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Houston Rockets: Which Player Will Get The Final Roster Cut?

By Brian K. Patterson

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The Houston Rockets preseason is over and it’s time for the home stretch into the beginning of the season.  As we all look forward to the start, there are guys on this team crossing their fingers hoping they make the cut.

The Houston Rockets preseason is over and it’s time for the home stretch into the beginning of the season.  As we all look forward to the start, there are guys on this team crossing their fingers hoping they make the cut.

It has been a mostly eventful preseason for the Houston Rockets as we all were treated to an exhibition of Mike D’Antoni‘s shiny new toys in his heralded offense.

I have to admit, that it’s damn fun to watch and I think that’s going to the case this season.

Last season was unwatchable with the exception of the greatness that James Harden exudes from his stellar play on the hardwood.

Other than that, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, that team was one discombobulated mess of nothing that somehow backed their way into the playoffs.

I was happy for the berth but the way the Houston Rockets bowed out dishonorably is nothing short of forgettable.

But times have changed and this new-look Houston Rockets team is ready to do battle of the league’s best.

But the Houston Rockets have to pare down their roster to the final 15 by today before the start of the NBA season, which is tomorrow.

The Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen has already reported that Gary Payton II has been cut:

This leaves three more players to cut.

And who’s on the chopping block?

The Houston Rockets still have yet to make a decision on guards Bobby Brown and Tyler Ennis as well as forward Kyle Wiltjer.

Let me tell you who I’d cut if I were Daryl Morey.

It’d definitely be Bobby Brown.

Although he has had some terrific offensive performances in his time with us in the preseason, he seems quite one-dimensional and I’m not convinced that he’d be able to for this team.

Now that may not matter for a team coached by D’Antoni but I think his best opportunity is elsewhere.

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I do see Brown latching on to another team but it’s just not here.

Brown has averaged 9.6 points, 3.2 assists while shooting 40.5 percent from the field in five preseason games for the Houston Rockets.

Those are not earth-shattering numbers but enough to make somebody’s roster in this NBA, he’s also 32-years-old so he doesn’t have all that much time left.

I wish him the very best.

Now let’s get to Ennis and Wiltjer.

Ennis didn’t have the greatest of preseasons but because of his youth, his potential and his relatively-cheap contract will give him a spot on this roster.

This man is just two seasons removed from being a first-round pick out of Syracuse U so I think his growth has yet to reach his full potential.

We’ve seen flashes of brilliance and I honestly think that we’re going to see more.

Ennis averaged 6.8 points, 2.0 assists, 2.0 rebounds while shooting 39.4 percent from the field in 16.2 minutes per game through six preseason games.

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And last but not least, let’s talk about Wiltjer.

This forward with a 6’10”-frame can shoot lights-out from just about anywhere.

He’s an extremely-valuable weapon in this offense and I honestly think that there’s a spot for him on this team.

And the numbers don’t lie either — Wiltjer has averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds while shooting 47.5 percent from and 41.7 percent from three in 14.8 minutes per game through six preseason games.

Ladies and gentlemen, that’s immense production in the minutes he received and he can certainly be one of our most valuable players in terms of getting a three-ball nailed when we need it.

Gonzaga alums usually are well-disciplined and have had some great shooters, although they haven’t necessarily done as well as John Stockton, who was a precedent to the Mark Few era.

Hell, Ronny Turiaf lasted 11 seasons in the NBA — he was a Rocket for a day by the way in the Corey Brewer deal — and the same came be had with Kyle.

We’ll have to see but I think the next announcement that will be made will be in regard to Brown’s cut.

Go Houston Rockets.

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