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Houston Rockets: Iman Shumpert has much to prove

By Suraj Sukumar

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 9: Iman Shumpert #1 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 9: Iman Shumpert #1 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 9, 2019 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets traded Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss and multiple picks to bring in Iman Shumpert for their 2018-19 playoff push.

Iman Shumpert is one of many player projects the Houston Rockets have welcomed since last year. After a lackluster experience with ex-Phoenix Suns Brandon Knight and Marquese Chriss, the Rockets moved on fairly quickly, sending them to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs paid most of the price to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal, which allowed Shumpert to join Houston.

The Rockets have a solid backcourt foundation in James Harden, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon and Gerald Green. All four have enjoyed success behind the arc and Shumpert is hoping to join the mix in some way. However, he will have a lot to prove if he hopes to gain the confidence of his teammates and coaching staff.

In two games with the Rockets, Shumpert has already been averaging 24.5 minutes per game. While it is expected that his field goals attempted will decrease with so many mouths to feed, his numbers need to improve from an efficiency perspective. His early field goal percentage of 23.1 is unacceptable, along with his disappointing 25 percent shooting from 3.

Two games is a small sample size, but the Rockets will be hoping to see the Shumpert who was averaging 8.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on 36.6 percent shooting from 3 this year in Sacramento.

Even if the offense is unneeded, learning the system and fitting in with the Rockets will be imperative. Carmelo Anthony was shipped off because of his defensive liabilities, but Shumpert has the opportunity to become the defensive specialist they’ve needed for quite some time. They have plenty of scorers, but a good defensive presence, especially at the small forward position, will help them deal with the Western Conference’s best teams.

Let’s not forget that Shumpert was the only rookie in 2012 to receive votes as the Defensive Player of the Year. If the same player shows up this season for the Rockets, they may have landed exactly what they need to make a successful playoff push. Shumpert is the fifth-highest paid player on the Rockets roster at $11 million, and he has every opportunity to rejoin the rotation of a championship-caliber team.

At 28 years old, Shumpert has a chance to find a long-term role in the NBA. He has been relied upon for too much in the past, but he was enjoying a bounce-back season in Sacramento and the Rockets provide the perfect situation for him to succeed. The offensive pressures for him should be limited, which will allow him to focus on what he does best: play defense.

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Shumpert is now suiting up for his fourth NBA franchise, but all signs point to this being the best fit. If he can play his best basketball for the rest of the season, he may have found a permanent home in Houston.

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