Casspi quickly settles into new role with Rockets

Omri Casspi’s pre-season form with the Houston Rockets has been so encouraging that he is being mentioned as a possible starter at the NBA franchise.

By ALLON SINAI
Omri Casspi Houston Rockets 370 (photo credit: REUTERS)
Omri Casspi Houston Rockets 370
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Omri Casspi’s pre-season form with the Houston Rockets has been so encouraging that he is being mentioned as a possible starter at the NBA franchise.
The 25-year-old Israeli, who joined the Rockets as a free agent in the summer following two frustrating seasons with the Cleveland Cavaliers, surprisingly started at power forward in Houston’s 108-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
He finished with six points, six rebounds and five assists, hitting just 2-of-10 field goals.
However, even with the relatively disappointing outing, he is still averaging 14.0 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 61.1 percent from the field in four preseason games.
Casspi seems likely to come off the bench during most of the upcoming season, but he is still delighted with his expected role in Houston.
“This team with its style of play really fits my game,” Casspi told the team’s website.
“I wanted to play for coach Kevin McHale and as soon as Dwight Howard signed here it was a no brainer for me.”
Casspi, who will face countryman Gal Mekel and the Dallas Mavericks in Houston’s next preseason game on Monday, has no qualms about playing the power forward position.
“I love it. I enjoy every second of it,” he said. “It really gets me into the flow of things. I get the ball a lot more so I can do a lot more things and kind of facilitate some of our offense.”
McHale hailed Casspi’s play so far.
“He’s been playing great,” he said. “He’s been rebounding the ball so well. He’s hustling all the time. There’s nothing not to like about what he’s done so far, that’s for sure.”