1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

Reality Check After Rockets' Game 30 of 2014-15 Season

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by rockets94-95, Dec 30, 2014.

Tags:
  1. rockets94-95

    rockets94-95 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,576
    Likes Received:
    1,499
    Are the Rockets as good as we thought they were/think they could be? What difference does having Dwight in the lineup make, for better or worse?

    I'll leave the answers to those questions to others, but some number crunching (see below) suggests that the Rockets' early season success -- while admirable given all the injuries -- should not be overstated. It also reflects the significance of a healthy Dwight Howard on the court when it comes to team defense.

    Through 30 games, the Rockets have amassed a 21-9 record against opponents with a combined 323-323 record. Playing against teams that are .500 or better, the Rockets are 7-8.

    Our 21 wins have come against teams with a combined 220-276 record (.443), while our 9 losses have come against teams with a combined 153-90 record (.629). In our 21 wins, we have surrendered an average of 94.5 ppg, while in our 9 losses we have given up an average of 104.3 ppg.

    With Dwight in the lineup, the Rockets have gone 13-5 (with the opponents in those games garnering a combined 205-221 record so far). In those games, DH averaged 18.5 points and ~11.8 rebounds, and the team gave up an average of ~96.7 ppg.

    Without Dwight in the lineup, the Rockets have gone 8-4 (with the opponents in those games garnering a combined 154-156 record so far). In those games, the team gave up an average of ~98.7 ppg.
     
    #1 rockets94-95, Dec 30, 2014
    1 person likes this.
  2. YallMean

    YallMean Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2003
    Messages:
    14,284
    Likes Received:
    3,815
    Thanks for the data.

    Our record against winning teams isn't putting us into the rank of an elite team.
    On the other hand, aren't we pretty good on the road so far?
     
    #2 YallMean, Dec 30, 2014
  3. hotballa

    hotballa Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2002
    Messages:
    12,521
    Likes Received:
    316
    its the same as last year. we beat teams because we have superior talent. there is no rhyme or reason to the offensive gameplan and the coach has zero idea how to get consistent defensive effort from the players.
     
    #3 hotballa, Dec 30, 2014
  4. Zergling

    Zergling Member

    Joined:
    Jul 14, 2010
    Messages:
    5,728
    Likes Received:
    3,629
    We have the best road record in the entire league last time I checked. That in itself = ELITE team.
     
    #4 Zergling, Dec 30, 2014
  5. mfastx

    mfastx Member

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2009
    Messages:
    10,309
    Likes Received:
    3,913
    21-9 isn't bad, but I don't like where the trend is going.

    We need to right the ship, but we have plenty of time to do that.
     
    #5 mfastx, Dec 30, 2014
  6. JMAD21

    JMAD21 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2010
    Messages:
    4,288
    Likes Received:
    870
    Relax guys! We've lost a couple games... This is still a very good, possibly great team! In a couple weeks (or maybe even sooner) we will go on a little win streak and you will all think we're the best team in the league again.

    Try not to react to one or two games so much...
     
    #6 JMAD21, Dec 30, 2014
  7. JoeBarelyCares

    JoeBarelyCares Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2001
    Messages:
    6,609
    Likes Received:
    1,883
    January schedule does not look friendly.
     
    #7 JoeBarelyCares, Dec 30, 2014
  8. ilovehtownbb

    ilovehtownbb Member

    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2014
    Messages:
    5,544
    Likes Received:
    2,759
    problem is at the PG spot. We need another guy who can make plays besides Harden. (Dragic I am looking at you) The whole team rely on Harden too much. Our offense are very predictable. That's why last year's playoff run was a failure.
     
    #8 ilovehtownbb, Dec 30, 2014
  9. NL Rocket

    NL Rocket Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2012
    Messages:
    4,382
    Likes Received:
    103
    The biggest problem is we start out cold, we've had to rely on Harden way too much to get a comeback victory. We've been down by 10+ in so many games now, the starting line-up needs to bring it.
     
    #9 NL Rocket, Dec 30, 2014
  10. CrashTheBoards

    CrashTheBoards Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2014
    Messages:
    692
    Likes Received:
    22
    So you are saying in order to be elite in the playoffs we need to tank to make sure we do not get HCA? We did lose 2/3 games to Portland in Houston.
     
    #10 CrashTheBoards, Dec 30, 2014
  11. RoxBeliever

    RoxBeliever Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,608
    Likes Received:
    134
    It's the starting unit that has slowed down. They've had to exert extra effort to carry the team sans Dwight earlier. Human nature is to relax a little since getting reinforcements since the season is a long haul.

    Again the biggest factor is health. Harden has been deferring these couple of games. Could be the hamstring that he is nursing, so he's trying to conserve energy. His defense has not been as stingy as earlier in the season.

    Dwight also is inconsistent since he came back from the injury. Bev was injured, then got sick. Ariza could be playing tired.

    I'd say the team is recalibrating. This is a test of their pride and determination. Will the adversity push them together or pull them apart?
     
    #11 RoxBeliever, Dec 30, 2014
  12. RoxBeliever

    RoxBeliever Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,608
    Likes Received:
    134
    Also since Bev's 3pt shot has gone missing, he's struggled to contribute. He is the culprit of those 24-sec violations during which he can't seem to give up the ball. What is that guy thinking?

    If both Ariza and Bev are missing shots, we have to either bench one of them in favor of Terry or Brewer. Their lack of shooting is causing the defense to collapse on Harden and Howard.
     
    #12 RoxBeliever, Dec 30, 2014
  13. MarioKissoDeath

    MarioKissoDeath Member
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2011
    Messages:
    487
    Likes Received:
    537
    One on one hero ball doesn't work against teams that play smart by moving the ball an running set plays and that play sound team defense. We have to work so much harder to score than those teams.
     
    #13 MarioKissoDeath, Dec 30, 2014
  14. RoxBeliever

    RoxBeliever Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2009
    Messages:
    6,608
    Likes Received:
    134
    If Howard still plays disinterestedly, I would relegate him to the bench. Then I would expand the rotation so we can play Canaan and Papa again.
     
    #14 RoxBeliever, Dec 30, 2014
  15. rockets94-95

    rockets94-95 Member

    Joined:
    Jul 4, 2013
    Messages:
    1,576
    Likes Received:
    1,499
    Rockets should beat the Heat tonight--after all the team is 15-1 against teams with losing records. Our paltry 7-9 record against teams with winning records is another story and does not bode as well for games against the elite teams or postseason success...
     
    #15 rockets94-95, Jan 3, 2015
  16. Easy

    Easy Boban Only Fan
    Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2002
    Messages:
    38,235
    Likes Received:
    29,723
    To break it down a little more:

    At home
    5-5 against winning teams
    6-1 against losing teams

    On the road
    2-4 against winning teams
    9-0 against losing teams
     
    #16 Easy, Jan 3, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page