Houston Rockets: 5 takeaways from the 2018 NBA Summer League

5. Isaiah Hartenstein shows signs of growth

Last year in Las Vegas, Isaiah Hartenstein appeared to be a player who was completely baffled by the tempo of the professional game, as the 43rd overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft often looked like a deer in the headlights when on the floor.

Hartenstein, who played just 9.1 minutes per game for the Rockets in the 2017 Summer League, averaged 4.4 points per game behind Zhou Qi and Chinanu Onuaku, while shooting 36.3 percent from the field. The 7’0″ center from Europe passed on a lucrative deal overseas to accept and take a G League contract with the Rockets’ affiliate in Rio Grande Valley.

It was a place where he could learn how to play in Houston’s system in the effort to work his way onto the official roster someday.

"“The speed was a little too fast for him,” Rockets summer league assistant coach Matt Brase told Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “You saw that with the turnovers and excessive fouling last year in Las Vegas.”"

Now, Hartenstein appears to have found his stride, as the player who needed time to find his role within the Rockets’ pick-and-roll heavy offense seems to have discovered it.

In four games played at the 2018 NBA Summer League, Hartenstein showcased his ability to score out on the perimeter and the low block at an effective rate, averaging 10.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for the Rockets. In addition to a new and improved motor on the defensive end, the second-year big man led the team with 2.3 blocks per game and displayed a level of confidence that could help him end up in Houston sooner than expected.

"“He looks like a different player,” Rockets summer league head coach Roy Rogers told Feigen. “His body looks better. He understands our system more. He’s playing, he’s reacting instead of having to think.”"

Although nobody knows whether or not Hartenstein’s play at Summer League will translate to the real action this October, the 20-year-old big man showed that he is at least worth a look in training camp, as his ability to shoot — combined with his ability to protect the rim — could help him emerge as a quality backup center on a Rockets roster with Tarik Black and an aging Nene.