Remember the old days (well, not so old, think in seasons past), where we seemed to get called for every foul, and after every loss everyone would complain that the refs never gave us a chance to play? Well, nowadays it seems that the refs ARE giving the Rockets some preferential treatment, and I'm loving it. I remember watching the Sacramento game last night and thinking, wow Bobby Jackson got absolutely hammered there. Yet, there was no whistle! Then I'm thinking, God, I'm glad that isn't us anymore. The Rockets like to play a physical brand of basketball that wears opponents down and leaves them with bruises they'll feel the next day. Yet they're averaging 18.9 fouls per game, good for 29th in the league. That's with Scola AND Artest AND Landry AND Yao elbowing and scratching their way to the victory. Contrast that with known bruisers, the Golden State Warriors, who average 22.4 fouls per game. It looks like the Rockets are finally being treated like the WC playoff team they are, instead of some 14th place team.
I always have problems understanding the rankings of stats like this, so 29th means there is only 1 team that has committed FEWER fouls per game and the Rox are second best in the league. Who is #1?
I attribute it to a few things. One, Scola and Yao have become much smarter about fouling. Scola seems to have adjusted better to NBA rules, though athletic PFs still give him trouble. Every game, Yao is in the ears of refs explaining how he's jumping vertically with his hands up in the paint, and it seems to be working. Also, Artest plays a physical style of game that forces refs to be more selective about their foul calls. This in turn influences the way they call the fouls on other Rockets players. After all, they have to remain consistent.
Yeah, that's why I had to compare them with other teams. GS is 7th in the league. 30th place belongs to San Antonio, but you probably knew that already.
it goes two ways, because yao gets murdered every time and he sometimes goes games without even getting to the freethrow line. That's truly disgusting
If you guys ever go to another opponent's message board during or after a game, they routinely complain about all the calls the refs give us. A popular complaint is that they allow us to play really aggressive and physical. Perhaps our long established identity as a defensive ball-club gives us some leeway on the contact. It's worth taking a look at the other side some times. Just for perspective.
That's the point. Those calls used to go against us all the time. It may happen from time to time, especially with regards to Yao, but I find that it's much less than in previous years. PS I'd rather the refs be unfair to the Sacramento than to us, wouldn't you?
the fouls have gone down over the years but you have to realize that there's a relationship between fouling and defense You'll notice that the teams that average the most fouls are generally the worser defensive teams (Boston being the exception) and right now I think the rockets are playing some great defense (especially since tmac went out) so that has something to do with it too
The reason I can think of are 1. Rockets play a slower paced game, not much points in transaction, not much fouls to prevent transaction points. 2. Yao doesn't get called a lot fouls on defensive end anymore, so teams are hesitate to attack the rim, which reduced a lot fouls from Rockets. 3. Having players like Battier and Artest who got good defender reputations also helps. Especially for Artest, he got away with a lot body contacts while defending. 34 Refs let the game involve Rockets play more physical. Yao doesn't get calls on the other end now, as a result refs let both teams play more physical. Also as a result, Rockets are dead last at number of "And 1"s in NBA, #27 in inside FG percentage. So you can't just say Rockets benifited from refs. They simply sorrow their whistle on both ends when Rockets play.
Basketball-reference.com has some interesting stats: Rockets Opponetn Points Per Possession Rank: 06/07: 3rd best 07/08: 2nd best 08/09: 4th best Rockets Opponenet FT Attemot per FG Attempt: 06/07: 9th 07/08: 9th 08/09: 2nd Rocket Opponent eFG%: 06/07: 1st 07/08: 2nd 08/09: 4th While the team's D has remained near the top each year, the foul rate has in fact lowered quite a bit this year over the past few years. I am thinking the Rocket foul rate has a lot to do with Yao Ming. The opponents attempted 18 FTs per 48 minute with him on the floor, 25 when he is off. In prior years, opponents attempted 21 in 07/08 with him on, and generally 24 or so in years past. While Yao's personal foul rate didn't really decrease this year over the last few, he's somehow doing a better job preventing other guys from fouling. The Rockets foul rate with him off the floor varies depending on the year, but never quite the difference that it was this season. One of the reasons to this, I think is Yao hanging back on p'n'r coverage more under Adelman. Sure he gives up a ton of open midrange J (either by the picker or the guard), but every jumper taken is one less possession likely leading to a foul-- and frankly, that trade off hasn't killed the Rockets defense on most nights.
That's interesting about Yao. The fact that he stays more in the lane now when he's involved in pick and rolls does make a big difference. Add the fact that refs are not calling fouls on him if he just jumps straight up and down, he's literally turned into a great wall (that jumps). Artest being there I think gives our defense more credibility. Battier is obviously an elite defender, but he's not as aggressive or as flashy on defense. Having a former DPOY does wonders for the rep of this team, I think.
Ron Artest was the key to getting away with the rough play. He's Known for his bruising play. Also Yao has a lot more aggressive attitude this year. He dunks more then I've ever seen him. And did you see when he pushed Derek Fisher away from are huddle when he was jawing at Brooks, the last time we played the Lakers. We've even almost had fights with the Celtics and the Suns this year. We've just haven't been taking anyones crap and I love thisteams unity and tough attitude.
what are you guys talking about? i felt the refs were terrible in the kings game, even though they're the last place team. and the refs let us play physical and get away with fouls? you mean we're the jazz v.2 now?
As the Rockets cement themselves as a perennial playoff contender they'll get better treatment from the refs, especially with regards to Yao.
Solid thread, ParaSolid. I still see Yao getting hammered all the time and not getting nearly the number of calls he deserves, but the numbers don't lie. As a team, the Rocks are getting better treatment from the refs and perhaps their improved play includes smarter play, will fewer fouls committed. Anyway, kudos for pointing this out, and it's a great example of a (sorry!) solid thread idea.
Reminds me of my thread... http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=156390 And here at the end of the season... it rings true. I'm good.
I think it's yao's playing style that limits his free throw number but not the refs. instead of attacking the rim fiercely, yao always would rather finish the offensive round with a fade away jumper. besides, his awesome performances at the line also make his opponents would rather let him get a field goal than send him to the line. his opponents can caculate that they'd better just give yao a lay-up or dunk rather than give yao two free throws and add a foul on their stats.
