Rockets’ Lewis Lloyd Keeps Getting Better

It’s early in the fourth quarter and the Houston Rockets are clinging to a two-point lead against Moses Malone and the hot Philadelphia 76ers in their recent meeting Jan. 4 in the Houston Summit.

The Rockets take off on an 18-9 spurt in four minutes to open an 11-point cushion that secures yet another homecourt victory.

The rally was not sparked by 1983 first-round draft picks Ralph Sampson or Rodney McCray, nor by veteran point guard John Lucas.

Instead, it was Lewis Lloyd, the Rockets’ versatile guard, who is a fast-emerging NBA star by virtue of his offensive and defensive consistency.

“He just keeps getting better game after game,” says Lucas of his teammate. “He’s nowhere near reaching his peak. I mean it. I’ve never seen anyone as tough as Lewis one on one in the open court expect maybe (Philadelphia’s) Dr. J (Julius Erving). He’s one of the finest I’ve ever played with in the backcourt, including (Chicago’s) George Gervin.”

Lloyd has surpassed last year’s NBA All-Star MVP Sampson to become the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 19.5 points a game. He trails only Akeem Olajuwon, who is hitting 23.9 a game.

Lloyd also is among the league’s top free throw percentage shooters, having hit 100 of 115 for 87%.

From the field, Lloyd is hitting 55%, three points better than his career mark and his offensive consistency is documented by the fact he has scored in double figures in every game this season, helping the Rockets into first place in the NBA’s Midwest Division.

“He can run it by you or shoot it over you, and he is a great guard who has teammates who recognize you have to give him the ball,” said Golden State Coach John Bach, who became familiar with Lloyd when the Warriors drafted him in 1981 and watched Lloyd score 19 points on Jan. 7 as the Rockets raised their home record to 18-0 this season.

“He continues his eloquent way of scoring. With this Rockets offense, Lewis adds quality and has become more consistent. At the end of it, he has always been a great passer and has that unique way of getting it through.”

Lloyd, a fifth-year player out of Drake, credits his teammates for his improved offensive play.

“The team has been getting the ball to me,” he said. “This year, we have a more balanced team. We are working together. I’ve played more minutes this year than I have in my whole career.”

But Lloyd adds the key to his success has been “my improved defense.”

“It’s a tough job. I’d have to say that (New Jersey’s) Otis Birdsong, (Cleveland’s) World Free and (Chicago’s) Michael Jordan are the toughest I’ve had to face.”

Lloyd said Coach Bill Fitch has been another factor in his improved play.

“Bill has given me my chance to get my time in,” he said. “I’m going to work for him.”

Rockets General Manager Ray Patterson believes that Fitch has been a positive influence on Lloyd.

“I think it’s a case of his being exposed to Bill Fitch, who is an outstanding coach on fundamentals,” Patterson said. “Fitch has made Lewis aware that he will play more minutes if he plays better defense. Fitch’s style exploits Lewis’s offensive moves. I’ve never known a guy who enjoys playing the game so much.”

Golden State’s Eric Floyd has been impressed with Lloyd’s play this season.

“He just plays well all around,” Floyd said. “He attacks on defense and gets the shot.”