Marcus Smart wasted no time making a statement in his first preseason run with the Rockets.
On Sunday in Macao, Houston closed out its two-game set against the Dallas Mavericks, and Smart looked comfortable from the jump in his exhibition debut for his new team. He led all scorers with 20 points, added five rebounds and four assists, and finished 53.8% from the field and 44.4% from beyond the arc. Kyrie Irving also returned to action, but Smart’s outing stood out.
After the game, Rockets coach Ime Udoka didn’t hide his appreciation for what Smart brings. As NBA TV captured, Udoka said:
“He’s really cerebral on both sides of the ball and has played in big games. His experience, and the edge and toughness that he brings every night, is going to be invaluable for us. Nights where maybe Fred (VanVleet) can’t play back-to-back early in the season, it’s great to have another point guard out there that’s gone through the fire.”
NBA TV also shared Udoka’s broader message on Smart’s impact:
"His experience...is going to be invaluable for us." 🏀Rockets head coach Ime Udoka complimented Marcus Smart for his leadership and how he has an impact on both sides of the ball. pic.twitter.com/wpn4iS4Rib
Smart joined Houston on a two-year, $13 million deal over the summer, and the connection with Udoka goes back to their time with the Boston Celtics. That familiarity matters, especially for a veteran whose game is built on organization, physicality, and doing a little bit of everything.
Last season, Smart averaged 9.3 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals across 62 games. The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is expected to fit neatly into Udoka’s defense-first approach and give Houston another steady option in the backcourt.
The Rockets’ guard group is crowded enough already, with Fred VanVleet, Reed Sheppard, Amen Thompson and Bruce Thornton all in the mix. Smart’s presence gives Houston a proven hand who can come off the bench or step in when VanVleet needs a breather, and that versatility could matter early.
That depth is part of the bigger picture in Houston, which is coming off a 52-30 season and enters the new year with real expectations in the Western Conference. With more bodies and more options, the Rockets are being talked about as a team that could push into true contender territory.
There is also a real lineup puzzle for Udoka to sort out, especially when it comes to Sheppard. The 22-year-old may see his minutes squeezed once VanVleet settles back into the starting role, and Smart’s strong showing only intensifies that competition.
Over 82 games, roles can shift quickly. Right now, though, Udoka’s words suggest Smart’s proven production may carry more weight than Sheppard’s upside once the season begins.
Houston’s next preseason game is Thursday, October 15, against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and it will give the Rockets’ backcourt another chance to make its case.
In Other News...
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Cooper Flagg keeps drawing attention before his first full NBA season even gets rolling, and the latest buzz came after a preseason game in which the Dallas forward posted 14 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Coming off a Rookie of the Year campaign in which he averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists, Flagg already has the league talking about how quickly his game and presence are translating at this level.
Kyrie Irving added to the noise by drawing a familiar comparison, one that tends to land differently depending on the audience. For Rockets fans, any mention of Kevin Durant still hits close to home, especially with Durant now in Houston after another All-NBA Second Team season. The comparison says plenty about where Flaggs reputation is headed, and it also helps explain why his every preseason flash is getting treated like more than just an early October highlight. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Face An Early Point Guard Question They Can't Ignore
Fred VanVleet is on the road back to regular-season action after the ACL injury that ended his season, and the Rockets are already mapping out how they want the point guard spot to look once he is available again. Houston head coach Ime Udoka has made it clear VanVleet is expected to return to his starting role, which gives the Rockets a familiar late-game organizer and steady hand as they try to build on last seasons momentum.
The wrinkle is the start of next season, when VanVleet could miss some early games and leave Houston sorting through its options without much margin for error. Amen Thompson, Marcus Smart and Reed Sheppard all loom as possible answers in the meantime, and the choice matters because the Rockets need someone who can keep the offense organized while the rotation settles in around VanVleets comeback. [Read more 🡒]
Rockets Young Core Made This Loss More Interesting Than It Looks
The Rockets second preseason game in China came with a very different look, and the final score reflected it. Houston fell 132-115 to the Mavericks, but the bigger takeaway for the Rockets was less about the result and more about the chance to keep evaluating pieces while key veterans sat out.
Marcus Smart led Houston with 20 points, and Reed Sheppard added 17, though the rookie also had five turnovers in the kind of game that can sharpen the edges of a young roster. With the team set to return home for its next preseason matchup against the Thunder, the Rockets will have a better sense soon of how much of that energy translates when the lineup gets closer to full strength. [Read more 🡒]