There is definitely a commitment to defense that you can see while watching the game and see in the results. That makes them feel like a very different team from last season, despite having most of the core back.
This is a different team for a number of reasons. Here are some, and several of the reasons were brought up by different people. The Lilliard shot to end the Rockets playoffs last season was a wake up call for all of the players. Harden's experience with Team USA refocused him on defense. Losing Lin and Parsons in the off season was addition by subtraction. The simple reason the Rockets last season were below NBA average in defensive rebounding % was that Parsons was continually leaking out for the break before the rebound was secured. Last season Lin pounded the ball. Parsons pounded the ball. This season only Harden pounds the ball, and when he does there is excitement in the air, waiting to see what great drive to score or dish is coming up soon. There are four spot up shooters and Harden on the floor. I believe that was what was intended last season, but Lin and Parsons just would not sign on. Finely, the team is committed to McHale's and Morey's basketball philosophy. It is beautiful basketball.
I and others said over the off season said the biggest improvement that could come would be from an improved and focused Harden. And so far, it's happened and it's fun to watch. If we're able to make a trade that improves our depth this season, watch out. The Rockets would be serious contenders that the media could no longer ignore.
Exactly. This ship is now Harden's. As well it should be. Great tactical basketball breeds more great tactical basketball. Young players, on their way to becoming important rotation players, learn to play strategically correct basketball. The system self perpetuates, much like JVG's defensive philosophies carried over for a while after he left, despite Adelman's offensive focus. Pop.
Defense, defense, defense. The Rockets rattled the Spurs last night. Remember, two of our starters were out too.
I'm sure we have a large enough sample of games where we can compile an 11 minute video of Harden playing amazing defense. Lets get that going viral!
A) I've easily noticed Harden and Howard working much better with each other this season as compared to last season. They're running pick n rolls together now unlike last year. I think they've finally figured it out. B) This team is quite a bit different from last year for 2 real reasons. Though we shot a ton of 3's last year, our efficiency in making them was at best, average. This year, we're shooting a ton of 3's, but we're second best at making them. We clearly cannot keep up the same efficiency, but we have players that are much more capable of making those shots this year than we had last year. That's a huge difference. Secondly, we were 4th in defensive efficiency prior to the SA game, which heavily contrasts with our defensive efficiency last year. There are two ways of looking at the team this year. Is our 6-0 record because of this being a different team? Or does the team look different because we've started with a 6-0 record? We have no control over who we play early in the season. We do, however, have control over how we're winning. If you look at how we're winning games against these teams, you'll very quickly see that we have a 6-0 record BECAUSE we're a different team now.
Didn't see this posted, but thought it was a good read on the positive changes the Rockets are showing since last season: <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>More focused, driven (mature?) approach, driving Rockets fast start, hopes for long haul <a href="http://t.co/k1QtjxF7rn">http://t.co/k1QtjxF7rn</a></p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/531822828530577408">November 10, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
If the Rockets keep playing like this, frequent passing, working the ball inside to Howard, shooting at an above average clip from downtown, playing significant defense, feeding off of Harden penetrations, this team is missing nothing whatsoever. The only reasonable upgrade would be another serviceable big behind Howard, Jones and D-Mo.
I said that very same thing in a thread here after the Portland series loss. They needed to learn(sooner rather than later while Dwight can still be elite) that you can't goof your way to a title because your good - you have to be good AND have discipline on all sides of the ball. Had a few of those difficult Portland shots not went in, Houston probably goes home last season feeling good about losing to the eventual World Champion Spurs(it was their year - no way we would have beat them no matter how many regular season games we have on them).
You forgot two - we have more veteran leaders on this team than we did last year. Ariza & Jet give us two guys who have played in the Finals and know what it's like to be key pieces on an NBA Finals team. - Dwight's continued maturity. He's not a great offensive player necessarily, but the criticism that Dwight has no moves is something he has FINALLY erased and that's something he only gained through hard work and focus.
