Rockets Running Full Speed Ahead After Westbrook Addition

Despite three seasons together in Oklahoma City and a friendship spanning two decades, Russell Westbrook and James Harden are distinctly different players. Harden's offensive attack appears almost plodding in spurts, milking the shot clock before unleashing a signature step-back or drive to the tin. Westbrook prefers a speedier route.

The former Oklahoma City star remains a blur in the open court even with 11 years of tread on his tires. The Thunder averaged eight seconds per possession after a turnover last season, the fourth-fastest mark in the league. They averaged just 15.6 seconds per possession after a made shot, the No. 1 mark in the league. Westbrook was the catalyst in OKC's furious pace.

So are the Rockets playing fast enough for Westbrook with one preseason game left before opening night?

"We're getting there," Westbrook said at Houston's open practice on Monday. "I use my pace and my speed to our advantage, just trying to get guys shots and get them to get up the floor as quick as possible.”

this kind of athleticism just isn't fair, man.

westbrook in-and-out going at that speed? sheesh. pic.twitter.com/vMzke02Qcl
— Derek Peterson (@dr_petey) March 8, 2019

Westbrook is far from the only Rocket pushing for a heightened pace in 2019-20. Houston dropped from the 13th-fastest offense in 2017-18 to 26th, largely walking up the floor before Harden engaged in an isolation or pick-and-roll. Expect a pace closer to league average this season.

“I’ve always believed that the point guard sets the tone of the speed of the team. Everybody plays to the point guard’s rhythm of the game," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni said on Monday. "Certain rhythm when Steve Nash was running. Certain rhythm when James Harden is running. Certain rhythm when Chris (Paul) was running. So now we’ve got Russ, and the rest will adapt to what Russ does. And if they want the ball and get involved, they’ll run, His force will ensure that.”

To add to this again, the Rockets had a 115 pace this morning, including a 117.2 pace when Westbrook was on the floor.
— Michael Gallagher (@MikeSGallagher) October 8, 2019

The 2019-20 Rockets should be more suited to Westbrook's run-and-gun approach than his former counterparts in Oklahoma City. Eric Gordon could log hefty minutes alongside Westbrook in the backcourt after making 172 catch-and-shoot threes last season (fourth-most in the NBA). P.J. Tucker drilled 143 catch-and-shoot triples in 2018-19, and Ryan Anderson may prove to be a valuable backup five in units with Westbrook. The 2016-17 MVP should have little trouble finding space to operate, especially in transition.

"You kind of find your open gaps, spacing is huge," Rockets forward Ryan Anderson said. "Coming back here that was the first thing I knew I could bring and we talked about spacing, giving those guys open lanes to drive to the basket, draw fouls and score points."

Westbrook is an elite force in transition, but he is not infallible by any stretch. He tallied 325 turnovers last season, the second-most in the league behind Harden. Westbrook's turnover woes were even more pronounced in transition. The eight-time All-Star turned the ball over on 22.2% of transition opportunities last season according to The Athletic's Alykhan Bijani, dropping Oklahoma City to the league's bottom third in turnovers. Houston's collection of spacers and slashers won't be able to thrive if their opportunities are cut by turnovers.

Harden is still the superior scorer compared to his former MVP challenger, and he'll likely be taxed as a creator on a majority of Houston possessions. Yet Westbrook's speed and ferocity should bring some much-needed balance to the Rockets' attack. Harden and Co. fell short in the 2019 postseason as Houston's offense dragged toward the finish line. Westbrook should liven the Rockets' attack with urging from D'Antoni and the rest of Houston's roster.