The Houston Rockets are looking to utilize former All-Star center Dwight Howard more in the 2015–16 season, that is why head coach Kevin McHale is looking to monitor the big man's playing minutes.
ESPN reported that during the Rockets media day, McHale said there is still no specific plan about Howard's minutes but they will be monitoring them.
McHale also stated that the strength and conditioning staff will have a vital role since they will be providing the guidelines the team will be using with the 29-year-old center.
Knee injuries plagued Howard last season as he only played in a career-low 41 regular season games.
Despite all his knee issues, Howard still averaged 15.8 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.3 blocks in 29.8 minutes of action per game.
Houston made it to the Western Conference Finals but lost in six games against eventual champions the Golden State Warriors.
"We'd like to make sure he plays more games and like to make sure he's more healthy this year because he's a huge part of what we're doing and he is such a dominant force," McHale said, according to ESPN.
McHale understands that it is a process and they will first speak with Howard and how he feels about the plan.
He added that it will all go down with how the eight-time All-Star's body will respond to back-to-back games, practices, and sessions with the training staff.
In Howard's first year with the Rockets in the 2013–14 season, he played in 71 games averaging 18.3 points, 12.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.8 blocks per outing.
The Rockets are hoping they can reach farther in the 2015–16 season and during the offseason made some key roster moves.
Houston acquired point guard Ty Lawson via trade from the Denver Nuggets and selected Wisconsin star Sam Dekker in the first round of the 2015 draft.
Veteran point guard Jason Terry will also be returning after getting re-signed last August.
