Sign Up
for the

Houston Rockets Shouldn’t Expect Much From Omri Casspi This Season


Omri Casspi Rockets

David Richard – USA Today Sports Images

After his rookie season in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings in 2009-2010, Omri Casspi had people raving about his potential in the league. In 77 games as a rookie he averaged 10.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 0.7 steals in 25.1 minutes per game while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 36.9 percent from three. He looked like he had all of the makings of a quality role player.

Fast forward to this summer as he signed with the Houston Rockets and his prospects are much less inspiring and much more limited. Casspi played limited time for the Cleveland Cavaliers this past year, despite having the opportunity to break into their shallow small forward rotation. He played only 43 games and averaged just four points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 11.7 minutes per game while shooting only 39.4 percent from the field and 32.9 percent from three.

As the past three seasons have progressed, it’s become clear that Casspi isn’t the player that everyone thought he was after his rookie year. He’s not a great shooter, not a great ball-handler, is a sub-par defender, and isn’t a great rebounder. That makes his potential, even at 25 years old, very limited.

As he suits up for the Rockets this season, it would be extremely surprising to see Casspi on the floor all that often. Houston only has two small forwards on their bench playing behind Chandler Parsons as of right now and the one who isn’t Casspi is rookie Robert Covington. However, they would be better off running out Francisco Garcia or Reggie Williams at the three than Casspi. Ultimately it seems like Casspi’s role will be similar to what it was in Cleveland last season, which doesn’t say much for him at all.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.


Around the Web

ZergNet
Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties