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Rafael Stone Praises Jeff Green, Aaron Holiday: 'We Were Lucky!'

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Rockets
By Jeremy Brener | Last updated 12/24/23

The Houston Rockets have had several players step up to the plate so far this season.

The Rockets currently sit at 15-12 going into Christmas thanks to a full team effort, but two players who don't always receive the praise they deserve are Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green.

However, Rafael Stone, the man responsible for signing them in free agency this offseason, continues to sing their praises.

"Both of those guys are guys that we’ve liked for a long time," Stone said via Kelly Iko of The Athletic. "We were lucky that they were free agents at a time when we could play in free agency. And so yeah, they’ve done well and I’m happy for that. Jeff’s a super veteran player, but Aaron’s been around for a while, too. So they both have come in and done exactly what we thought they would do. And we thought that with our current mix, they fit well. And it’s been nice that through a quarter season that’s been the way it’s played out."

Green and Holiday are veteran leaders in a bench unit that ranks 25th in scoring, but has been crucial on the defensive end. While the numbers don't pop off the page, their veteran presence helps the Rockets get organized in the second unit to commit fewer turnovers. The Rockets commit the fifth-fewest turnovers in the NBA, with just 13.1. Only the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers commit fewer turnovers than that of the Rockets.

Green, Holiday and the Rockets are back in action on Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT inside Toyota Center.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Rockets and was syndicated with permission.

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