The Houston Rockets returned to Toyota Center on Thursday to host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the preseason. The Rockets were coming off a two-game series against the Dallas Mavericks in China, which ended in a split.
The Rockets paraded their starting unit of Fred VanVleet, Amen Thompson, Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., and Alperen Sengun, which many believe will wreak havoc in the Western Conference.
Before the game, Marcus Smart drained a trick shot that may or may not come in handy in the upcoming season.
What play is that called in the Rockets' playbook?
The Rockets beat the Thunder, 116-89. Smart had two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 12 minutes. He missed his three attempts.
Maybe he should have shot one backwards.
Smart is one of Houston's few additions, along with Bogdan Bogdanovic, Oscar Tshiebwe, and Bruce Thornton, as the front office prioritized continuity.
The 32-year-old guard will play a key role off the bench, especially on defense. Smart and Thompson will be quite the duo in disrupting the opposing backcourt.
Smart signed a two-year, $12.4 million contract with the Rockets in free agency, a decision that surprised many since it was expected that he would remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. The one-time Defensive Player of the Year, however, revealed that he felt disrespected by the Lakers for not offering him a good deal.
In Houston, he was reunited with Ime Udoka, his former coach on the Boston Celtics. Smart will be a respected voice in the locker room.