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5 Reasons Why The Houston Rockets Can Win The West

By Kyle Tomasi

Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket on Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Rockets won 130-114. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket on Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) during the fourth quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Rockets won 130-114. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Defense Wins Championships

On paper, the Rockets aren’t the most lockdown team in the league, but it seems like they do just enough to get the job done.

Trevor Ariza is the defensive anchor for the Rockets and has been since joining the team in 2014. He’s always been known for his defensive ability and his length can be trouble for opposing offenses.

Ariza is currently third in the NBA in steals per game (1.93) and has averaged more than 1.5 steals or more per game eight of his last nine seasons.

Aside from Ariza, Rockets fans might be surprised to see whose name shows up next amongst the team.

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James Harden. Yeah, you read that right. Harden and Beverley are currently tied for second most steals on the team at 1.49 per game. Again, none of these numbers are eye-popping any which way you look at it, but it’s the team effort that makes them a contender.

Perimeter defense has stepped up this season as the Rockets are holding opponents to 35.1 percent from the perimeter which ranks them tied for sixth in the league. Along with shooting percentage, the Rockets tip passes and get steals at an impressive rate too.

Averaging 8.3 steals per game as a team, the Rockets are tied for seventh in the league there as well. It’s impressive to see the Rockets so successful for still allowing 107.8 points per game but they are third in the league in point differential.

A plus-6.7 point differential has them ranked only behind Golden State and San Antonio. No surprise there as the Rockets are having to fight an uphill battle all season and postseason to even get out of the West.

Defense wins championships and this year the Rockets can’t rely solely on their offensive prowess to win them a championship.

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