https://www.nba.com/news/offseason-power-rankings-west-2022 #14↑ Houston Rockets 2021-22 record: 20-62 Pace: 101.2 (2), OffRtg: 108.1 (26), DefRtg: 116.4 (30), NetRtg: -8.3 (29) Key addition(s): Jabari Smith Key departure(s): Christian Wood Three numbers to know… The Rockets led the league in free throw rate (28.4 attempts per 100 shots from the field). But they also had the league’s highest turnover rate (16.2 per 100 possessions) by a wide margin. The Rockets allowed 25.0 points per game in transition. That was the highest opponent mark in 18 seasons of Synergy tracking. After the All-Star break, Jalen Green had an effective field goal percentage of 56.5%, up from 46.4% before the break. That (+10.1%) was the fifth biggest jump among 99 players with at least 300 field goal attempts before the break and at least 200 after the break. Key question: Can they play a little bit of defense? With Green’s improvement, the Rockets were more competitive after the All-Star break, when they were outscored by 5.6 points per 100 possessions and when eight (42%) of their 19 losses were within five points in the last five minutes. Prior to the break, they were a minus-9.4 per 100 and only 10 (23%) of their 43 losses were within five in the last five. And that was with Wood ranking eighth on the team in total post-break minutes (425). For the season, the Rockets were a little better (minus-7.1 per 100, much better offensively, much worse defensively) in 244 minutes with Green, Kevin Porter Jr. and Jae’Sean Tate on the floor without Wood than they were in 780 minutes with Wood on the floor with the other three (minus-8.0 per 100). Green and Smith are the presumed cornerstones, and their development matters most. But there will also be spotlights on Porter (eligible for a contract extension between now and the start of the season) and Alperen Sengun, who should have a larger role with the departure of Wood. Development isn’t just about offense, and this was the worst defensive team in the league last season. Smith enters the league with the potential for being an elite defender, following two rookies – Herb Jones and Evan Mobley – who were able to make an immediate impact on that end of the floor. It would be nice if the other young guys can provide any kind of defensive resistance.
