Despite not hearing his name called on draft night, Houston Rockets guard Chris Clemons has recently sought to make an imposing case for why most general managers might have made a huge mistake.
Just three months ago, Chris Clemons found himself completely isolated down in the depths of the Mojave Desert. Without having secured an official roster spot, as the 22-year-old point guard would do all in his power to garner the eyes of scouts and fans with the Houston Rockets at NBA Summer League.
Now, Clemons is one step closer to turning his ultimate hoop dreams into reality, as the former Campbell star who once dropped ice cold buckets in college has captured the attention of many in Clutch City.
Including his current teammates in the process.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1182268836281667585
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Clemons — who signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Rockets prior to training camp — has continued to show flashes of greatness en route to averaging 13.3 points per game for Houston through the first four games of the preseason.
"“He has been good the whole time,” Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni said per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chroniclewhen asked about Clemons’ play thus far in exhibition and prospects of earning a spot on the 14-man roster. “Good in summer league. Good now. I think there’s a chance, a real good chance.“Anybody that plays like that, that strong, that quick, that explosive, has a good chance.”"
Although it remains to be seen what specific direction the Rockets will seek to go with Clemons in the days and hours to come, no one can deny that the undersized rookie is constructing a strong case for why he should be viewed as a serious candidate for one of Houston’s final roster slots.
On top of a potential two-way contract, as the man who led NCAA Division I in scoring with 30.1 points per game last year has displayed the ability to be an adequate threat either on or off the ball.
Clemons has also shown that he is not afraid to go toe-to-toe with the game’s biggest stars in the minutes he has shared the floor with either Russell Westbrook or James Harden.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/1180022029468291073
"“That’s what you want,” Clemons told reporters when asked about gaining the opportunity to go to battle with The Beard & Brodie duo in live action. “That’s how you get better … those guys will really make you better … they’re kind of taking me under their wing.“I’m just enjoying the opportunity I’ve been given and working every day to try to make this roster. Hopefully I’ll make the roster and be a full-time NBA player. But that’s stuff I can’t control. I’m just playing my game.”"
Should he continue to play as he has, it might help him earn the preferable job of his choice, as carving out his role — and putting together quality outings over the Rockets final two dress rehearsals — could be the difference between whether the 5’9″, 180-pound standout finds himself in The Association or G League prior to the season’s official tip-off.