Houston Rockets: 3 Questions On Their Hot Start
Three weeks into the 2014-15 season the Houston Rockets improve to 8-1 and are tied with the Memphis Grizzlies atop of the Western Conference. With an easy schedule overall eight games into the season, wins over the almighty San Antonio Spurs and a solid Miami Heat squad stand alone atop of the Rockets’ 2014-15 resumé.
A lot of things have gone the Rockets way in the early season, however, due to the low-quality of their match-ups nine games into the season, their hot start lingers on the following questions:
1. Can James Harden keep up with his defensive commitment?
So far, James Harden has been somewhat of an improvement on defense, compared to previous seasons.
- ON – DRtg: 92.0, DREB%: 74.6.
- OFF – DRtg: 99.1, DREB%: 69.0.
Nonetheless, the Rockets have matched up against teams with terrible offenses and only three of them have a 100-plus point-per-game average — Los Angeles Lakers 102.6, Boston Celtics 104.6 (!!!), and Golden State Warriors 104.8 — and only three playoff-bound teams — San Antonio Spurs, Miami Heat, Golden State Warriors.
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For once, since the 2008-09 season, the Rockets look like the defensive powerhouse they ought to be. It remains to be seen if they can keep it up against the top-tier teams in the league*, but if they can, the Rockets should be considered favorites, along with the Warriors, to come out of the Western Conference.
2. Is Dwight Howard Back?
It sure looks like it.
With every passing game, Dwight Howard further reinforces his position as one of the most dominant big-men in the game. Going back to his Orlando Magic days, this is the first season we’ve seen this type of dominance out of Howard.
After a surgically repaired back and a torn labrum on his right shoulder, his athleticism seems to be back for good. But again, it all boils down to the type of teams the Rockets have faced during the season since every player would be able to perform at a similar level against the lower-tier of the league.
Another lingering question that surrounds Howard’s performance is whether he can keep this physical effort going for the rest of the season. As reliable as he has been in the past — missing about 5.2 games per season for his career — surgically repaired backs are not the greatest news for an aging big man in the NBA.
3. How Good is Jason Terry?
Jason Terry is having a career-year in 3-point-percentage (54.5) and field-goal-percentage (51.2), of course those numbers are going down once the season goes along.
However, the Rockets score at a rate of 108.2 points per 48 minutes with him on the floor. Without him? 98.9. Yes, fifteen-year veteran Jason Terry represents a 10-point-per-game swing for the 2nd place in the West Houston Rockets.
Although great news overall for the Houston Rockets, everything they’ve accomplished lingers on them keeping up with their current hot-streak. With Western Conference teams struggling to find their ground early on, it would be wise for them to take advantage of a rather easy schedule the way they have.
So far, so good.
* They held the Golden State Warriors to a peasant 98 points, 6-points below their season average.