Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
On Monday, the Houston Rockets signed veteran free agent center Marcus Camby. A 17-year veteran, Camby will make all the difference for the Rockets in the 2013-14 season as he will provide a valuable bench role.
During the 2013 offseason, the Rockets made one of the biggest splashes in free agency by signing All-Star Dwight Howard. Camby will play behind Howard and last year’s starter Omer Asik.
At 39-years-old, the Rockets didn’t sign Camby to provide major minutes. He will only see limited time behind two of the most promising big men in the league. However, Camby will undoubtedly provide a defensive presence and grab a good number of rebounds whenever he steps on the court for the Rockets.
Howard is notorious for getting injured. Camby, a former Defensive Player of the Year, can put in good minutes if Howard misses games.
Camby will rejoin the Rockets after playing for the New York Knicks in 2012-13. Last year, Camby averaged just 1.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 24 games due to injuries. When he played for the Rockets in 2011-12, he put up 7.1 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 blocks in 19 games.
Drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 1996 draft, Camby has had a long, successful career. The 6-foot-11 monster has career averages of 9.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. He lead the NBA in blocks from 2006-2008 with the Denver Nuggets. He also received All-Defensive First Team honors in the 2007-08 seasons during his tenure with the Nuggets.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey should be commended for this signing. Camby has yet to win a championship, but he has a real chance with the Rockets. This could be his final stand to get a ring.
Jordan Morey is a Denver Nuggets writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
