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Houston Rockets: 2019-2020 season player grades

By James Mueller

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Four of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 10, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Houston Rockets Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Houston Rockets Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images /

Houston Rockets grade: Danuel House

Danuel House played a big role for the Rockets this season. Whether starting, which he did 52 times in the regular season, or coming off the bench, House played big minutes for Houston and was a key piece to their small-ball approach.

Offensively, House averaged 10.5 points per game during the regular season. A majority of House’s points came from 3-pointers, as House shot 36.3 percent from deep and was one of Harden and Westbrook’s first options to kick the ball out to.

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Not only did House present a shooting threat, but he also proved he has the ability to attack the rim off the dribble which makes him much more versatile on offense.

Defensively, House’s length was key for a Rockets team who rarely had anyone 6-foot-8 or taller on the floor. In a Rockets defense that switches everything, having House on the floor was key for their small-ball approach to work.

Despite the value he brought to the Rockets in the regular season, House made one of the stupidest decisions in the playoffs by being caught with a female COVID tester in his hotel room, which was against NBA protocols and resulted in House getting kicked out of the bubble.

This decision eliminated any possibility of the Rockets defeating the Lakers, even though the series was tied 1-1 when House was caught violating league protocols because House was an essential part of Houston’s gameplan and his production off the bench was something the Rockets heavily relied on.

The fact that House put his own desires ahead of his team’s push for a championship is extremely selfish. As a result of hurting his team with this decision, House’s overall grade for the season drops a full letter grade.

Season Grade: C

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