As we learned earlier today, James Harden is confident that his new teammate Ty Lawson can overcome his alcohol-related issues and fit in well with the Rockets. Lawson, who recently completed a 30-day rehab program in the wake of his second DUI of the year, was shipped from Denver to Houston last month in a five-player deal.
Whether Lawson will be available for the season opener is subject to debate, according to an ESPN.com report. The league normally does not administer punishment until after court cases have been settled, the report points out. Lawson is due back in court on Aug. 20th in Denver.
There are more reasons to think Lawson and the Rockets won’t quite work so well besides his troubled past. Lawson does not exactly complement Harden because the two have similar skills — and similar deficiencies. Lawson is a ball-dominant player and is not a great defender. Despite that, I believe Lawson improves the Rockets because he is such a threat offensively. He also provides the team some speed that was seemingly missing during the playoffs.
Thus, the question of the day: Keeping in mind Lawson’s struggle with alcohol, how does Lawson fit with the Rockets?
Take to the comments section below to sound off with your thoughts and opinions. We look forward to what you have to say.
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I think he’ll fit in just fine, actually. I see Lawson as a quintessential sixth man for this Rockets team, one who’s able to fill in for Patrick Beverley or James Harden to equal effect. Yes, the Rockets will be poorer defensively when Lawson and Harden play together, but you can make up for that by putting them in lineups Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard or another strong defender.
Presuming he can put his off-court issues behind him, a sizable if, I see Lawson thriving with the Rockets.
One or the other, Lawson or Harden, should be on the court at all times, never leaving them without a playmaker. Harden might be able to rest more, since the offense won’t be as dependent on him.
Agreed. Harden bore a tremendous burden last season. Lawson will help alleviate that and provide some more easy baskets for the team in transition.
This is an excellent pickup by the rockets yet it appears as though they are still under the radar by the media which is good. Having an excess of attention on the team would be a bad influence. With Lawson we have corrected most of the team’s deficiencies. Playmaking will be greatly enhanced plus with another year of consistency and internal development, our offense will be be back to being formidable. If the rockets can keep their defensive intensity and schemes of last season the sky is the limit, health permitting. If only we can have the type of healthy season the Warriors had
If only the Rockets had a season of normal health! It’s surprising how much they accomplished with half a season from Dwight Howard, less than half a season from Terrence Jones and no Patrick Beverley or Donatas Motiejunas for the playoffs.
Not taking alcohol issues lightly but would they have ever been able to get him without that happening again? Probably would have had to give up Terrance jones or D-mo
They not only got him cheaply, they got him to remove the guarantee from the final year (2016/17) of his contract. There’s virtually no risk for the Rockets.
I hope it means they’ll install a real crunch time offense, instead of having James Harden play one on five. Even when it works, its hard on the eyes. Lol.
Lawson is a nice piece for them. He’s the additional scorer that they sorely needed, I’m just not sure he pushes the Rockets up any further on the Western Conference ladder.
I still have GS, SAS, OKC, and Memphis ahead of them. You could also make a case for the Clippers.