Rocket Identity crisis, will the true Rockets please stand up?

For the past 2 weeks, rockets had an inconsisitent 3-3 record beating 3 great teams (Spurs, Sacremento, Philidelphia) while losing to New Orleans, the Grizzlies, and the Clippers. One stat perticularly jump out is that in the three wins, Rockets defense clamped down on the opponets giving up average of 81 pt in those games (75 to the spurs, 72 to 76ers, and 96 to the high scoring Sacremeto). In the three loses, they give up 102 pts per games (98 to New Orleans, 114 to Memphis, and 94 to the Clippers). For a team that hold their opponents to average of 88pts a game, the Rockets once again are the Dr. Jeckell and Mr. Hyde of the west. Playing against superior oppenents, team defense fuel Rockets wins. Playing against lesser opponents, Rockets revert back to the days of Mad Bombers of the wild west. Well, will the true Rockets stand up and end this madness.

Another observation is the play of Glen Rice, being a big fan of Glen Rice in his glory days with Miami and Charlotte, I am extremely disappointed to note the fact in the three loses, Rice average close to 35 min/game. In the three wins, he played 22 min/game. Having watched Rice through out his career, Rice has always been known to put out his best offensive outputs to outscore his opponents. Being 35 yrs old, Rice has definetly lost a step and is no longer able to keep up with opposing high flying SF and SG. Arguably, the SF and SG position in the NBA is the deepest (with the likes of MacGrady, Garnett, Mashburn, Pierce....). Every team seem to have either or both a 3pt specialist, a dunking machine or a combination of both at those positions. When Rockets starts Rice, the team is clearly built for run and gun, with Mobley, and Rice on the wings setting up for kickout 3's, and consequently a porus defense that gives up penetration, open jump shots, and offensive rebounds also shows up. I have read quite a few posts in this forum that criticizes Stevie, Mobley, Griffin and others Rockets about their one on one defense. I think thats uncalled for. When you evaluate a team defense prowess, you have to take a wholistic view. To me, the weakest link in Rockets team defense is Rice, who in his entire career has been known to floate on defense while playing at a position that essentially demands defensive attention because of abundance of offensive talents in the NBA. Just look at the Lakers and the Bulls, Rick fox and Pippen are known to be able to lock down opposing forwards while doing the intangibles(fighting through screens, getting the tough rebounds, quick double teams, and forcing bad shots from the opponent). The lakers let him go for the exact same reason.

But I think Rice definetly has role on this young Rocket team, his championship experience and clutch shooting is vital to the team success in the playoff success. Yes, Rockets will be in the playoffs if Rice comes off the bench and faces lesser talents or tired stars. As for all the trade talk, the Rockets bench has little trade value and they are better off sticking with the existing unit. They have the talents to win 48 games this years. They just need some consistent defensive effort for the remainder of the season.

 

Griffin and Hawk were playing extremely well defensively for the Rockets and their minutes have been cut back significantly since Rice came back from injury. I think Rudy is still experimenting with his line-up and I have enough confidence Rudy will cut back Rice's minutes in the future. TCan't argue with Rudy when he has 2 rings.