Okay... "Houston Is A Problem"
The Rockets Have Won Six Straight Games And Future Is Even Brighter In Space City Because The Attention To Detail On Defense
(Thanks- Houston Rockets)
The Houston Rockets have had a rough time on the basketball court over the past three seasons, winning only 59 out of 236 games. The team has undergone significant changes since the days of James Harden leading them to the playoffs for eight consecutive years. Currently, only one player is remaining from the 17-55 Rockets team that played in the 2020-2021 season, and that player is Jae’Sean Tate.
As the General Manager, Rafael Stone was working hard to turn the fortunes of the franchise around. To build a strong foundation for the team, he focused on acquiring valuable draft picks throughout the next three seasons. Though the team may not have performed exceptionally well on the court during this time, this strategic move was an important step toward improving their overall performance.
2021- Jalen Green and trading for the rights of Alperen Sengun
2022- Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason
2023- Amen Thompson and Cam Whitmore
During those seasons, the rookies were given ample opportunities to play and improve their skills, even if it meant making mistakes along the way. As they gradually developed, their potential to contribute to a high-performing team became more apparent. With the experience gained by the 2021-2022 picks, it was time to take them to the next level. The Rockets made a coaching change during the offseason, replacing Stephen Silas with Ime Udoka, to bring in a strong, championship-level voice to the locker room.
Udoka's top priority is to improve the defensive skills of the Young Rockets team. For the past three seasons, the team has ranked 27th or worse in terms of points allowed, indicating the need for a significant change in their defensive strategy. To address this issue, the Rockets have shifted their focus toward improving their defense, especially their ability to guard against three-point shots.
Stone was aware that getting the current players to accept the changes would not be sufficient. It was necessary to obtain players who would prioritize defense. Therefore, the Rockets signed Fred VanVleet, a former All-Star point guard from the Toronto Raptors, Dillion Brooks, a former All-Defensive team member, Jock Landale, a center, and Jeff Green, a seasoned swingman.
How has it changed?
Last season, the Rockets struggled with three-pointers that were not taken from the corners. Teams had a great time shooting "Above The Corner" 3's, as well as any other three-point shots. The Rockets allowed a total of 914, which averaged around 11.4 made per game, making them the worst in the league. No other team allowed more than 10 of those made per game. However, this season, Houston has significantly improved, thanks to the additions of VanVleet, Brooks, and Udoka.
In the above clip, all 5 players on the Rockets team played a part in preventing Austin Reeves from scoring a three-pointer. Pay close attention to Smith Jr. and his forcing of the pass by Hachumura and then the closeout on Reeves. The team's attention to detail and effort have made Houston the third-best team in defending the three-point shot in the league currently.
Adding players like Brooks to the team can have a significant impact on the game, as we saw in this particular instance. During the play, Jalen Green noticed that Jonas Valančiūnas was trying to set a screen for Jordan Hawkins, and he quickly reacted by forcing him into Sengun. Sengun, knowing that Brooks was on his left, moved back to cover Valančiūnas which allowed Hawkins to run to Brooks and steal the ball easily. As a result, the Rockets were able to make a fast break and scoring opportunity.
For more on the Rockets and their resurgence in the early part of the season, check out Jacob Sutton’s article on his substack (Subscribe by the way).
What do you think about the Houston Rockets’ start to the season? Do you think that they can keep this up throughout the season? Leave a comment below, like, and share with your friends. Also, follow me on X (Twitter) at @danny3thompson.