Rockets rookie TyTy Washington is at the point where he is getting comfortable in NBA role
Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographerEven after his NBA debut on Nov. 14 against the Clippers, even after he scored his first NBA field goal in his next game Dec. 8 against the Spurs, the Rockets’ rookie guard and first-round pick still found himself doing something he had never done before.
He feels the pressure lifting, gradually. A larger role has afforded him the ability to relax some. Washington recently usurped second-year guard Daishen Nix as the Rockets’ backup point guard, and is typically the first guard off the bench to replace starter Kevin Porter Jr. “Of course, with a role, he's finding a little bit more comfort,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas said. “Before he was kind of trying to find his role and trying to find where he fit, and now he has the backup point guard role and he's doing a good job with it.”
Although not a high-volume scorer at the NBA level, the Rockets don’t need him to be one. Washington is developing chemistry with both the first and second units, often playing alongside guard Jalen Green, the team’s top shot-taker, as well as forwards K.J. Martin and Tari Eason, who are both adept at cutting to the rim.