Houston Rockets: Taking A Different Look At 2014-15
There are many proven ways to evaluate a team’s success, or total lack thereof, during a season. And this, even though it’s not the most statistical approach to the matter, is also one of those ways.
As successful as they’ve been midway through the season, the 32-14 Houston Rockets, just like Dwight Howard‘s suit in the featured image of this piece, don’t seem to match the Western Conference’s opponent-crushing style.
Even through one of the best seasons in recent franchise history, the Houston Rockets are still struggling to exercise full dominance over their opponents night-in and night-out, as they should.
Of course, they’ve had some great games against some of the top contenders in the toughest conference in basketball, however, it’s their careless losses which could eventually surprise the team come playoff time.
Coulda, woulda, shoulda.
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During the first half of the season, the Houston Rockets have faced a total of 24 teams with a winning record. In those games they have a 12-12 record which is, to say the least, not elite, at all.
*For perspective’s sake, the Rockets do have a better record against teams with at least a .500 record than:
- Toronto Raptors .476
- Cleveland Cavaliers .458
- Dallas Mavericks .454
- Washington Wizards .454
- New Orleans Pelicans .440
- Phoenix Suns .409
- Oklahoma City Thunder .333
(* Records from 3:00 PM of Jan. 28th)
Eighth out of 16 doesn’t seem that bad, right?
With a 9-9 record, the Houston Rockets are fifth — out of 10 — among Western Conference teams with winning records facing each other.
Not exactly a bad thing either, right?
Well, it is definitely not good when you consider the following: (1) you’re fighting for an NBA championship; (2) a lot, sorry, A LOT of things have gone your way — yes, I am aware the Rockets had a rough stretch at the beginning of the season in which Dwight Howard, Terrence Jones, and almost every other starter with the exception of James Harden, was out due to injury for even a game — but the Rockets have been successful with a sub-par offense all along; (3) you’re competing within the grueling Western Conference; and, (4) your have the leading MVP candidate, James Harden, playing out of his mind.
The offense sure is a reason to doubt the Houston Rockets’ chances, however, it is their defense — which had them almost on top of the Western Conference for a brief stint in the beginning of the season — that should scare the crap out of every single Rocket fan out there.
For the first 27 games of the season the Rockets had a top-3 defense that allowed 92.2 points per game.
Nevertheless, ever since taking on Josh Smith, for the last 18 games that same defense has allowed 101.8 points per game. Good enough for 13th in the league.
Of course, a decline in their defensive performance wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the team had a few more weapons offensively. Still, by playing the smartest offense in years, the Rockets have condensed their scoring abilites by concentrating, almost exclusively, in short-twos in the paint and 3-point shots.
A constantly imploding defense and a near-powerless offense with slim-to-none improving opportunities, the Houston Rockets’ title hopes could vanish in a second.