Ty Lawson (Photo : Photo: NBA)
"I thought Steph was just chillin' on defense - and then going crazy on offense,"
That statement isn't a scouting report on Steph Curry by an elite NBA coach.
"He looked like he was just putting shots up and not working so much on the defensive end,"
It's neither an observation by a 12th-man rotation player from the bench, nor a claim by a basketball-savvy hooligan at a bar.
Those words came out from the mouth of newly acquired Houston Rockets point guard, Ty Lawson.
He confidently told Yahoo! Sports how Golden State Warriors' Steph Curry coasted on defense en route to winning the 2014-15 NBA MVP and the Larry O'Brien trophy last June.
This talk was during the time when a disgruntled Ty Lawson was still a member of the Denver Nuggets and was asking James Harden to get him traded to Houston.
Wearing his new Rockets practice shirt during the start of training camp, Lawson continues to back up his thoughts regarding Curry.
"I'm not saying, 'Oh, I'm going to stop Steph,' but just make him work harder at the other end. I saw that in the Cavs series, too."
When it comes to sheer confidence and talent, Ty Lawson is amongst the top of the class. He's strong for his position, has excellent court vision, and more importantly a nose for the ball on defense.
Lawson gives Houston another offensive option in the backcourt other than James Harden, and additional teeth to grind the opposing team's offense with Patrick Beverley.
However, for Ty Lawson to fulfill his promise and potential, he has to be counted upon by his new team.
It's no secret that Lawson went through a difficult ordeal the past couple of years. More than the trade request and coaching changes, he was arrested twice for DUI and had a 30-day mandatory stay at a California rehabilitation facility.
"It was eye-opening to me," said the 18th overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. "I didn't think alcoholism got that bad. But it does."
He continued: "There were people who were pushed into [the rehab facility] by family, and then me, who was court ordered. Just to see that it can get that bad, that you can die. You may not see that as a person until you're already there."
One of the important things about recovery is acceptance, and Lawson seems to be on the right track.
"I still honestly don't think I would've had to go in there if it wasn't court ordered," he shared. "I just made two dumb mistakes. But I did take things from the [rehabilitation facility]."
For the Houston Rockets to get over the hump of losing time and again in the playoffs, they have to put some of the unwanted weight off the shoulders of James Harden and into Lawson's.
Ty Lawson has been through a lot. He can and will tough it out.
The knowledge and confidence that he can overcome whatever challenges he faces - whether it be guarding Steph Curry or recovering from alcoholism - brings a different swagger to the team. And ultimately, adds fuel to Rockets' quest to the title.
