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Houston Rockets: Mike D’Antoni’s latest change to the roster

By Brian K. Patterson

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Mike D'Antoni of the Houston Rockets looks on against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on December 29, 2017 in Washington, DC. 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 Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets will re-commence their 2017-18 season after the All-Star Break by taking on the Minnesota Timberwolves tomorrow night at Toyota Center.  But according to the Mike D’Antoni, what we’ll see out on the floor will be a lot different than what we’re accustomed to.  What’s going on?

The Houston Rockets are truly have their navigational course set with competing with the Golden State Warriors to win a NBA championship.  With as deep as this team has ever been in recent history — you’d have to date back to the back-to-back title days — the pendulum is obviously set shift their way to prosperity.

It’s a terrific position to be in, considering the Houston Rockets are 44-13, jockeying for position for the league’s best record and are riding high on a double-digit 10-game win streak to boot.  With the additions of Joe Johnson and Brandan Wright to the team, Mike D’Antoni is tasked with how enough minutes are to go around a roster that is completely healthy at this moment.

But according to the Houston Chronicle’s Jonathan Feigen, he’s got elixir to provide the fixer to keep this team rolling as it did before the start of the break.  What does he plan to do?

REDUCE EVERYBODY’S MINUTES ACROSS THE BOARD.

It’s a simple notion yet effective for what the team needs to do going into the final 25 games of the season.  Ryan Anderson has moved to the bench and Trevor Ariza will likely come off the bench as well, especially with the dominant level of play that Luc Mbah a Moute was able to garner while Ariza was out.

Ariza has missed nine games, by far the most in his career and he seems to be perfectly fine with it, knowing that he’ll have the gas to help this team go the distance as time progress through the next couple of months.  I’d like to see Mbah a Moute continue to start with the minutes being even split between the two at the three-spot.

It’s already indicative of James Harden.  He’s averaging a Rockets’ career-low 35.8 minutes per game and I’d imagine that’s going to fall further.  Should you be concerned?  Absolutely not.  He

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has proven time and again that he can be ultra-effective even when his minutes are reduced.  The Beard demonstrated that when he was slowly brought back in the fold from his hamstring injury sustained a couple of months ago.

This is down from his career-high of 38.3 minutes per game in the 2012-13 season, his first with the Houston Rockets.  This is good for him as we’ve seen too many times where was completely exhausted whenever it was time to take charge in the playoffs.  Don’t make me mention Game 6 of the Western Conference Semis with the San Antonio Spurs last season!

Feigen also notes that the Opening Night starting lineup back in October has only been together less than a third of the season.  This has not had a dramatic impact on their level of play and it some regards, it made them stronger not having to rely on just a chosen few to win games.

Next: What makes the Rockets strong 2017-18 contenders

I’d recommend that you buckle up your seat belt as it’s going to be interesting to see which five men are going to be battling atop the hardwood nightly for this final stretch.

That’s what I’m talking about — go Rockets.

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