For the first time in a long time, the Houston Rockets have a pair of difference-makers on the bench.
Not since the days of Kevin Willis and Eddie Johnson have the Rockets had as potent a pair as rookie wing Chase Budinger and point guard Kyle Lowry.
That case especially bodes true in the case of Lowry, who was acquired last season in the three-team trade for Rafer Alston, as the Rockets have not had a quality backup point guard since the days of Sam Cassell.
“I think it all starts with Kyle,” Budinger told Rockets.com following Saturday’s 105-94 in over Oklahoma City. “When Kyle comes in, he wants to get up and down and get in transition and so do I.
“Whenever we get defensive rebounds, we try to take off and get easy layups and dunks and wide-open 3s, and that’s what our second unit brings.”
But what Budinger (10.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 52% shooting, 42% 3-point shooting) and Lowry (7.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.8 rpg) have done is provide energy and spark for a team that depends heavily upon, well, energy and spark.
The 6-foot-8 Budinger is a throwback player with more than enough athleticism and ability to stand out spectacularly in today’s game, even as a second-round draft pick out of Arizona.
It’s not his scoring or shooting that has impressed. It’s his willingness to move without the ball and work efficiently.
“I have a great opportunity here with the Rockets and I am making the most of it,” he said. “I am working hard every day and I’m being confident in myself as a player. I am getting that chance on the court and I am doing well.”
Said Lowry, “He’s a great addition. He’s hitting 3s, he’s getting dunks, he’s getting fast breaks. He’s definitely a huge part of our bench.”
As for Lowry, he’s a bulldog of a guard that relishes the physical aspect of the game.
It’s that part of his skillset that has enabled the Rockets to add toughness to their identity; a trait that was said to have been left for dead once Yao Ming was declared out for the season and Ron Artest left for the Lakers.
It’s his passing, however, that has enamored the Rockets.
Thought more of as a defender and penetrator coming into this season, Lowry is averaging a career-high in assists per game after averaging no more than 3.6 earlier in his career.
“When Kyle has the ball, I’m running, I’m cutting and I’m keeping my eyes on him the whole time because you never know,” Budinger said. “He’ll throw a pass to the side of your defender’s ear and right in your hands.”
The 4-2 Rockets’ 1-2 bench dynamo has flourished this season, needless to say.
Eventually, as is the case during the grinding NBA season, they will hit somewhat of a wall, especially for the rookie Budinger.
Budinger, it can be assumed, never expected to be such an integral part of a team so soon, and Lowry is finally in a comfortable situation where he’s seeing the second-most minutes-per-game of his career and is asked to direct and manage a second team almost by his lonesome.
But if they don’t hit a wall, don’t be surprised.
The duo has become accustomed to going above and beyond.
- Dennis Silva II/The Katy Capsule
