Houston Rockets Breakdown: Rockets Maximizing Their Talent

[Erick Blasco]

With Yao Ming out for the season, and Rick Adelman wanting nothing to do with a recuperating Tracy McGrady, it’s a wonder how the Houston Rockets win any games at all.

 

In their 98-93 victory over the miserable New Jersey Nets, the Rockets struggled to put away the worst team in the NBA for many reasons.

 

• The Rockets missed no less than 15 layups (15!) with Trevor Ariza (4), Kyle Lowry (3), Chuck Hayes (2), Carl Landry (2), Luis Scola (2), and Aaron Brooks (2) being the culprits.
• Aside from bricking four layups, Ariza never found the stroke on his jumper—1-8 3FG—was timid around the basket, and didn’t show a world-class handle. He isn’t talented enough to be a go-to scorer on a great team.
• Brooks forced at least a half dozen shots and drives, while Lowry also jacked up a number of too-quick shot attempts.
• Lowry couldn’t find the basket with a map—1-9 FG, 7 PTS.
• Houston had difficulty with Brook Lopez’ size and strength around the hoop.
• Landry, Scola, and David Andersen were repeatedly beaten off the dribble by Yi Jianlian.
• Because the Rockets rarely sell out their weak-side help to avoid going into rotations, Yi’s drives, and several Nets screen/rolls resulted in layups.
• Included in Andersen’s horrible defensive lowlight reel was allowing the offensively challenged Josh Boone to drop a right hook over him.
• Luis Scola can score in the post, but he needs sufficient space and multiple spin moves to do so.
• Houston gave up too many open looks from downtown late that the Nets couldn’t capitalize on.
• Shane Battier was beaten backdoor by Courtney Lee three times, resulting in five points.
• Houston had trouble completing one-on-one offensive moves, as evidenced by their missed layups. Most of Houston’s success came off of execution of sets. If a team can choke off those sets, Houston becomes vulnerable offensively.

So how possibly are the Rockets winning?

 

• Carl Landry—9-14 FG, 8-11 FT—is a big time scorer in the post. He has explosive feet, brute strength, and never backs away from physicality, as evidenced by the dental work he’s needed after losing so many teeth in collisions. When Houston needed a basket, Landry was the guy they turned to.
• Battier knocked down two of his patented corner triples, came up with a key block on a Devin Harris fast break, and didn’t get in the way.
• Luis Scola was automatic with his mid-range jumper, knocking down five J’s in six attempts.
• Aaron Brooks—5-13 FG, 17 PTS—can scoot anywhere he wants, and shoot over anybody.
• Even if he had a bad game, Lowry is as tough as iron.
• David Andersen has legit three-point range—2-3 3FG.
• The Rockets spaced the floor well and took advantage of New Jersey’s overreacting on ball penetrations. Whenever Ariza isolated on the baseline and a big man dropped down to show help, a pass to the top of the key would result in open shots for Scola and Andersen.
• Andersen and the Rockets took advantage of the Nets fronting Landry by clearing out the weak side, and having Andersen flash to the free throw line where he made a nifty entry pass to Landry for a basket.
• If Ariza couldn’t find the range, his teammates responded from downtown. Houston went 8-19 from downtown, but not including Ariza, that number jumps to 7-11.
• Houston’s unselfishness and execution is evidenced by their high assist ratios—25 assists, 34 field goals, 10 turnovers, excellent numbers.
• Houston’s effort level is best displayed by their rebounding totals, 51 to 39. More impressively, Houston grabbed 16 offensive rebounds while holding New Jersey to six offensive retrievals.
• For the most part, Houston can defend straight up without going into scramble mode. This makes it easier for them to defend the perimeter, and New Jersey only shot 4-16 from downtown. And when opponents do shoot, every shot is contested.

In other words, because Houston prepares diligently, concedes nothing, focuses on executing, and plays smart basketball, they maximize the talent level and get the most out of themselves.

 

In that case, Houston is winning because of some combination of Rick Adelman’s coaching, Landry’s unheralded pivot game, Battier’s leadership, and a collective maturity in order to play tough, smart basketball.

 

While it’s unclear if Houston can simply work their way to a playoff series victory, they’re an example of how much a collection of individuals can succeed if they trust each other and do their homework.

 

Or to put it more succinctly, they’re the embodiment of why no team is allowed to make excuses.

[Erick Blasco]

Just giving this article a bump.

[Poe]

Good stuff, as usual.

 

I agree about Ariza not being a true go-to scorer. He's best working off of good playmakers... like T-Mac.

[Erick Blasco]

Good stuff, as usual.

 

I agree about Ariza not being a true go-to scorer. He's best working off of good playmakers... like T-Mac.

 

or Kobe Bryant

[Cobb]

I'm beginning to wonder if they are actually better without Yao. I didn't expect them to be playing so well. If they keep it up they could easily land the 5th or 6th seed, possibly even higher.