Ryan Anderson opens up about his struggles with Rockets

OPINION: Rockets fans’ current feelings about James Harden? It’s complicated.

Anderson, who says he had an excellent larger free agent provide on the desk from his hometown Sacramento Kings, signed a four-year $80 million contract with the Rockets earlier than the 2016-17 season. The 6-foot-9 shooter performed effectively within the first season of that contract, beginning 72 video games for the Rockets, who have been ousted within the second spherical of the playoffs by the San Antonio Spurs, averaging 13.6 factors per recreation and taking pictures 40.3 p.c from the 3-point line. Nonetheless, there was a startling discrepancy between his efficiency at dwelling and on the highway, taking pictures 46.5 p.c from 3 on the highway that season and simply 33.2 p.c at dwelling.

“It was exhausting for me to be the man that was like, ‘It’s essential do extra and we’re paying you numerous for this,’ quite than earlier than it was like, ‘Wow, we obtained a steal for this man,’” Anderson stated. “It actually affected me at dwelling. I felt like each time I used to be in Houston, I used to be letting down the followers or one thing like that.”

Anderson spent greater than 70 minutes having a candid dialog with Robinson, who is an effective good friend of his from their quick time as teammates in Miami in 2019. Anderson did not sound bitter about his time in Houston in any respect, saying a number of occasions that he was “blessed” to have the profession he had, however he was sincere about his time with the Rockets.

“Houston’s a type of sports activities cities the place simply the strain is all the time on you and that’s all individuals wish to discuss with you,” Anderson stated.

Anderson’s profession had taken off proper earlier than signing with Houston when he averaged 16.1 factors per recreation in 4 seasons with New Orleans. When he signed with Houston, Anderson was requested to primarily function a floor-spacer – bringing defenders out to protect him behind the 3-point line and opening up extra room for James Harden to function.

“It was a problem for me, particularly not being put ready to thrive,” Anderson stated. “In New Orleans … I used to be put ready to thrive. I used to be not put ready to point out each potential I may in Houston.”

After that first season in Houston, Anderson began in 50 of the staff’s first 51 video games, however then was changed within the beginning lineup by P.J. Tucker and, by the tip of a season during which the Rockets had one of the best file within the NBA, was nearly fully phased out of the rotation.

Anderson stated it was a troublesome scenario for position gamers in Houston as a result of Harden obtained a lot of the credit score – and the blame – whereas others silently performed their roles to create the house Harden wanted to succeed.

“It’s a powerful factor if you’re getting zero credit score, particularly if you’re making some huge cash and also you’re getting two photographs with like two seconds left on the shot clock and also you miss them and also you’re 0-for-2 from 3 and everybody says that I suck,” Anderson admitted. “… That is the best half about not being within the NBA proper now as a result of I can simply unload on how a lot that pisses me off. Folks don’t wish to hear it. I made some huge cash, I’ve lived a fantastic life. I’m so blessed, I like it, however the recreation’s not enjoyable when it’s a must to simply stand there and also you’re not concerned in any respect. You wish to be concerned, you wish to be part of the offense.”

Anderson performed sparingly in that postseason, seeing simply 28 minutes of motion within the seven-game sequence the Rockets misplaced to the Warriors within the Western Convention finals. His enjoying time was lower drastically, a minimum of partially because of the Rockets’ switching model that uncovered him defensively, which Anderson made a joke about at his personal expense.

“And, I’m not an excellent defender both, so I’d all the time have to change on Steph Curry, and he’d make buckets on me after which I’m the fool,” Anderson stated.

Anderson, who performed 12 seasons within the league, was traded to the Suns that offseason and ended up enjoying elements of two extra seasons within the league, together with 10 video games with Robinson in Miami in 2019 and two video games with the Rockets within the 2019-20 season.

Anderson averaged 12.3 factors and shot 38 p.c from the 3-point line in his profession.