Houston Rockets: Three players to see role increase with Melo departure
By T.A. Mock
Gary Clark, F
Gary Clark went undrafted out of Cincinnati in the 2018 draft. He had a very solid but unspectacular career as a Bearcat. He was a starter from day one, was named to the All-Rookie team in the AAC, named AAC defensive player of the year twice, and AAC player of the year once.
Clark averaged double-digit points throughout his career at Cincinnati to go with over eight rebounds a game. He also was able to rack up over a steal and a block per game. Clark was renowned for his disciplined basketball, averaging less than two fouls and turnovers a game.
The Houston Rockets inked Clark to a deal after the draft and Clark showed out enough in training camp and in preseason enough to beat out other players en route to a two-way contract with the Rockets and the Vipers.
More from House of Houston
- Are you the 2021 FanSided Sports Fan of the Year?
- Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
- Astros-Twins Wild Card Series: 5 things to know as MLB postseason begins
- Houston Texans: The Most Underrated Sports Drought Ever
- Houston Texans: J.J. Watt’s early case for NFL Hall of Fame
That being said, he has yet to be sent down to Rio Grande Valley and has spent the season traveling with the Rockets. He has been a surprising asset to this team and should see his role increase with the prospective departure of Melo.
Clark is only getting 16 minutes per game right now but with the way he has been performing, his minutes need to increase. Clark has been solid offensively shooting threes a good clip that will be more than serviceable, especially as he continues to grow as a player.
Clark can fill the role Melo was supposed to on offense, spot-up threes and increase ball movement. However, he also adds defensive value as well. Clark has shown this off a lot in recent games and could actually make him more valuable to the Houston Rockets than Melo was.
Next. Top 30 Rockets of all time. dark
The Houston Rockets are going to need these three guys to step once Melo is officially gone, I guess, if he is eventually cut. There is no guarantee but it seems inevitable at this point and the team will need Ennis, Gordon, and Clark to elevate their games.