Together, Curry and KD won two NBA titles and three Western Conference championships. One very notable NBA name that holds the latter opinion is Durant’s former co-star with the Golden State Warriors, Steph Curry. Many feel the Boston Celtics were better off sticking with their current core and not compromising it to acquire Kevin Durant in a trade, but there are also some who feel KD is better off sticking with the Nets than he would have been had the Cs budged on Brooklyn’s trade demands. It will be Ariza’s ability to complement Harden and take up that defensive slack, that will be the key.By Andrew Hughes 2 weeks ago Follow Tweet His offense was improving, but it was defense that cost the Rockets more than anything this past season. Parsons went backwards on the defensive end this past year. I fully expect the Rockets to not miss a beat with Ariza at small forward and the end result may even be a starting five that as a group is better than it was with Chandler Parsons. What the Rockets need Ariza to do, is exactly what he does best and that is play great defense on the opposing team’s best wing player, run the floor and in the half court on offense, hang out on the perimeter for open looks from Harden penetrations and kick out or the inside outside game with Howard. Harden is the offensive leader and Howard is clearly the next option in the post. This Rockets roster is tailor-made for Ariza. In fact, he lit the Rockets up with 10 three-pointers in a game last February. His three-point shooting numbers have been climbing the past few years, a skill that is often one that improves as a player matures, finds his role and knows when and where to take the three-point shots to have the most success. But the big jump for Ariza was his 40.7 percent from three-point range which was a career high. Last year Ariza averaged 14.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals per game in 35.4 minutes per game. He had his best year as a pro this past season and has commented on how much of a better fit it was for him on the Wizards, given the development of John Wall and Bradley Beal. Ariza has also matured since his time with the Rockets four years ago. What Trevor Ariza is, is a very good complimentary player who is an above-average defender that can defend shooting guards and small forwards and knock down three-pointers. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports Toronto, ON, Canada Washington Wizards forward Trevor Ariza (1) shoots against the Toronto Raptors at the Air Canada Centre. Then again that’s not Chandler Parsons game either. As a result, at times Ariza was asked to create his own shot, which is not his game. Aaron Brooks and Luis Scola were the leading scorers on that team. When Ariza was with the Rockets in 2009-10, the roster was very short on talent. This time around should be a much better experience for both he and the Rockets. Gone is Chandler Parsons, sorry ladies… but Trevor Ariza is back for his 2nd stint with the Rockets. Trevor Ariza– 6’8”, 220 pounds, 29-years-old In this segment, we’ll take a look at the small forwards - or 3’s - where the Rockets have had a nearly complete turnover from last year. This is Part Three of a Five-Part series on the Rockets roster heading into training camp.
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