Honoring Lewis
Coach expresses his dedication to voting rights for U.S. citizens
» DA’ ntoni wears “vote” T-shirt as a tribute to late civil rights icon.
Hours after watching the funeral of civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis, Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni wore the latest in his collection of “vote” Tshirts and then strongly appealed not only for citizens to register and vote, but to strengthen voting rights, one of the central missions of Lewis’ life.
“It’s fundamental to our democracy,” D’Antoni said. “One thing that’s not talked enough about, we don’t vote en masse enough. The percentage is way too long. Too many obstacles put in front of people to deny them their constitutional right to vote. We have to strive to do better. His whole life was dedicated to that. It’ll be a great tribute to him to pass the voting (rights) act in his name. It’s on the senate’s desk. And get it right.”
The Voting Rights Advancement Act (HR 4) was renamed on Monday The John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. It passed a House vote in December but has not been brought to a vote in the Senate.
“Why are we even squabbling?” D’Antoni said. “Why are we even having this discussion in a democracy where everybody has the right to vote, vote freely, whatever it takes, whether it’s expanded days, make it easy for people, whether it’s a national holiday, whatever it takes to get every citizen the right to vote shouldn’t be a discussion and it already should be done.
“When somebody has to dedicate their whole life’s work to that, there is something wrong with what’s going on. This is what we’re talking about. Hopefully, we’re all striving to get a more perfect union. You can’t do that when there’s racial injustice. We have to strive to do better. We’re not doing real well right now in how we’re running things. Voting is the only answer.”
Lewis, who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1987 until his death July 17, was one of the original Freedom Riders and organizers and speakers at the March on Washington.
“Everybody has the right to vote,” D’Antoni said. “I think that’s how things change. That’s how things get better. That’s how we get to a better place.”
Opener vs. Mavs to test the defense
The Mavericks, the Rockets’ opponent in Friday’s restart opener, are on pace to be statistically the greatest offensive team in NBA history, averaging 115.8 points per 100 possessions.
The Rockets have the next-best offense in the NBA, averaging 113.4 points per 100 possessions (118.1 points per game, .5 fewer than the Bucks), but quickly should get a idea of how much they have progressed defensively in the summer training camp.
“They have one of the best offenses in the league,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “our defense is going to have to be engaged every possession. Obviously, Luka ( Doncic) handles the ball and is in control of the team. ( Kristaps) Porzingis being about to shoot. We have to make sure … our talk is where it need to be. And then, rebound the basketball, give ourselves a chance.”
In the two meetings this season, the Mavericks averaged 129 points against the Rockets, including one game played without Doncic, while the Rockets averaged 125.5 points. Doncic had 41 points and 10 assists against the Rockets this season. Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. combined to average 52 points.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said he expects the Rockets to have the top-rated offense in the postseason, even if not on top in the regular season.
“First of all, it ticks me off we’re not first,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We’re right behind them. Kudos to Rick Carlisle, his staff, players, they’ve done a terrific job. It is a great offense, great players. We’re striving to be better than that.
“It’s going to come down to we have to do a good job of stopping them, and vice-a-versa. They’re a good team. They’re a dangerous team.”
Several players fill Gordon’s spot
As much as the Rockets considered the injury to Eric Gordon a significant blow, he plays their deepest position with Ben McLemore playing well through the scrimmages and Austin Rivers back after his brief departure from the NBA campus and subsequent quarantine period.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said Danuel House Jr. likely would move back into the starting lineup in the role he held before the hiatus with the bulk of Gordon’s minutes likely to be spread among Rivers, McLemore and Jeff Green.
“It’s our intention to win any way, and then we’ll say, “We handled it,’ ” D’Antoni said. “Then, it falls on other people, a little more of a burden on certain guys. And I think we’ll respond and we have to respond.
“A little like the year Luc ( Mbah a Moute) goes down with the shoulder (injury), but we still had enough to hold forth. We have enough this year. We want Eric back. A s soon as he’s back, we’ll be whole. In the meantime, we do have enough to get it done.”
If nothing else, the Rockets have become accustomed to playing with high-scoring guards, especially this season when Gordon had often been out.
“We’ve dealt with injuries and things that happened during the course of the year,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “I’ve dealt with it the last few years. Once again, it’s another opportunity. Our supporting cast is going to have to be huge. Guys like Danuel House and Ben, Austin and Jeff G reen, those guys are going to have to come in and play big minutes and produce. We’re going to need that.”