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Houston Rockets: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after scoring against New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 112-111. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets
Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) drives the ball during the third quarter as Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Adding Anderson

Were the Rockets going to try and replace Dwight Howard with Al Horford? Did they have a chance at snagging fellow lefty Mike Conley for the backcourt? Were they a dark horse in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes?

These were the types of questions Rockets fans wanted to start permeating the free agency chatter for their team, but in the end, Ryan Anderson wound up being Houston’s marquee signing this offseason.

To be clear, that’s not a terrible thing. Anderson’s abilities as a stretch-4 have long been tailor-made for Morey’s three-point-heavy attack and adding Ryno to an offense that was already ranked eighth last season is going to make them that much deadlier.

Anderson also bolsters Houston’s three-point attack. Though the Rockets attempted the second-most three-pointers in the league last season (30.9 per game), they only made 34.7 percent of them — ranking 19th in three-point percentage.

Last year, Anderson was a top Sixth Man of the Year candidate, averaging 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 36.6 percent from three-point range. That last number will need to increase in Houston, as will his number of games played (66, 61 and 22 over the last three seasons).

However, if Anderson can stay on the court, he’ll be a definite boon to an already formidable offense. Good luck cutting off Harden’s penetration when he’s flanked with a shooter like Ryan Anderson on the perimeter.

Ryno is also extremely effective in the post, and was an efficient scorer in off-screen situations as well, per Synergy Sports.

The only problem is, a four-year, $80 million contract is WAY too much money for an injury-prone 28-year-old power forward, especially one who has as many defensive shortcomings as Ryan Anderson.

Though he’s a great fit for the offense, he only exacerbates the flaws of a team that ranked 21st in defensive rating last year. The season Houston went to the conference finals, they had the league’s sixth ranked defense, helping compensate for Harden’s flaws on that end and the absence of Dwight Howard.

The Rockets are right to have faith in Clint Capela‘s long-term outlook, but it’s going to take some time for him to become a defensive anchor. Surrounding Harden with a player like Anderson doesn’t make that adjustment any easier, even with the clear advantages Ryno brings to Houston’s offense.

Within a Mike D’Antoni offense and playing alongside Harden, Ryan Anderson will be unleashed like never before. But given the health concerns and the $20 million annual salary for a defensively flawed player, this deal only gets a passing grade.

Grade: C

Next: Getting Gordon

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