So we are 4-2 and looking very sharp, let's look at some stats: 3rd in assists behind Boston and GS 3rd in steals behind Toronto and Jazz 3rd in blocks behind LAC and Jazz (tied 1st) 3rd in forcing TOs behind Atlanta and Bucks 5th in opponents 3p% 6th in opponents FG% 13th in rebounding (this is actually an improvement!) 17th in opponents points 19th in FG% 18th in 3p% 24th in FT% 25th in TO Conclusion: defensively we've been very solid, we've been moving the ball a bit better, still getting a lot of steals, TJ's comeback has helped tremendously with shot blocking. Offensively still way too many TOs, all shooting percentages are pretty bad for a top 3 team and rebounding is still solid and will improve when Howard comes back.
Since the all star break, for the 6 games the Rockets played, below are the results of the rebounds of the Rockets vs their opponents and their opponents rebounding ranking in NBA. Hawks : no. 27 (out rebounded -8) Raptors : no. 25 (plus rebounds +13) Twolves : no. 24 (out rebounded -2) Nets : no. 22 (out rebounded -3) Clippers : no. 21 (out rebounded -3) Mavs : no. 20 (out rebounded -3) Is this really an improvement? Morey on 790 : "Morey: Our guys find any way to win. Would rather have Dwight back comfortably snatching them. Looking forward to having him back when it happens. Not sustainable to lose the boards and keep winning. Stacks the deck too much."
As good as DMo is on offense and defense, he's terrible at rebounding (doesn't help that he has to box out centers). He'll need to bulk up in the off season so he can box and push his guys further out. Not like he'll just get ups miraculously, he'll have to work on strength.
