Alright, fantasy basketball fans it’s time for another 2015-16 team preview. The Houston Rockets were closer than ever last season at getting back to the NBA Finals, however, they fell short once again. This season, with stars Dwight Howard, James Harden and newcomer Ty Lawson, the Rockets are primed to make another deep playoff run and hopefully help your fantasy squads along the way. There is a vast amount of fantasy upside coming out of Houston in 2015-16, so let’€™s cover some guys who you may not be quite familiar with.
So, here it is, my 2015-16 Houston Rockets team preview:
Ty Lawson, PG
Lawson moved from a dreadful situation in Denver to a potential championship winning team down in Houston. Last season, with the Nuggets, he averaged 15.2 points, 9.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds per game. He also helps out in other fantasy categories, Lawson grabs 1.2 steals per game and shot 43 percent from the field last year. Lawson is a true point guard, which is exactly what Houston was missing in 2014 and can be a starting caliber player for your fantasy team. In mock drafts this off-season, I’€™ve seen Lawson go as low as the 6th Round, grab him here at all costs because he will have a big 2015-16 season.
One set back in Lawson’€™s game is his lack of durability, in six seasons he’€™s never played a full year. Maybe this year will be his first full one since he’€™s actually playing for a good team. One other thing to look at prior to drafting Lawson is whether or not he will win the starting gig in Houston. There is one other guy with the Rockets, who has starting point guard potential and we’€™ll discuss him next!
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
17.5 points, 10.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds
Patrick Beverley, PG
Beverley will be Lawson’€™s main competition this season for the starting point guard position. Beverley is an under the radar kind of player who could be a sneaky fantasy option this upcoming NBA season. Last year, he averaged 10.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. In 2014, he did average 30.1 minutes and 1.1 steals per game as well, which both help to pad his stats for fantasy purposes. The biggest question mark going into the 2015-16 season is whether or not he can beat Lawson out for the starting job.
With every good player comes some nagging problems, though. Over his first three NBA seasons, Beverley has never played in more than 56 games. I see Beverley having a slight edge going into the start of training camp as being the starter on opening night. We will likely see a very heated training camp between the two because of Beverley’™s nagging defensive antics. Overall, he could be a solid late round option in your fantasy drafts, however, I see Lawson as the best point guard contributor for fantasy purposes.
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
12.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists
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Terrence Jones, PF
Jones could very well be a key cog to the gears that run this Houston Rockets squad. All I want to know is can he finally get it together this season, not only for the Rockets but also for our fantasy teams. In 2014, Jones averaged 11.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game. He also shot a nice 54 percent from the field for the 2014 season and can be a solid scoring option for the Rockets. He reminds me of a Draymond Green type of player who can do it all at both ends of the court. Inserting him alongside Dwight Howard can be a deadly option in Houston as long as Jones can stay healthy.
So, health is the biggest question mark going into every season with Jones. Just last year, he was only able to appear in 33 games for Houston. This is one of the main reasons fantasy players didn’€™t acquire him for their rosters. With fellow power forward, Donatas Motiejunas already sidelined due to an off-season back surgery, the minutes will be there for Jones. If he stays off the injured list this year, he will have his best season yet and will be a perfect player to grab late in your upcoming fantasy drafts.
Fantasy Prediction for 2015-16
14.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks
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