It sounded like lip service for so long. Through training camp, the first month of the regular season and the latest quality stretch of wins, the Rockets praised the shooting touch of seven-footer Isaiah Hartenstein.
Without in-game evidence to support the claim, it seemed like veterans trying to instill confidence in a backup rookie center known entirely for banging beneath the rim.
Hartenstein missed two deep shot attempts, both beyond the arch of the 3-point line, against the Clippers on Oct. 26. Then he got shy. He did not believe in his stroke.
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“Isaiah was actually open for a 3 in Denver, and he didn’t shoot it,” point guard Chris Paul said Friday.
Paul told coaches that the team needed to encourage Hartenstein to let it fly.
“He practices it,” Paul said. “He can really shoot it.”
Then the Rockets surged to a 20-point lead against the Warriors on Thursday night. They put the defending champions on their heels and sent them scrambling in the fourth quarter.
Paul, who led the blowout stretch, had lost some steam at that point, given up the ball to Eric Gordon, who spotted Hartenstein waiting and wide open for a corner 3.
Hartenstein sank the shot, detonating the crowd for explosive cheers and forcing the Warriors to take a timeout. The Rockets were all smiles and high-fives when Hartenstein jogged back.
“I hope it did a lot for his confidence because he brings a lot of great energy to our team,” Paul said.