The Houston Rockets fired their head coach Kevin McHale after getting off to a 4-7 start to the season and things have not gotten better under interim head coach J.P. Bickerstaff. The Rockets have lost two of their first three games under Bickerstaff and he is trying to figure out the best way to get the team to play better. One thing he has done is insert Jason Terry into the starting lineup over Ty Lawson at the point guard spot and it seems as though it will stay that way for the rest of the season, according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN.
The Rockets made it to the Western Conference Finals last season and felt that they were maybe one piece away from taking that next step so they traded for Lawson. Lawson has not played well at all so far this season and he himself has said he is shocked at what he is seeing on film so Bickerstaff decided to move him to the bench.
Lawson and James Harden have not been a good fit together because they both like to play with the ball in their hands so by moving Lawson to the bench it will allow him to run the show for the second unit. Terry has taken Lawson's spot in the starting lineup and Bickerstaff likes the way that has gone.
"We like the leadership that 'Jet' brings with that first group, then we'll bring those other guys in off the bench," said Bickerstaff.
The other option Bickerstaff would have had at point guard is Patrick Beverley but he is currently out with an ankle injury and likely to come off the bench upon his return as well. Terry was the team's starting point guard during their playoff run last season and although he hasn't played very well so far this season he is a leader, like Bickerstaff said, and he doesn't need the ball in his hands which allows Harden to thrive. Terry also hasn't shot it well to start this season but he has been a good long range shooter his entire career and that helps space the floor for both Harden and Dwight Howard.
Bickerstaff seems pretty dead set on keeping Terry as the starter for the rest of the season despite the fact that Lawson is the big money guy and the better player. Lawson isn't a great fit with Harden so he will have to get back on track while coming off the bench and running the second unit.
