Houston Rockets: Complete 2017 offseason grades
Luc Mbah a Moute signing
First there was the re-signing of Nene. Then P.J. Tucker was added. After that, Houston agreed to sign Tarik Black, and last but not least, they agreed to add Luc Mbah a Moute.
The most important similarity in all of those signings is that all four of those players are (for the most part) defensive-minded, especially Tucker and Mbah a Moute.
Michael Scotto reported that Mbah a Moute will sign for the veteran’s minimum on a one-year deal, which is incredible value for Houston. Mbah a Moute declined a $2.3 million player option to enter free agency this season, and the Rockets were able to sign him for even less money at $2.1 million.
Even though Mbah a Moute didn’t find a free agency deal until mid-July, and even though he will take the veteran’s minimum, don’t be fooled: He is worth much more than that salary. Mbah a Moute will turn 31 before the 2017-18 season starts, but he still a very good defender and is coming off a career shooting year.
Last year, he posted a 1.6 defensive box plus-minus and was ninth in the league among power forwards in defensive real plus-minus, posting a 2.32. Mbah a Moute is a very versatile defender, and at 6’8″ he is able to guard a variety of positions, from guards to power forwards.
In the above video, Mbah a Moute forces Leonard into tough shot after tough shot, stands his ground against Aldridge, and forces a couple of turnovers on both players. That is how you play excellent defense against two very skilled offensive players.
Turning to the offensive side of his game, Mbah a Moute could be a stranglehold on Houston’s offense with his limited shooting or ball-handling. To say Mbah a Moute relies on other players to create open looks for him would be an understatement. For his career, 70.4 percent of Mbah a Moute’s two-point field goals and 97.9 percent of his three-pointers have been assisted on.
Looking at his shooting, there is reason for optimism. Even though he is a career 32.4 percent shooter from beyond the arc, last season Mbah a Moute shot a career high 39.1 percent on three-pointers.
With the Rockets bench now consisting of Eric Gordon, Tucker, Mbah a Moute, and Nene, it will be interesting to see the rotations that Mike D’Antoni comes up with, especially when it relates to playing both Tucker and Mbah a Moute together.
In the end, the signing of Mbah a Moute for the veteran’s minimum is an absolute steal for the Rockets. Mbah a Moute provides Houston with another above-average defender and an improved shooter. Even after trading several rotational players to obtain Chris Paul, the Rockets are once again a deep team. Only this time, they’re an improved defensive team as well.
Grade: A