The only stat I really care about is defensive efficiency, which we were first coming into tonight. I don't think that'll hold for long as we start playing better teams, but I do think that a top 5 defense is attainable, which is awesome.
Instead of being a tool, lets just enjoy what we have now instead of worrying about something in April
Because your post came off as if you are thinking ahead.... The season is just getting started and The Rockets are adjusting and tweaking their game in order to compete once that time comes. This is The Best Rockets team I have ever seen in my entire life (Was too little to have experienced the Hakeem years) and I am enjoying every moment of it without the least bit of concern about the playoffs. I honestly feel like this team has enough to make a deep push when that time comes.... For now.... This is just awesome Rockets basketball...
eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasy there, we have played 1 team worth mentioning as of yet. Lets be realistic. Im very happy with this start, its impressive to know that we are doing this good with almost a new bench.
I've waited long enough before "Kneejerking"... I have kept quiet and thought out this new team. You read right, NEW team. They brought elements from last year but they play very differently. I honestly don't believe they are just getting lucky, they are deciding their own luck by playing hard and playing defense. Harden is much improved as an overall player and leader despite poor shooting % at the moment. Ariza replacing Parsons has made a difference of night and day for us defense wise without sacrificing sweet threes and clutch shots. Howard is being Howard and showing signs of improvement early on vs last year where he played well and then went beast mode towards the end. He is going beast mode now. There is so much to talk about........PAPA in my opinion is the type of player SA gets and helps them big time in the playoffs. Luckily he plays for us. This team is improved, no doubt about it. I still think Harden's play dictates The Rokcets success. If he is making plays and making shots The Rockets are very very very hard to beat....
I know the overall competition hasn’t been great, but opposing OFFENSES have been nothing to sneeze at. Heat at #5, Celtics at #6, Lakers #9, Jazz at #11. If anything, it’s our offense that has taken a bit of a dip this season because we are not leaking out to get breakaway layups (Parsons stat-padding special).
agreed. The fact that Houston has stepped up defensively shows improvement from the coaching staff getting it across and our players buying in. Didnt know much about pop when he joined the team, but very happy with what hes producing.
Early and small sample size of course, but when was the last time Rockets were #1 in defense? http://espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/teamstats/_/sort/defensiveEff/order/false
