Mike D’Antoni may be reaching deep into his bag of lineup tricks this season.
Speaking with the media Sunday, the Houston Rockets head coach said that he could give veteran swingman Thabo Sefolosha some time at the center spot this season, per Salman Ali of Hoops Habit.
“Why not? I think it’s basketball,” Sefolosha was quoted as saying about the proposition. “I love being on the court. I love playing my minutes in whatever position it is. I’m willing to do the work.
“Playing the five would be a new thing for me,” the 35-year-old went on. “The game is changing. Positions get more and more blurry. I’m just excited about the opportunity.”
Sefolosha, who signed with the Rockets this summer, is just 6-foot-7 and has played almost exclusively at the wing throughout his NBA career. But he is an above-average three-point shooter and plus defender whose presence at the 5 could make a similar impact to that of PJ Tucker, another smaller Rocket who has played situationally at center over the last couple of years.
We know that D’Antoni wants to push the pace on offense, and going super small with defense and shooters all over the floor could be one way to do it.
