The Houston Rockets came into this game against the Chicago Bulls with a lot of unknowns. They came into the game with no James Harden as the team hopes that he joins them next week. Also, Houston was without PJ Tucker and Christain Wood tonight with minor injuries.  One thing that was well known after this game is that Stephen Silas has a great offensive mind and he will use his team’s strengths to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. The Rockets were limited with their roster tonight in Chicago but made the best of the situation and looked like a team that had played for a year or so already. Silas was able to put on a great coaching display in his first game as the Rockets head coach. Tonight Silas was able to use a lot of pick and pop and was still able to use the same pedigree with the Rockets 3 point shooting. If this Rockets team can stay healthy and with the additions of the players that weren’t there tonight this could be a special year in Houston.

Tonight was the debut in Houston for John Wall and he looked like the John Wall that we last saw in 2018. The quickness was there and the explosiveness was on full display. John Wall was able to go coast to coast multiple times and was able to get his teammates involved. Wall improved his jumper and was able to get his offense going really early in this contest. The Bulls had no answer for John Wall tonight as he was able to blow by anyone that was guarding him in the open space or on a one on one. Wall finished the game with 13 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds in limited minutes tonight. When Wall is playing like this he’s one of the best guards in the NBA and he showed tonight that he still has it as he played in-game action for the first time in years. John Wall is buying into the Silas way and showed that he can run the show at the highest level.

It was a special tonight as John Wall was able to play with his college teammates DeMarcus Cousins. Wall & Cousins look like the chemistry on the court never left as Wall would be able to draw the defenders to the paint as Cousins would knock down multiple 3 pointers. DeMarcus Cousins finished with 14 points and 5 rebounds on the night but looked really good and was able to run the floor with the quickness. It was good to see Boogie out there on the floor as he was able to hit the 3 point shot, defend in the paint, rebound, and even took some charges. The Rockets had the mismatches as the Bulls had no answer for Wall or Cousins tonight at all. If the Rockets can stay healthy this season they can be scary as both Wall & Cousins came into this game/season with a chip on their shoulders. Another bright spot for the Rockets was Eric Gordon who looked like he was still shooting in the bubble as he was on fire all night. Gordon was hitting some deep 3 pointers and he was able to get to the rim when he wanted with ease. Tonight Gordon hit a 3 pointer from 40ft deep and it was a known fact he was ready and looked ready for the regular season. The Rockets put up — 3 pointers on the night and they look to keep the same identity as they did with D’Antoni last season. This was a huge step in the right direction for Stephen Silas and the Houston Rockets as they try to get their whole team together on the young season. Tonight showed that this team has the potential to be special if everyone’s willing to buy-in.

The Chicago Bulls looked really young tonight and this is all new for them with Billy Donovan coming in. Overall the Bulls will need to continue to grow as they have some players that have promise in LaVine, White, and Porter. If the Bulls can defend better on the perimeter and be disciplined in the paint they can make a push for the 8th seed in the East. Coby White & Zach LaVine finished with a combined 27 points and they will be two of the guys that can lead this team all season. The Bulls didn’t have much from the jump on the defensive end especially giving up 24 3 point makes to the Rockets but they will be playing them again next game.