Starting PG: Beverley or Lawson?

Post #1 » by **Mr. E** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 7:25 pm

OK, we've had Media Day and it is time to end the basketball hibernation and get back to work!

The Rockets are entering the 2015/2016 season with one of the deepest rosters that the team has ever assembled. Having this type of depth is great, but the team may find instances where they have decisions to make on player rotations. I think that we have clear starters in Harden, Howard & Ariza, leaving two positions where they could make some decisions. The big question everyone seems to have about Houston is who will be the starting point guard to go along with James Harden.

I have seen arguments for starting both players which make sense.

On one hand, Beverley is the better defender and he doesn't need the ball in his hands which allows Harden to control the offense.

On the other hand, Lawson is a far better offensive player, but that might mean that Harden must cede some control to maximize Lawson's potential.

There is a solid argument that you start Beverley and have him hound the opposing starting PG for 5-6 minutes, and then bring Lawson in fresh.

It will be interesting to see what McHale decides to do with this position. I will not use the term "controversy" to describe these guys like we're picking a quarterback because we all know that it's not always who starts that is as important as who finishes. We also know that Harden is cool with Lawson taking some of the offensive creation because he is exactly the type of player that Harden asked Morey to go and get.

Fortunately with this depth we will see all kinds of combinations on the floor. I think that we will see McHale try to stagger Harden & Lawson to help reduce Harden's minutes and that fits with the idea of Beverley remaining as the starter. Don't be surprised to see stretches in games this upcoming season where we see all three guys on the court at the same time. Running a Small Ball lineup of Harden, Lawson, Beverley with Ariza or Brewer at the 4 and any of our big guys at the 5 would make for a potent Small Ball squad.

While the choice is not in our hands, what is your opinion on the ideal starting PG for the Rockets and what roles everyone should expect?

MaxRider · Post #2 » by **MaxRider** » Tue Sep 29, 2015 8:26 pm

start Lawson
Lawson is new to the team
you want him to build chemistry with the other starter
only way is to play them together

rocketsballin · Post #3 » by **rocketsballin** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 1:43 am

if harden is wiling to play consistent defnese, as he should since everyone 's healthy and the lawson trade, then u have to start him. and a lot of defense is effort, all lawson has to do is not be a lazy ass and contest shots. he's a small guard so he's quicker, and on a contender, so it shouldlnt be a problem.

K_chile22 · Post #4 » by **K_chile22** » Wed Sep 30, 2015 12:51 pm

rocketsballin wrote:if harden is wiling to play consistent defnese, as he should since everyone 's healthy and the lawson trade, then u have to start him. and a lot of defense is effort, all lawson has to do is not be a lazy ass and contest shots. he's a small guard so he's quicker, and on a contender, so it shouldlnt be a problem.

Lawson's problem isn't laziness it's just that he has short arms so he has trouble getting around screens and contesting shots from taller guards. Like against curry in the playoffs a few years ago. Curry had no problem shooting over him because of how short he was. He is not a bad team defender at all and won't mess up your system but he is 1 on 1 in some match ups

Nebula1 · Post #5 » by **Nebula1** » Fri Oct 2, 2015 4:30 pm

I think there is no doubt Lawson becomes the starter. This was the most underrated offseason move of the entire NBA and could result in a championship.

Now the Rockets have Beverley to terrorize second unit guards which should allow leads to be held longer.

Post #6 » by **Mr. E** » Fri Oct 2, 2015 7:02 pm

The Rockets entire offseason could be classified as underrated. Lawson on the cheap, getting Bev & Brewer to resign on good deals, getting KJ to stay with the team and my dark horse pick for the most underrated move: Thornton. I think that guy could thrive here!

Maybe "underrated" isn't the right word, but all of these moves (apart from Lawson) were definitely under the radar.

moofs · Post #7 » by **moofs** » Sat Oct 3, 2015 1:11 am

Most overrated being Aldridge?

inquisitive · Post #8 » by **inquisitive** » Sat Oct 3, 2015 4:51 pm

depending on the teams we play i believe. against a team like the warriors, start bev...take him out early though.

zapatasblood · Post #9 » by **zapatasblood** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 7:15 pm

I think I want Bev starting. Just the idea of having Lawson, Brewer and Jones to come in off the bench in exciting

Nebula1 · Post #10 » by **Nebula1** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 8:52 pm

zapatasblood wrote:I think I want Bev starting. Just the idea of having Lawson, Brewer and Jones to come in off the bench in exciting

Not going to happen. Both Lawson and Jones are likely starters.

That said, the second unit is scary:

Beverley
Thornton
Brewer
Motiejunas
Capela

I swear that unit could make the Playoffs in the East.

zapatasblood · Post #11 » by **zapatasblood** » Mon Oct 5, 2015 11:08 pm

Lawson is likely starting for sure but it's going to be motiejunas is starting. That's his spot to lose

Lorenzomax7 · Post #12 » by **Lorenzomax7** » Tue Oct 6, 2015 10:22 am

No matter how we thought.. the coach staff probably want Beverley to start ...

I am not quite sure which plan is better but I feel like both Lawson and Jones might be better coming off the bench.

kam_soluusar · Post #13 » by **kam_soluusar** » Tue Oct 6, 2015 11:51 am

I don't care as long as we win.

Lazy Faizy · Post #14 » by **Lazy Faizy** » Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:45 pm

I know I'm a little late, but the OP should have included a poll question for this thread.
Anyway, I think Beverly should still start, splitting the minutes evenly between himself and Lawson. Lawson can be the spark off the bench along with Brewer. That's my 2 cents.

inquisitive · Post #15 » by **inquisitive** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 5:40 pm

playing warriors tonite...bev should start.

Nebula1 · Post #16 » by **Nebula1** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 7:05 pm

I think there is no question Lawson is the starter unless he's terrible. Beverley got a nice paycheck this summer to be a bench God.

Bev's +/- should be great this season.

Post #17 » by **Mr. E** » Thu Oct 15, 2015 8:08 pm

There's an SI article out talking about the best benches in the NBA. They list the Rockets as #1 and specifically point to the Beverley/Brewer combo as the highlight.

Our top five guys on the bench could roll with some starting rosters out there.

Nebula1 · Post #18 » by **Nebula1** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 3:03 am

Yep, Beverley, McDaniels, Brewer, Motiejunas, Capela might make the Playoffs in the East.

No-Man · Post #19 » by **No-Man** » Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:25 am

Nebula1 wrote:Yep, Beverley, McDaniels, Brewer, Motiejunas, Capela might make the Playoffs in the East.

Eh.... no way, it is a strong bench, but that's it.
I like the Rockets bench, it is not the best in the league though, Boston, Cleveland, Golden St., are clearly stronger, and there are a few more at a similar level as the Rockets unit.

Nebula1 · Post #20 » by **Nebula1** » Sat Oct 17, 2015 9:08 am

Fischella wrote:
Nebula1 wrote:Yep, Beverley, McDaniels, Brewer, Motiejunas, Capela might make the Playoffs in the East.

Eh.... no way, it is a strong bench, but that's it.
I like the Rockets bench, it is not the best in the league though, Boston, Cleveland, Golden St., are clearly stronger, and there are a few more at a similar level as the Rockets unit.

There is no way Boston or Cleveland have stronger benches. Capela alone would potentially start for either squad and there are few guys who would play over Houstons bench. Golden State does have a nice bench as well but for now, Houstons is top 3 in the League.