really, it’s great to have both guys. I understand why they kind of went back and forth last year, because it’s not an easy decision. But right now, Eric’s the guy, and House will get plenty of minutes and plenty of opportunities to do his thing.
While the 6-foot-6 House offers more size and youth than the 6-foot-4 Gordon, Silas has raved throughout training camp about the veteran guard’s impressive play on both offense and defense.
A season ago, former head coach Mike D’Antoni bounced back and forth between Gordon and House as his fifth starter, and both players were reportedly frustrated with their usage at times. In particular, Gordon was believed to want a defined role as either a starter or the sixth man.
While Silas didn’t rule out an eventual change, Tuesday’s comments made it clear that the decision to start Gordon isn’t merely an experiment. Rather, it’s what Houston plans to do entering the regular season.
Gordon started Tuesday’s home exhibition versus San Antonio alongside Harden, Wall, and PJ Tucker and DeMarcus Cousins in the frontcourt. When healthy, Christian Wood (sore left elbow) will replace Cousins.
Silas says he wants as many ball handlers on the floor as possible to attack closeouts and it drove his decision to start Gordon over House.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 15, 2020
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