2. The Rockets have a top 10 defense after all
After finishing 18th overall in defensive rating last season, the Rockets have shown exactly how things can quickly change in the month of November.
The acquisitions of Luc Mbah A Moute and P.J. Tucker, to go alongside Trevor Ariza and Clint Capela, have helped Houston become a top 10 defensive team this season. A team that sought to only outscore teams a year ago is now finding a way to shut opponents down at the other end.
The Rockets currently rank seventh overall among all NBA teams in defensive rating, allowing 101.6 points per 100 possessions. They also sit fourth overall in steals, with a total of 9.1 per contest.
However, head coach Mike D’Antoni is not fully satisfied, as he recently expressed his desires for the Rockets to get into the top five team this season.
"“Overall I think our defense is better,” D’Antoni stated to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle earlier this month. “You’re always trying to get up there. Top ten probably gives us a legitimate shot of being deep in the playoffs. Top five gives us a really good shot.” “Our goal is to always get better. We’d like to get to fifth or as high as we can.”"
While D’Antoni’s commitment to defense can no longer be taken as a joke anymore, the Rockets’ emergence as a top 10 defensive team has to be encouraging for fans in Clutch City to witness. Though it’s still early in the regular season, Houston appears to have discovered what it takes to knock off the likes of the Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.