Dave Hardisty

We saw what he did in October and November.

Like, that is the ticket.

The Rockets definitely, over these final two months, they have to dial down the usage for their stars.

So how can they still win at a high level by doing that?

It's guys like Tari Eason and Josh Okogie being available, certainly defending, but also shooting at a high level.

That's the secret sauce.

And I think we're starting to see, you know, this stretch going into the All-Star break, it's tough all around the NBA.

It's really coming off the NBA Cup.

The schedule is...

you know, really spaced out in December because of the Cup.

And then you've got about six, seven weeks between, you know, or about the 20th of December coming off the Cup all the way to the All-Star break, which is around the 10th or so of February, in which there's a ton of games in a tight window.

And so these teams around the league that have to lean on their veterans, their stars, the way the Rockets have,

it's going to get ragged the next week to 10 days.

So I think the Rockets definitely in the short term, but I would say just the overall last two months of this season, the more you can get out of your role players and knock on wood, it starts with Tari staying on the floor, the better off they're going to be because the Rockets do need to dial down the minutes and the usage for those starts.

Especially because I think you're wanting to transition to Reed Shepard.

Yes.

Yes.

I think one of the issues for Reed in the very short term, defensively, Reed and Shingun is a struggle.

There are some mouth shots where it works out, but I think especially these days when Shingun is a little bit limited by the ankle, whatever you want to ascribe it to, those two together, especially in high-leverage spots...

It's rough.