Return Of Patrick Beverley Has Houston Rockets Soaring
By Simon Smith
Beverley’s Value
Some players just have that intangible quality that can either separate them from the field, or simply make their teammates better. Recently, head coach D’Antoni made a good summation of Beverley’s value to the Rockets:
"He’s all in and understanding the game, talking the game, watching film, understanding the game plan, understanding the players. I think our defense is getting a lot better with him out there because of his toughness. He is smart and plays with an edge. You’ve got to have that."
On the surface, Beverley’s numbers don’t jump off the page. He is averaging 7.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 28.8 minutes per game. When looking at his numbers alone, the impact he has made in transforming the Rockets is hard to quantify. But furthermore, there are some statistical measurements that demonstrate Beverley’s real value.
Over his nine games, Beverley is a plus-7.7 when on the floor. Over the past three wins against Denver, Golden State in double overtime and Boston, Beverley is an overall plus-41 when on the floor. They are staggering numbers.
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Even further, over the last six games, Beverley is an overall plus-73 when on the floor. Some players values are hard to judge and quantify, and Beverley clearly falls under this category.
An example of Beverley’s worth came in the Rockets’ recent 130-114 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Beverley posted just one point on 0-of-5 from the floor, along with four assists and two rebounds in 35 minutes of court time.
He finished the game, however, a plus-16 when on the floor, a team high. So despite a starting guard playing 35 minutes and scoring just one point, the Rockets scored 130 on the road and won the game comfortably.
Beverley is simply a great compliment for any team, but particularly the Rockets. There is after all only one ball, and Houston don’t always needs five players out there whose first priority is to put the ball in the hole.
Beverley’s main asset and contribution is the outright tenaciousness he brings each game at both ends. Having said that, he is more than capable of hitting the open shot, as evidenced by his 39.3 percent clip from three-point range this season on 2.8 attempts per game.
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Now that the Rockets have experienced this surge with Beverley back in the lineup, it will fascinating to see how they fare moving forward.