McLemore’s big night proves he’s got something in reserve
Rockets guard Ben McLemore wanted an opportunity to grow.
The former seventh overall draft pick, waived by the Sacramento Kings in his second stint with the team in February, signed with the Rockets in July.
As he prepares to face the team that drafted him Monday night at Toyota Center, McLemore looks to maintain a shooting rhythm that has continued despite his recent return to a bench role.
“Big difference, obviously, just being on a team that’s been in the playoffs and has veteran experience and things like that,” McLemore said. “Obviously, (Sacramento) is the team that drafted me, so nothing bad to say about them, but overall being here, just having that support system here to help me build my game on a higher level, the veteran guys here with James (Harden), Russ (Westbrook) and P.J. (Tucker) and those guys, they do a great job helping me reach my potential.
“I think I’m the same player. I’m in a better opportunity, I would say, and have a better opportunity to play my game at a higher level with great All-Star guys around me making my game easier.”
McLemore cracked a smile as he ran back downcourt with less than two minutes remaining against the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night. He’d just contorted his body to score a reverse layup that gave the Rockets a 12-point lead in a 115-109 win.
He finished the game with 27 points, the first time in his career he has contributed more than 25 in consecutive games. He had led the Rockets with a seasonhigh 28 points against Toronto the game before.
“Ben’s playing great,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We always thought he was going to play well. … He plays good defense, so it’s just a matter of shooting. If you watch him shoot, he’s got great form, great shooter, so why wouldn’t he play well? There was no reason other than just feeling comfortable and getting into a role and all that.”
Following three straight starts, McLemore came off the bench to produce Saturday’s performance. Forward Danuel House Jr. returned to the starting lineup after recovering from an illness.
McLemore averaged 21 points in those three starts. In seven starts overall this season, he averaged 18 points in 30.6 minutes per game.
But as a reserve, the shooting guard had slumped to a 6.2-point average in the five games preceding his recent starts. He averages 10 points per game on the season.
That difference between starting and bench production prompted questions about whether D’Antoni would consider starting McLemore regularly to optimize his contributions. Saturday’s effort was something of a relief for the coach, mainly because he hoped it would put an end to questions about McLemore’s current role — which will continue to be as a bench player.
“It doesn’t matter,” D’Antoni said. “Thirty minutes are 30 minutes whether he starts and plays 30 or comes off the bench, plays 30. I think the production will be the same. He didn’t have a couple good games not starting, but then last night Ben has maybe his best game, so I think it’s just a coincidence. It’s such a small sample, You can’t go on five games. Now over 10 seasons, you might say, ‘Well, maybe he’s a better starter.’ ”
McLemore expects his confidence and play to improve as he continues to become acclimated to Houston.
“I think just getting comfortable being a Rocket,” D’Antoni said of his development. “He’s been a big piece for us, so (whether he starts or not) doesn’t really matter.”