More Consistent Minutes Could Free Up Rockets' Tari Eason

Tari Eason hasn't enjoyed a breakout rookie season just yet, operating in a bench role where minutes are inconsistent and where his place on the team is left mostly to chance.

Eason is an elite athlete with a motor that never stops running. You'd think that would translate immediately to the pro level, but so far that motor has proven to work best when the 21-year-old receives extended minutes.

In 19 games this season, the forward has received between 20 and 29 minutes, averaging out at 23.2 in those games. In those appearances, he's gotten to the line 49 times, and taken 168 shots from the field.

Now, put that in contrast to the 36 games where he's played between 10 and 19 minutes (averaging 17.0 per night) and those numbers change to 39 and 241.

"Yes, Mort. That's how fewer minutes work. Duh!"

Well, not quite. Because we do have a total minutes counter to use as a baseline. In games of 20-29 minutes, Eason has played 441 total. In games of 10-19, he's played 612.

So, adjusting to a per-minute rate here's the breakdown.

20-29 minutes: 0.38 shots and 0.11 free throws per minute.

10-19 minutes: 0.393 shots and 0.06 free throws per minute.

In terms of raw field goals attempted, Eason is consistent in his output, to an extent. But let's revisit the reason for that later.

In terms of generating free throws, he almost doubles his per-minute rate when given an extra run.

There's a greater level of comfort in being able to read the flow of the game when out there for longer, and Eason has been solid at spotting holes in defenses since his days at LSU. When he doesn't watch over his shoulder, and lets himself get carried away by the game, his instincts dial up to 11.

Coming out of LSU, Eason was often described as a bit of a wild child. He'd attack the rim so relentlessly and go after loose balls in such an aggressive manner, most analysts wanted him to relax and find a balance between aggressiveness and thinking out the game.

Unfortunately, in the NBA, he's so far been asked to relax too much. It's only when he receives more minutes he feels enough at ease to flip that switch, where he allows himself to play off energy and instinct. I suspect it's not even a switch at all, but something that just happens when he's run himself warm and feels embedded in the game.

Now, as promised, let's get into the field goals. While his per-minute shot rate is similar whether he plays 17 or 23 minutes per night, as outlined above, context is needed.

For one, when Eason receives extended run, it's usually for a reason. Player injuries, foul trouble, etc.

When that happens, Eason is catapulted into a higher role on the offensive totem pole, and has more freedom in the open floor, allowing him to absorb more shooting possessions, some of which don't register as shot attempts, when he gets fouled.

In limited minutes, Eason is often standing around on the perimeter, taking perimeter shots, or playing almost exclusively opportunistic basketball off cuts. Getting comfortable with the ball in his hands isn't a high priority when he plays stretches for 5-6 minutes, and he has to make do with the option he has.

Eason also tends to rush when everyone is healthy and available around him. He's seemingly aware that shots won't just come to him, so he forces the issue when he gets the ball.

(This isn't limited to low minutes games. With Eason, he almost has to reach a moment where he realizes the flow of the game, and the opportunity in front of him, before he finds the best version of himself.)

Overall, the former LSU product is complicated in how he activates. But the Rockets are only adding to that complication by providing him with inconsistent minutes and putting him in weird lineups.

Eason should be playing the vast majority of his minutes with Alperen Şengün, as the center is one of the finest big man playmakers in the league, and a true passing hub. Instead, only a third of his minutes has been with Şengün, and often it's only sporadic opportunities.

Coincidentally, Şengün and Eason have a +4.6 net rating when playing together. That's by far the best rating Eason has with any player on the roster he's played 100+ minutes with. In fact, only Kenyon Martin Jr represents the other positive rating of +0.7.

This isn't to absolve Eason of responsibility. Every NBA player has to be ready to contribute in limited minutes. That's part of the job, and Eason's need of feeling out the game needs to find a way to be organically accelerated.

However, given that this is his first season, the Rockets could afford him a better chance at finding his rhythm.

Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.

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