In early January, as the Houston Rockets looked to snap what would become a 13-game losing streak, a sleepy morning shootaround saw a jolt in intensity as assistant coach John Lucas barked out orders during a 3-on-3 drill.
Lucas implored Houston's backup bigs to bring more energy as screeners, though largely, his ire was directed at young guards Josh Christopher and TyTy Washington. Lazy entry passes drew Lucas' patented hoarse yell, and breaks between possessions were few and far between. For a pair of players often absent from the Rockets' in-game rotation, these practice reps take on increased importance.