As the competition improves, the team will look different. So far, we haven't played a playoff team. So far, so good, but big tests are ahead. Can we beat the league's elite is the real question? The team has some glaring holes that can be exploited by elite teams and coaches.
To be fair, Rockets are only a better rebounding team using the above referenced stats because they miss a lot less than their opponents while New Orleans misses more than their opponents.
Per basketball-reference, defensive rebounding % which adjust for opportunities instead of raw numbers. Defensive Rebounding % Houston, 72.3% Pelicans, 71.9%
I like the way the team has been taking care of business against weaker teams. It's important. What I don't like is the lack of movement off the ball. Everything seems very static and good defenses will punish that.
Those numbers are basically identical with this sample size. offensive Rebounding % Rockets 29.6% Pellies 35.4% These numbers are not basically identical. My point stands.
The Rockets miss less because they shoot better, they rebound more because they force bad shots and position themselves better to get the ball off the carom and you are equating this to what to be fair?
Rockets do not position themselves better. The Rockets are as likely to get a defensive board as the Pellies. The Pellies are much more likely to get an offensive board. Rockets are a better team and force more misses. I do not equate making a lot of shots and limiting an opponent's defensive rebounding opportunities to being better at rebounding.
they haven't been tested yet. all 3 games were against lotto teams. tonight will be against another one. i'm not saying they that the things that have looked better from last year haven't looked better, but it won't look as good against elite teams. all we can estimate right now is that it looks like they are beating the teams they are supposed to beat, and they are actually trying on defense.
So far, the collective points of all 3 guys Ariza has guarded (Avery Bradley; Wesley Johnson; and Gordon Hayward) is 21. That's not bad.
3 things I've noticed: Activity Activity Activity The team is active on defense. They chase guys off the 3 point line. Even Harden. They are active on the glass. I've seen 2-3 Rockets attack the glass regularly at once. They are active on offense. I've seem more movement
Yes, but I like the fact that we are handily beating the teams we should. I can't say the same for the start of last season.
What I'mseeing so far is that our 3 opponents have had a hard passing the ball into or thru the paint. I love good interior defense,
You old guys and your per game stats. Ariza is currently playing less minutes (because of competition and we have a legit backup SF). Per 36 min he's averaging 6.0 rebs this year and Parsons averaged 5.3 rebs last year. And, I don't think there's any denying that Ariza is a better fit for this team. Some of Parsons' best attributes overlapped with Harden's where as Ariza covers up weaknesses that were all too evident in the playoffs.
