I agree with this. I think a part of it is the schedule catching up to us a bit, but we are just not approaching games defensively the same way. If the defense doesn't improve we will drop in the standings. Hopefully we can get back to where we were at by playoff time.
In addition to the tough schedule, we've got Anderson, Capela, and to a lesser extent Gordon still getting back into game form after recovering from recent injuries/illnesses. Not too worried yet.
Rather trade him but agreed, he has no reason being on the Rockets. If anything, he's better suited to a half court offense with a traditional shooting guard.
Yes, but they can get back to there, most of this is mental lapses..... 3-5 in the last 8 games.... The dog days of the season - they are playing soft and hoping to turn it on. DD
If we're ralking about energy level. It sure seems like it. That is what happens when humans are treated like show horses and worked to death. The schedule is insane. At this rate injuries wouldn't and shouldn't surprise any of us. James harden does need a little more help in the front court. Capella doesn't seem the same at all since the injury. We need some size in there.
Not even GSW and Cavs can win every time, we are a tier below, on paper not even close, we overperformed but we had to if we wanted a shot at WCF.
No, the Rockets have not peaked. They've had to deal with injuries, illness, and a brutal schedule. Have they lost some games they could've won? Sure. But they're clearly gassed and I said weeks ago that this was gonna be the toughest stretch of the season. It's only natural they drop some games. The key is to try to salvage this road trip by winning 2 of the remaining 3. I'd be fine with a 3-2 trip given the competition(even Philly is no gimme). After that, the schedule is a joke between now and the end of February. They have one B2B in that stretch and both games will be at home. Now if they drop some easy ones in February(especially at home), THEN there's some cause for concern. But right now, they're just struggling through a grind like I thought they would.
No peak, teams have learned how to attack the Rockets by going into the paint and we are giving up easy buckets. Shooting by Gordon and Andersen has dropped off. IMO, Andersen isn't effective and has become easy to guard on the perimeter. I think the shooting comes back after the all star break. GSW lost to Miami last night!
I agree, our defense of the paint has been poor and teams are shooting high percentages against us. Our offense comes and goes but our defense this month with the exception of a few games has not been good.
Capela is coming back from a broken bone. Eric Gordon probably isnt used to playing this many games. Ryan Anderson has the bubblies. We will be fine. We have given ourselves a little wiggle room in the 3rd slot, and I think we'll stay put or even move up to 2 with the Pau injury (because I cant help but hope David Lee alone loses them a few games).
I think there's better scouting of our system. Offense still very good, but teams are doing better of closing out on our 3 point attempts.
As good as the Rockets have been this year, the Clippers are only two games back. With all of their injuries. I'm concerned.
Every team, in the history of any sport ever, has gone through stretches where they play better as well as stretches where they don't. It is one of the unfortunate realities of sports. Even Golden State last season lost games against teams like Minnesota, Denver and LA Lakers. In order for any team to win a championship they need to put themselves in place to be one of the best teams in the league, then hope that they are healthy and playing their best basketball during their playoff run. There are always a lot of if's that end up going right for the team that wins. Like has been said so many times this season, we are probably a step behind Golden State and Cleveland and maybe a half step behind San Antonio. Who knows what will happen at the trade deadline. But if we are playing like we were in December in June, and if we are healthy and rested then, and maybe even if one or two of those other teams are going through an injury or a valley in their playing at the time, then we have proven that we have the capability to be one of the best teams in the league.
