Showing posts with label Mike D'Antoni. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike D'Antoni. Show all posts
Ep. 119: Reflecting on Houston's offseason, Chris Paul's tenure with the Rockets, and more w/ Craig Ackerman
Ep. 118: Analyzing the Russell Westbrook/Chris Paul trade
Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and special guest Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) break down all angles of the stunning Russell Westbrook/Chris Paul trade from a Las Vegas airport.
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Ep. 117: Rockets Offseason Review w/ Kelly Iko
Salman Ali (@RedNationHoops) and The Athletic's Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) break down Houston's offseason from an undisclosed Las Vegas hotel room. Topics include:
-Their failed Jimmy Butler pursuit
-The signings of Danuel House, Austin Rivers, and Gerald Green
-Deals that Houston missed on
-What the Rockets still need
-The status of Iman Shumpert
-Where do the Rockets rank in the new and improved Western Conference?
-Is continuity good?
-Addressing fan disappointment
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Ep. 116: The Calm Before The Storm w/ Adam Spolane
Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and special guest Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) discuss the ever evolving Jimmy Butler situation heading into free agency, all the associated risks of Houston's pursuit, possible free agency targets for the Rockets, and more.
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Ep. 115: Rockets to pursue Jimmy Butler, Chris Paul and James Harden reported tension, and more w/ Adam Spolane
Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) discuss the Rockets pursuit of Jimmy Butler via sign-and-trade with the Philadelphia 76ers, the reported tension between Chris Paul and James Harden, tools the Rockets have this summer to make moves, who they should keep, and more.
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Ep. 114: Season Reflections and Offseason Preview w/ Craig Ackerman
Ep. 113: Mike D'Antoni Extension Talks Break Down, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker Extension talk, and more w/ Kelly Iko
Salman Ali (@RedNationHoops) and The Athletic's Kelly Iko (@KellyIkoNBA) discuss Mike D'Antoni's extension negotiations breaking down, who replaces Jeff Bzdelik, and discuss possible extensions for Eric Gordon and P.J. Tucker.
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Ep. 112: Rockets gut coaching staff, Mike D'Antoni extension negotiations, and more w/ Ben DuBose
Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) and special guest Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) discuss the Rockets letting go of assistant coaches Jeff Bzdelik, Roy Rogers, Irv Roland, and Mitch Vanya, Mike D'Antoni's extension negotiations, and more.
Listen to The Red Nation Hoops Podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Ep. 111: Jeff Bzdelik firing, Mike D'Antoni extension talks, and more w/ Adam Spolane
Listen to The Red Nation Hoops Podcast on iTunes, Google Play Music, Stitcher, and Spotify.
Report: Multiple Rockets Take Home Awards For Month of December
By Matthew Cardenas on January 2, 2019
(photo credits - @HoustonRockets on Twitter)
Those around the Association took note of the Rockets' turnaround and rewarded them for it. Head coach Mike D'Antoni was named Western Conference Coach of the Month for the fourth time with the organization, a franchise record. He had to make some tough decisions that ended up being worthwhile such as who should receive more minutes after Chris Paul suffered a hamstring strain. D'Antoni has opted to give Danuel House more time and it has done wonders for the Rockets. Recently-signed Austin Rivers has also garnered the attention of D'Antoni.
James Harden has been the cornerstone for the Rockets since being traded to Houston in 2012. He seems to take his game to an even higher level every season, somehow outdoing himself when no one expects it. Harden's month of December was a historic one. He joined Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to score 400 points in a 10-game span. All of that results in a Player of the Month award for Harden, his sixth time winning the award (tying Hakeem Olajuwon) all coming with the Rockets.
To put all of it into better perspective, Harden scored 546 points total in the month of December. The next closest player was Paul George with 431, who is a legitimate MVP candidate this season. Harden would finish December with averages of 36.4 PPG, 7.9 APG and 5.9 RPG while shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 41.3 percent from three.
With Paul going down, Harden took an even bigger offensive load and ran away with it, taking this Rockets team to new heights and getting them back on track after a disastrous 1-5 start and being 11-14 at one point. He has scored at least 30 points in the last 10 games and at least 40 in the last four. This valiant effort by Harden has caught everybody's attention and put him back in the MVP conversation, where he is confident in his chances to take the award home once again.
This run by Harden is one of the most historic stretches in NBA history. Many in the media have drawn the comparison to Kobe Bryant's play in January of 2006, where he averaged 43.4 PPG for the month. It certainly makes a lot of sense as both players took it upon themselves to have team success and did whatever it took.“Of course I should be in the conversation (for MVP). I receive a lot of hate, but that won’t stop me from going out there and killing every single night....realistically, it’s coming back.” - James Harden on his MVP candidacy. #Rockets— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) December 28, 2018
The job is not close to finished for the Rockets. Even with sole possession of 4th in the Western Conference, the conference is so stacked that the standings change nightly. Their hot streak will need to continue in order to remain a top team and return to the Western Conference Finals. A rematch against the Golden State Warriors takes place Thursday night in Oracle, where both Eric Gordon and Chris Paul will be sidelined. Once the team is back to full health, there is no telling what levels the team could reach. But for now, Harden and D'Antoni are rewarded for their part in the Rockets' turnaround in December.
Report: Carmelo Anthony Signs 1-Year, $2.5 Million Deal With Rockets
By Matthew Cardenas on August 15, 2018
It is finally happening. There are no more hoops to jump through. Carmelo Anthony will sign with the Rockets after he has now officially cleared waivers. Anthony was recently involved with a trade involving the Oklahoma City Thunder and Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks bought Anthony out and he gave the organization $2.4 million, which he got reimbursed by the Rockets.
Why The Rockets Should Lengthen Their Rotation
By Kyle Chilek on November 2, 2017
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Coming into the 2018 season, many were impressed at how deep the Rockets managed to look - even after trading four rotation players for one in the Chris Paul trade. The Rockets filled in those three rotation holes with savvy vets (Luc Mbah A Moute, P.J. Tucker and Tarik Black) in moves that many thought would help keep the Rockets most important players fresh.
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Embed from Getty Images
Coming into the 2018 season, many were impressed at how deep the Rockets managed to look - even after trading four rotation players for one in the Chris Paul trade. The Rockets filled in those three rotation holes with savvy vets (Luc Mbah A Moute, P.J. Tucker and Tarik Black) in moves that many thought would help keep the Rockets most important players fresh.
Should We Worry About The Rockets' Offense?
By Kyle Chilek on October 26, 2017
Follow @K_Chile22
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Just five games into the season, the Rockets offense has not been what many imagined it would be, even when factoring in the absence of the team's biggest off-season acquisition, Chris Paul. After shooting their way to a top ten offensive rating of all time last season, they find themselves out of this season's top 10, at 11th so far. While on the surface 11th doesn't seem like anything to be disappointed in, when you compare offensive ratings between this year and last, you will see a difference of 6.7 points. That's about the same difference between last year's Warriors and Hornets. So this brings forth the question, is there systemic or personnel issues leading to this drop off, or is it just early season noise?
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Embed from Getty Images
Just five games into the season, the Rockets offense has not been what many imagined it would be, even when factoring in the absence of the team's biggest off-season acquisition, Chris Paul. After shooting their way to a top ten offensive rating of all time last season, they find themselves out of this season's top 10, at 11th so far. While on the surface 11th doesn't seem like anything to be disappointed in, when you compare offensive ratings between this year and last, you will see a difference of 6.7 points. That's about the same difference between last year's Warriors and Hornets. So this brings forth the question, is there systemic or personnel issues leading to this drop off, or is it just early season noise?
2017-18 Houston Rockets Season Preview
After a newsworthy summer, the Houston Rockets look to be one of the more interesting teams heading into the 2017-18 NBA season. With new acquisitions like Chris Paul, PJ Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Tarik Black, the Rockets made headlines all summer in their endless pursuit of their 3rd NBA title which would mean knocking off the dynastic Golden State Warriors.
With all this excitement we, the staff at Red Nation Hoops, thought we'd preview the season together. Normally, a conventional season preview consists of one person detailing all aspects of a particular roster as they try to project what the upcoming year is going to look like. We've done that before, but this year we thought we'd do it a little different.
We asked the staff 5 compelling questions about the team to see what they'd say. Hope you enjoy.
How many games does this team win and what seed in the West do you see them getting?
Salman Ali: 54 wins as a 3rd seed.
So there's no confusion, let me explain my reasoning. The Rockets absolutely upgraded their roster talent significantly, but I think this team is better suited for the playoffs than the regular season. There are a couple of reasons for this:
Houston upped their playoff ceiling substantially, but I believe they win at mostly the same rate in the regular season. This team could totally win 60 games and blow this prediction out of the water. Such is life.
Jorge Flores: I believe the Rockets will win 60 games and finish with the second seed in the West. While 60 seems like a really high number, this Rockets team will have a ton of firepower and depth that should propel the Rockets to one of the highest records in the entire NBA.
Taylor Pate: The team will likely win around the same amount of games as last season (55). Although the overall talent on the team has increased tremendously, the West has improved so much that it's not going to be easy to win 60+ games. 55 wins will more than likely be the 2nd or 3rd seed.
Paul Michie-Derrick: 59 wins and the 2nd seed. Chris Paul and James Harden as a playmaking duo guarantees a great offense and, with the additions of PJ Tucker and Luc, they're set to be an elite defense.
Forrest Walker: This Rockets team should be really, really good. I’m picking them for 57 wins this year, despite the fact that I probably shouldn’t. This team has improved significantly over the summer, and they were a legitimate 55 win team last season. Sometimes it just boils down to that.
Joshua Lewis: With upgraded artillery courtesy of Daryl Morey, I see the Rockets going 58-24, good for the 2nd seed in the West. When James Harden was in full control last year, he vaulted the Rockets to a smooth 55-27 record. The addition of Chris Paul could only push the envelope harder. Efficiency, ball-movement, and defense are qualities that come with Paul, not to mention help from new wings PJ Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. There will always be a top 10 NBA player on the floor, so the sky’s the limit.
Matthew Cardenas: I'm thinking somewhere between 55 and 60 wins - it all depends on the first few weeks of the season. If it takes time for the group to gel, I would go with 55 or 56. They will probably end up with the 3rd seed, but with Kawhi Leonard's quad still lingering, the potential for a 2-seed is on the table.
Kyle Chilek: 58 wins and the 2nd seed. I think the only thing keeping them from 60 wins is health and rest. I believe they'll try to keep Chris Paul's minutes down and when he has to miss a few games, it's still to be determined if Isaiah Taylor or Bobby Brown can be a competent 3rd point guard.
Trent Arnold: 61 wins, second seed in the West. This may be a little high given the Rockets have to integrate a lot of new talent, but this team is deep. They have a strong ten man rotation and they've added guys that can contribute on both ends. They also have the versatility to play offensive and defensive lineups, which is something they didn't have last season. They were deep last year and they added more depth, while also adding Chris Paul.
How do you see the Harden/Paul pairing working out?
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Salman Ali: I'll be honest. Initially, the fit seemed odd to me. When Marc Stein first reported the Rockets were interested in Chris Paul (along with a bunch of other star players), it didn't seem like a natural pairing. I saw redundancy issues and it was hard to ignore that James Harden had just completed his best season at the point guard position.
However, the more I thought about it, the more I bought into the pairing. A lot of smart arguments were made about Harden and Paul's catch-and-shoot ability and Chris Paul is the antithesis of a 'Mike D'Antoni point guard'. What ultimately gives me reassurance that this will work is that the two stars sought this out themselves. The hardest part of making a pairing like this work is getting the buy-in, and that buy-in seems to be there at the start. I foresee some bumps (and frustrating losses) along the way, but I think the two will get it together by the All Star break.
Jorge Flores: I think this is a pairing that will ultimately be very deadly. Things could be really rocky at first, but let’s not forget that Paul WANTS to play with the Beard, that they played together with Team USA, and that the two have been playing pickup ball and holding mini-camps all offseason. All of that work will pay dividends – sooner rather than later.
Taylor Pate: I see Harden and Paul playing very well together. What we’ve seen from Harden is that he takes an offseason as an opportunity to address his flaws. The Beard has been atop the turnover board for two years now, and game six was…well, game six. Harden will give the reigns to Chris Paul. The Point God will temper all of James Harden’s biggest flaws, and this was all by design. The big test will be when things get tough. Harden has shown a tendency to fall back into his bad ways when the going gets tough. Chris Paul should be here to steer the ship straight during rough seas.
Paul Michie-Derrick: The pairing should work great. Both are great spot up shooters and all time high IQ players. If it doesn't work, it will be because of egos.
Forrest Walker: We’ll know more about this in a few weeks (once the season gets going), but the big two of Harden and Paul looks like it will shred opposing teams. They seem to have the will to make this work, and we know they have the talent. If they can set aside their egos, there’s no reason they can’t be the most unstoppable backcourt in the league, and that includes the current champs.
Joshua Lewis: The CP3-Beard marriage will be a beautiful sight to see. Not only are they completely unselfish with the ball, but they know how and when to take over a game with their scoring abilities. It’s an absolute luxury to have two top 5 guards on the same team, and it will prove to be perfect with a multitude of wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunities and brilliant lobs and back-door passes to Clint Capela and the wings. And when one floor general is having an off game, you got another one waiting to take over.
Matthew Cardenas: I think it is going to be a great duo. Harden finally has another playmaking point guard who can score on his own. This will bring out the best in Harden. He won't have to carry as much of a load. We'll see him play more off-ball as well, which he has experience in from his days in OKC. I won't be surprised to see Paul running the floor more with Harden getting catch-and-shoot opportunities or cuts. They seem to want to play together, which will make the fit easier.
Kyle Chilek: I think they'll it'll work out well because, most importantly, they want it to. Harden and Paul weren't thrown together by an opportunistic trade or signing, they made this pairing happen. They are also both capable of playing well off the ball as shooters, and as a cutter in Harden's case. From the way they have both answered questions during training camp, it appears that Harden is ready to make the sacrifice and play off the ball when the two share the floor.
Trent Arnold: I'm one of the bigger believers in the Harden/Paul pairing. Both guys have high IQ's and the skills to work on and off ball. D'Antoni committing to staggering their minutes also means it's very unlikely to fail. Each guy will get 15+ minutes a game of ball dominance at the PG and all they have to do is sacrifice and work off of each other in the other 15 minutes. Both of those guys attacking close outs as a secondary creator will be one of the toughest things to stop in the league this season.
What is the absolute ceiling for this team? And how can the Rockets reach that ceiling?
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Salman Ali: The ceiling for this team is 60+ wins and a competitive series against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. To get there, the Rockets need to come out of the gates clicking (which is totally plausible) and maintain a Top 10 defense throughout the season. This is going to be a difficult jump for the Rockets as they were 18th last year, but the new additions (Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Tarik Black) along with a career year from Clint Capela makes it possible.
Jorge Flores: The absolute ceiling for this team is an NBA Championship. Now, LET ME BE CLEAR, I do not think the Houston Rockets will be hoisting up the Larry O’Brien trophy come June 2018, but I don’t think it can be totally ruled out. You never know what could happen in a long NBA season. Injuries happen. Players regress. Chemistry takes a nosedive. An infinite number of variables are at play, and the Rockets are talented enough to take advantage of any opportunity they face.
Taylor Pate: The ceiling for this team is a championship. The Rockets can achieve that if the pairing between Harden and Paul works out to its potential, and if the defensive players the Rockets added are able to match up with the Warriors.
Paul Michie-Derrick: A team that wins 60+ games and takes a couple games from the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
Forrest Walker: The utter best this team can do is to win about 60 wins and the championship. This sounds outlandish, but there’s only one team they shouldn’t be able to beat. The chances that the Warriors miss the conference finals or the Rockets actually win that series are low, but they have as good a slim chance as anyone out there.
Joshua Lewis: The absolute ceiling for this team is giving the Warriors a 6-7 game series in the Western Conference Finals, while being considered the second best team in the league. The chemistry development for the team has been in the works since the summer started, and it’s only a matter of time before this team gets a chance to wreak havoc on the entire league. With high octane offense orchestrated by CP3 and James Harden, there is no way that anyone will be able to stop their music in motion. No team will be able to match the depth and versatility of the team’s personnel, with several guys including PJ Tucker, Eric Gordon, and Luc Mbah a Moute coming off the bench to incite some “dawg” into the Rockets game plan. There will always be open shots to make with the spread offense that’s set up, and each man has the character to make the physical sacrifices defensively to help this team win.
Matthew Cardenas: The ceiling for this team is the Conference Finals. If the Warriors were not this dominant, there is a chance the Rockets could get to the Finals. They can reach this ceiling through the new acquisitions, and I'm looking more at P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. We know Chris Paul is going to be just fine. Mbah a Moute and Tucker are going to be key to the Rockets having one of the best defenses in the league. They are going to get a lot of open looks from the perimeter as well. They will need to knock down those shots consistently.
Kyle Chilek: The ceiling would be somewhere around 63 wins and pushing Golden State to 6 games in the conference finals. The way they reach that is by having Harden and CP3 mesh as well as possible, establishing a defensive identity with their new pieces, and getting enough shooting out of Tucker to not be a liability on offense.
Trent Arnold: The team's upside is high, but just a tier below the Warriors. If everything goes well they can be the second best team in the league, or at least on par with the Cavaliers. To do so, they need development from Clint Capela on both ends and some defensive commitment from James Harden. If Paul and Harden gel perfectly, with very little redundancy, then the team can elevate even higher. It all comes down to whether or not they can be strong on both ends of the ball. They're almost guaranteed to be a top 5 offense, but the additions Mbah a Moute, Tucker, and Paul help on defense as well. However, to really cement themselves into the top ten, Capela's rim protection needs to improve, and so does Harden's defensive intensity as his offensive load becomes less burdened.
What is the floor? And what goes wrong for the Rockets to reach that point?
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Salman Ali: I have a hard time believing the Rockets don't win at least 45 games and make it to the playoffs just based on talent alone. Chris Paul and James Harden are enough to guarantee that. The Rockets would probably have had to have serious chemistry problems, injury troubles, or defensive issues to get to that point. All of these are totally on the table.
I think people are overlooking that this is kind of an aging roster. Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, PJ Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Nene Hilario are all 31 or older. Also, Ryan Anderson, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, and Nene Hilario have injury histories a mile long which is significant enough to give you some pause as to whether or not this team will be healthy all year.
Jorge Flores: I think this team’s floor is a low seed in the Playoffs (7th or 8th). The reason for this kind of position would be chemistry issues with Paul and Harden, but I don’t believe that could totally destroy the this team. Another reason would be the always lingering injury bug, but I believe the Rockets are deep enough to mitigate that a bit.
Taylor Pate: The floor is likely 48 games and losing home court advantage in the playoffs. This happens if Harden and Paul can’t get along or if one of them is injured.
Paul Michie-Derrick: Their floor is team in the 50-win range with good offense and solid defense.
Forrest Walker: If everything falls apart, the Rockets win 45 games and get pummeled by the Warriors in the first round. This would take a scenario where all the players hate each other and the whole enterprise is in flames, much like two years ago. That’s how much talent they have.
Joshua Lewis: The floor for this team is getting the 5th or 6th seed and exiting the playoffs in the first round. This team would make the playoffs with a middle seed based on depth and talent alone. However this would be a severe disappointment, as this would be another regression, reminiscent of the 2015-2016 clunker. Achieving just a 5th or 6th seed would mean that the Chris Paul/James Harden pairing did not work out, and the team is not meshing in the way that they should. Individual player talents would not be used to their full potential. Clint Capela would have shown no improvement, Ariza would have looked old, and Ryan Anderson would have been a defensive liability with absurdly streaky shooting. Eric Gordon and Nene Hilario would also probably have to deal with injury issues. Mbah a Moute and Tucker would have to prove to be offensive liabilities who also look old.
Matthew Cardenas: The floor is a first round exit. That will likely only happen if Chris Paul and James Harden do not gel as well as we expect. They have not played a real game together yet, so we do not know what to expect.
Kyle Chilek: The floor, assuming decent health, would be around 50 wins. The team has too much talent to fall below that. For that to happen, lineups with both Harden and Paul would have to be disappointing and Clint Capela would have to stagnate at the level he was last season.
Trent Arnold: The floor for the Rockets is probably 53 wins. Things may not go as well as last year, health wise and chemistry wise, but the depth and talent make it hard to see this team falling far below last year's tally.
What about this team are you most interested in seeing this year? (Could be under the radar or obvious)
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Salman Ali: I'm interested on seeing if the Rockets can actually attain a Top 5-10 defense this year. It's been all they've talked about in training camp and their additions reflect a serious interest in improving on that end of the floor. They also have the potential to throw out some really switchy lineups to counter the Warriors death lineup with all the wings they have (Ex: Chris Paul, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute, and PJ Tucker). D'Antoni will likely toy with these lineups all season.
Jorge Flores: Defense. Daryl Morey added some insane defensive depth this offseason. He replaced All-Defense first teamer Patrick Beverley with CHRIS FREAKING PAUL. As much as CP3 is an offensive mastermind, he laid a blueprint for Pat Bev to become the defensive pest he is. In addition to incumbent long-armed swingman Trevor Ariza, Morey brought over Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (teammate of Paul with the Clippers) and PJ Tucker to guard the opposing team's best players at various positions.
Taylor Pate: I’m most interested to see the versatile lineups that can be played. There are potentially elite defensive lineups to be had, and at the other end of the spectrum, unstoppable offensive lineups. There are situational combinations for nearly every scenario.
Paul Michie-Derrick: Will Clint Capela blossom into an All-Star level player?
Forrest Walker: I’m ready to watch the defense. Nationally, not many people are talking about the defensive improvements the team has made, but I’m over the moon about them. Their roster is long and versatile on defense, and I think they have every chance to be a top ten defense if they can gel relatively quickly.
Joshua Lewis: I’m interested to see D’Antoni’s crunch time lineups. We know Harden and Paul are going to be out there, but who else? There are so many combinations to choose from, and surely a lot of them will prove to be effective.
Here’s some off the top of my head:
Paul-Harden-Ariza-Ryno-Capela
Paul-Gordon-Harden-Tucker-Nene
Paul-Harden-Tucker-Ariza-Capela
Matthew Cardenas: I am excited to see Clint Capela’s continued growth. He is going to have a lot of lobs on the pick and roll from either Paul or Harden. I think it is possible he is in the running for Most Improved Player. His conditioning will need to improve, though. Right now, he can only play about 25 minutes a night. It would be nice to see that go up to 29 or 30.
Kyle Chilek: The thing I'm most excited for is the team being able to have an elite ball handler running the offense for all 48 minutes. I can't wait to see how Paul, or Harden, tear apart 2nd units.
Trent Arnold: I'm most interested to see a couple of things; how does Capela develop and can Harden continue his MVP form? Capela has said he's worked on his conditioning and hopes to play 28+ minutes a game. So if his per minute stats stack up, he should put up great numbers. If he improves on top of that, he could again be thrown around in MIP conversations. As far as Harden's MVP case is concerned, I don't think Chris Paul will take as many votes away as people say. If they win 60+ games and Harden drops 27/7/7 again, will CPs 18/9/4 steal votes? I don't think so.
With all this excitement we, the staff at Red Nation Hoops, thought we'd preview the season together. Normally, a conventional season preview consists of one person detailing all aspects of a particular roster as they try to project what the upcoming year is going to look like. We've done that before, but this year we thought we'd do it a little different.
We asked the staff 5 compelling questions about the team to see what they'd say. Hope you enjoy.
How many games does this team win and what seed in the West do you see them getting?
Salman Ali: 54 wins as a 3rd seed.
So there's no confusion, let me explain my reasoning. The Rockets absolutely upgraded their roster talent significantly, but I think this team is better suited for the playoffs than the regular season. There are a couple of reasons for this:
- The West got significantly better. The Rockets will lose more games simply because of this.
- It will take some time for the new parts (most notably Chris Paul) to get incorporated into the fold. Historically, it can take time to assimilate major talent (ex: first 10 games of 2010-11 Miami Heat).
Houston upped their playoff ceiling substantially, but I believe they win at mostly the same rate in the regular season. This team could totally win 60 games and blow this prediction out of the water. Such is life.
Jorge Flores: I believe the Rockets will win 60 games and finish with the second seed in the West. While 60 seems like a really high number, this Rockets team will have a ton of firepower and depth that should propel the Rockets to one of the highest records in the entire NBA.
Taylor Pate: The team will likely win around the same amount of games as last season (55). Although the overall talent on the team has increased tremendously, the West has improved so much that it's not going to be easy to win 60+ games. 55 wins will more than likely be the 2nd or 3rd seed.
Paul Michie-Derrick: 59 wins and the 2nd seed. Chris Paul and James Harden as a playmaking duo guarantees a great offense and, with the additions of PJ Tucker and Luc, they're set to be an elite defense.
Forrest Walker: This Rockets team should be really, really good. I’m picking them for 57 wins this year, despite the fact that I probably shouldn’t. This team has improved significantly over the summer, and they were a legitimate 55 win team last season. Sometimes it just boils down to that.
Joshua Lewis: With upgraded artillery courtesy of Daryl Morey, I see the Rockets going 58-24, good for the 2nd seed in the West. When James Harden was in full control last year, he vaulted the Rockets to a smooth 55-27 record. The addition of Chris Paul could only push the envelope harder. Efficiency, ball-movement, and defense are qualities that come with Paul, not to mention help from new wings PJ Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. There will always be a top 10 NBA player on the floor, so the sky’s the limit.
Matthew Cardenas: I'm thinking somewhere between 55 and 60 wins - it all depends on the first few weeks of the season. If it takes time for the group to gel, I would go with 55 or 56. They will probably end up with the 3rd seed, but with Kawhi Leonard's quad still lingering, the potential for a 2-seed is on the table.
Kyle Chilek: 58 wins and the 2nd seed. I think the only thing keeping them from 60 wins is health and rest. I believe they'll try to keep Chris Paul's minutes down and when he has to miss a few games, it's still to be determined if Isaiah Taylor or Bobby Brown can be a competent 3rd point guard.
Trent Arnold: 61 wins, second seed in the West. This may be a little high given the Rockets have to integrate a lot of new talent, but this team is deep. They have a strong ten man rotation and they've added guys that can contribute on both ends. They also have the versatility to play offensive and defensive lineups, which is something they didn't have last season. They were deep last year and they added more depth, while also adding Chris Paul.
How do you see the Harden/Paul pairing working out?
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Salman Ali: I'll be honest. Initially, the fit seemed odd to me. When Marc Stein first reported the Rockets were interested in Chris Paul (along with a bunch of other star players), it didn't seem like a natural pairing. I saw redundancy issues and it was hard to ignore that James Harden had just completed his best season at the point guard position.
However, the more I thought about it, the more I bought into the pairing. A lot of smart arguments were made about Harden and Paul's catch-and-shoot ability and Chris Paul is the antithesis of a 'Mike D'Antoni point guard'. What ultimately gives me reassurance that this will work is that the two stars sought this out themselves. The hardest part of making a pairing like this work is getting the buy-in, and that buy-in seems to be there at the start. I foresee some bumps (and frustrating losses) along the way, but I think the two will get it together by the All Star break.
Jorge Flores: I think this is a pairing that will ultimately be very deadly. Things could be really rocky at first, but let’s not forget that Paul WANTS to play with the Beard, that they played together with Team USA, and that the two have been playing pickup ball and holding mini-camps all offseason. All of that work will pay dividends – sooner rather than later.
Taylor Pate: I see Harden and Paul playing very well together. What we’ve seen from Harden is that he takes an offseason as an opportunity to address his flaws. The Beard has been atop the turnover board for two years now, and game six was…well, game six. Harden will give the reigns to Chris Paul. The Point God will temper all of James Harden’s biggest flaws, and this was all by design. The big test will be when things get tough. Harden has shown a tendency to fall back into his bad ways when the going gets tough. Chris Paul should be here to steer the ship straight during rough seas.
Paul Michie-Derrick: The pairing should work great. Both are great spot up shooters and all time high IQ players. If it doesn't work, it will be because of egos.
Forrest Walker: We’ll know more about this in a few weeks (once the season gets going), but the big two of Harden and Paul looks like it will shred opposing teams. They seem to have the will to make this work, and we know they have the talent. If they can set aside their egos, there’s no reason they can’t be the most unstoppable backcourt in the league, and that includes the current champs.
Joshua Lewis: The CP3-Beard marriage will be a beautiful sight to see. Not only are they completely unselfish with the ball, but they know how and when to take over a game with their scoring abilities. It’s an absolute luxury to have two top 5 guards on the same team, and it will prove to be perfect with a multitude of wide-open catch-and-shoot opportunities and brilliant lobs and back-door passes to Clint Capela and the wings. And when one floor general is having an off game, you got another one waiting to take over.
Matthew Cardenas: I think it is going to be a great duo. Harden finally has another playmaking point guard who can score on his own. This will bring out the best in Harden. He won't have to carry as much of a load. We'll see him play more off-ball as well, which he has experience in from his days in OKC. I won't be surprised to see Paul running the floor more with Harden getting catch-and-shoot opportunities or cuts. They seem to want to play together, which will make the fit easier.
Kyle Chilek: I think they'll it'll work out well because, most importantly, they want it to. Harden and Paul weren't thrown together by an opportunistic trade or signing, they made this pairing happen. They are also both capable of playing well off the ball as shooters, and as a cutter in Harden's case. From the way they have both answered questions during training camp, it appears that Harden is ready to make the sacrifice and play off the ball when the two share the floor.
Trent Arnold: I'm one of the bigger believers in the Harden/Paul pairing. Both guys have high IQ's and the skills to work on and off ball. D'Antoni committing to staggering their minutes also means it's very unlikely to fail. Each guy will get 15+ minutes a game of ball dominance at the PG and all they have to do is sacrifice and work off of each other in the other 15 minutes. Both of those guys attacking close outs as a secondary creator will be one of the toughest things to stop in the league this season.
What is the absolute ceiling for this team? And how can the Rockets reach that ceiling?
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Salman Ali: The ceiling for this team is 60+ wins and a competitive series against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. To get there, the Rockets need to come out of the gates clicking (which is totally plausible) and maintain a Top 10 defense throughout the season. This is going to be a difficult jump for the Rockets as they were 18th last year, but the new additions (Chris Paul, P.J. Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Tarik Black) along with a career year from Clint Capela makes it possible.
Jorge Flores: The absolute ceiling for this team is an NBA Championship. Now, LET ME BE CLEAR, I do not think the Houston Rockets will be hoisting up the Larry O’Brien trophy come June 2018, but I don’t think it can be totally ruled out. You never know what could happen in a long NBA season. Injuries happen. Players regress. Chemistry takes a nosedive. An infinite number of variables are at play, and the Rockets are talented enough to take advantage of any opportunity they face.
Taylor Pate: The ceiling for this team is a championship. The Rockets can achieve that if the pairing between Harden and Paul works out to its potential, and if the defensive players the Rockets added are able to match up with the Warriors.
Paul Michie-Derrick: A team that wins 60+ games and takes a couple games from the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
Forrest Walker: The utter best this team can do is to win about 60 wins and the championship. This sounds outlandish, but there’s only one team they shouldn’t be able to beat. The chances that the Warriors miss the conference finals or the Rockets actually win that series are low, but they have as good a slim chance as anyone out there.
Joshua Lewis: The absolute ceiling for this team is giving the Warriors a 6-7 game series in the Western Conference Finals, while being considered the second best team in the league. The chemistry development for the team has been in the works since the summer started, and it’s only a matter of time before this team gets a chance to wreak havoc on the entire league. With high octane offense orchestrated by CP3 and James Harden, there is no way that anyone will be able to stop their music in motion. No team will be able to match the depth and versatility of the team’s personnel, with several guys including PJ Tucker, Eric Gordon, and Luc Mbah a Moute coming off the bench to incite some “dawg” into the Rockets game plan. There will always be open shots to make with the spread offense that’s set up, and each man has the character to make the physical sacrifices defensively to help this team win.
Matthew Cardenas: The ceiling for this team is the Conference Finals. If the Warriors were not this dominant, there is a chance the Rockets could get to the Finals. They can reach this ceiling through the new acquisitions, and I'm looking more at P.J. Tucker and Luc Mbah a Moute. We know Chris Paul is going to be just fine. Mbah a Moute and Tucker are going to be key to the Rockets having one of the best defenses in the league. They are going to get a lot of open looks from the perimeter as well. They will need to knock down those shots consistently.
Kyle Chilek: The ceiling would be somewhere around 63 wins and pushing Golden State to 6 games in the conference finals. The way they reach that is by having Harden and CP3 mesh as well as possible, establishing a defensive identity with their new pieces, and getting enough shooting out of Tucker to not be a liability on offense.
Trent Arnold: The team's upside is high, but just a tier below the Warriors. If everything goes well they can be the second best team in the league, or at least on par with the Cavaliers. To do so, they need development from Clint Capela on both ends and some defensive commitment from James Harden. If Paul and Harden gel perfectly, with very little redundancy, then the team can elevate even higher. It all comes down to whether or not they can be strong on both ends of the ball. They're almost guaranteed to be a top 5 offense, but the additions Mbah a Moute, Tucker, and Paul help on defense as well. However, to really cement themselves into the top ten, Capela's rim protection needs to improve, and so does Harden's defensive intensity as his offensive load becomes less burdened.
What is the floor? And what goes wrong for the Rockets to reach that point?
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Salman Ali: I have a hard time believing the Rockets don't win at least 45 games and make it to the playoffs just based on talent alone. Chris Paul and James Harden are enough to guarantee that. The Rockets would probably have had to have serious chemistry problems, injury troubles, or defensive issues to get to that point. All of these are totally on the table.
I think people are overlooking that this is kind of an aging roster. Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, PJ Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, and Nene Hilario are all 31 or older. Also, Ryan Anderson, Chris Paul, Eric Gordon, and Nene Hilario have injury histories a mile long which is significant enough to give you some pause as to whether or not this team will be healthy all year.
Jorge Flores: I think this team’s floor is a low seed in the Playoffs (7th or 8th). The reason for this kind of position would be chemistry issues with Paul and Harden, but I don’t believe that could totally destroy the this team. Another reason would be the always lingering injury bug, but I believe the Rockets are deep enough to mitigate that a bit.
Taylor Pate: The floor is likely 48 games and losing home court advantage in the playoffs. This happens if Harden and Paul can’t get along or if one of them is injured.
Paul Michie-Derrick: Their floor is team in the 50-win range with good offense and solid defense.
Forrest Walker: If everything falls apart, the Rockets win 45 games and get pummeled by the Warriors in the first round. This would take a scenario where all the players hate each other and the whole enterprise is in flames, much like two years ago. That’s how much talent they have.
Joshua Lewis: The floor for this team is getting the 5th or 6th seed and exiting the playoffs in the first round. This team would make the playoffs with a middle seed based on depth and talent alone. However this would be a severe disappointment, as this would be another regression, reminiscent of the 2015-2016 clunker. Achieving just a 5th or 6th seed would mean that the Chris Paul/James Harden pairing did not work out, and the team is not meshing in the way that they should. Individual player talents would not be used to their full potential. Clint Capela would have shown no improvement, Ariza would have looked old, and Ryan Anderson would have been a defensive liability with absurdly streaky shooting. Eric Gordon and Nene Hilario would also probably have to deal with injury issues. Mbah a Moute and Tucker would have to prove to be offensive liabilities who also look old.
Matthew Cardenas: The floor is a first round exit. That will likely only happen if Chris Paul and James Harden do not gel as well as we expect. They have not played a real game together yet, so we do not know what to expect.
Kyle Chilek: The floor, assuming decent health, would be around 50 wins. The team has too much talent to fall below that. For that to happen, lineups with both Harden and Paul would have to be disappointing and Clint Capela would have to stagnate at the level he was last season.
Trent Arnold: The floor for the Rockets is probably 53 wins. Things may not go as well as last year, health wise and chemistry wise, but the depth and talent make it hard to see this team falling far below last year's tally.
What about this team are you most interested in seeing this year? (Could be under the radar or obvious)
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Salman Ali: I'm interested on seeing if the Rockets can actually attain a Top 5-10 defense this year. It's been all they've talked about in training camp and their additions reflect a serious interest in improving on that end of the floor. They also have the potential to throw out some really switchy lineups to counter the Warriors death lineup with all the wings they have (Ex: Chris Paul, James Harden, Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah a Moute, and PJ Tucker). D'Antoni will likely toy with these lineups all season.
Jorge Flores: Defense. Daryl Morey added some insane defensive depth this offseason. He replaced All-Defense first teamer Patrick Beverley with CHRIS FREAKING PAUL. As much as CP3 is an offensive mastermind, he laid a blueprint for Pat Bev to become the defensive pest he is. In addition to incumbent long-armed swingman Trevor Ariza, Morey brought over Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (teammate of Paul with the Clippers) and PJ Tucker to guard the opposing team's best players at various positions.
Taylor Pate: I’m most interested to see the versatile lineups that can be played. There are potentially elite defensive lineups to be had, and at the other end of the spectrum, unstoppable offensive lineups. There are situational combinations for nearly every scenario.
Paul Michie-Derrick: Will Clint Capela blossom into an All-Star level player?
Forrest Walker: I’m ready to watch the defense. Nationally, not many people are talking about the defensive improvements the team has made, but I’m over the moon about them. Their roster is long and versatile on defense, and I think they have every chance to be a top ten defense if they can gel relatively quickly.
Joshua Lewis: I’m interested to see D’Antoni’s crunch time lineups. We know Harden and Paul are going to be out there, but who else? There are so many combinations to choose from, and surely a lot of them will prove to be effective.
Here’s some off the top of my head:
Paul-Harden-Ariza-Ryno-Capela
Paul-Gordon-Harden-Tucker-Nene
Paul-Harden-Tucker-Ariza-Capela
Matthew Cardenas: I am excited to see Clint Capela’s continued growth. He is going to have a lot of lobs on the pick and roll from either Paul or Harden. I think it is possible he is in the running for Most Improved Player. His conditioning will need to improve, though. Right now, he can only play about 25 minutes a night. It would be nice to see that go up to 29 or 30.
Kyle Chilek: The thing I'm most excited for is the team being able to have an elite ball handler running the offense for all 48 minutes. I can't wait to see how Paul, or Harden, tear apart 2nd units.
Trent Arnold: I'm most interested to see a couple of things; how does Capela develop and can Harden continue his MVP form? Capela has said he's worked on his conditioning and hopes to play 28+ minutes a game. So if his per minute stats stack up, he should put up great numbers. If he improves on top of that, he could again be thrown around in MIP conversations. As far as Harden's MVP case is concerned, I don't think Chris Paul will take as many votes away as people say. If they win 60+ games and Harden drops 27/7/7 again, will CPs 18/9/4 steal votes? I don't think so.
Multiple Rockets Win at NBA Awards Show
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The Houston Rockets had their fingerprints all over the first annual NBA Awards Show on Monday night, having been nominated for several traditional and newly introduced fan-voted awards. At the end of the day, the Rockets laid claim to three separate awards…
In his first year as head coach of the Rockets, Mike D’Antoni made a drastic move by naming James Harden the full-time point guard. With a playmaker like Harden, D’Antoni could implement elements of his ‘Seven Seconds or Less’ offense – an offense that helped D’Antoni win Coach of the Year for the first time back in 2005. After being somewhat exiled from the NBA following failed coaching stints in Los Angeles and New York, D’Antoni’s efficient and explosive Rockets won 55 games (a 14-game improvement from the previous season) and completely flipped the narrative surrounding the team.
Eric Gordon – another first-year Rocket – won the Sixth Man of the Year Award by making contributions of 16 points per game on 40% shooting (37% from behind the three-point line). Perhaps a more important stat for 'Splash Gordon' is that he played 75 games this past season, the most since his rookie campaign in 2008-2009 (78). Gordon’s injury history was a major concern coming into the season, but his reduced role as a secondary scorer and playmaker allowed him to flourish in D’Antoni’s offense. He even won this year's Three-Point Shooting Contest during All-Star Weekend.
Finally, Patrick Beverley was named the recipient of the NBA’s first ever Hustle Award. Beverley’s pesky defense and all-out hustle on both sides of the floor has earned the admiration and love of Rockets fans, but this season was somewhat of a breakout year for him nationally – at least, in a positive light. Per game, Pat averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 assists, and a very impressive 5.9 rebounds. Also, Beverley was named to the All-Defense First Team for the first time in his career – an achievement he has strived for throughout his NBA career.
James Harden was famously in the running for the 2016-2017 Most Valuable Player Award, but ultimately finished the race in second place. As somewhat of a consolation prize, however, Harden was the only player to be unanimously voted to the All-NBA First Team.
The Houston Rockets had a massive turnaround after a disastrous 2015-2016, and that turnaround (on and off the floor) was validated with these awards and nominations. In fact, this season saw the Rockets win an award for the first time since Aaron Brooks won Most Improved Player following the 2009-2010 season. You can check out Red Nation Hoops’ cases for why Mike D’Antoni and Eric Gordon deserved their awards here and here, respectively.
The Houston Rockets had their fingerprints all over the first annual NBA Awards Show on Monday night, having been nominated for several traditional and newly introduced fan-voted awards. At the end of the day, the Rockets laid claim to three separate awards…
✔️ Coach of the Year
RT to congratulate Coach D’Antoni! #NBAAwards
Details » https://t.co/7VqOHLZJwV pic.twitter.com/XOu0gkLSjl
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 27, 2017
In his first year as head coach of the Rockets, Mike D’Antoni made a drastic move by naming James Harden the full-time point guard. With a playmaker like Harden, D’Antoni could implement elements of his ‘Seven Seconds or Less’ offense – an offense that helped D’Antoni win Coach of the Year for the first time back in 2005. After being somewhat exiled from the NBA following failed coaching stints in Los Angeles and New York, D’Antoni’s efficient and explosive Rockets won 55 games (a 14-game improvement from the previous season) and completely flipped the narrative surrounding the team.
.@TheofficialEG10 is your #NBA Sixth Man of the Year! #NBAAwards
Details » https://t.co/Hw0KT2s3JV pic.twitter.com/tPR7wp9qsD
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) June 27, 2017
Eric Gordon – another first-year Rocket – won the Sixth Man of the Year Award by making contributions of 16 points per game on 40% shooting (37% from behind the three-point line). Perhaps a more important stat for 'Splash Gordon' is that he played 75 games this past season, the most since his rookie campaign in 2008-2009 (78). Gordon’s injury history was a major concern coming into the season, but his reduced role as a secondary scorer and playmaker allowed him to flourish in D’Antoni’s offense. He even won this year's Three-Point Shooting Contest during All-Star Weekend.
Patrick Beverley is the recipient of the 2016-17 NBA Hustle Award! #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/cmW51GINGy
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) June 27, 2017
Finally, Patrick Beverley was named the recipient of the NBA’s first ever Hustle Award. Beverley’s pesky defense and all-out hustle on both sides of the floor has earned the admiration and love of Rockets fans, but this season was somewhat of a breakout year for him nationally – at least, in a positive light. Per game, Pat averaged 9.5 points, 4.2 assists, and a very impressive 5.9 rebounds. Also, Beverley was named to the All-Defense First Team for the first time in his career – an achievement he has strived for throughout his NBA career.
James Harden was famously in the running for the 2016-2017 Most Valuable Player Award, but ultimately finished the race in second place. As somewhat of a consolation prize, however, Harden was the only player to be unanimously voted to the All-NBA First Team.
The Houston Rockets had a massive turnaround after a disastrous 2015-2016, and that turnaround (on and off the floor) was validated with these awards and nominations. In fact, this season saw the Rockets win an award for the first time since Aaron Brooks won Most Improved Player following the 2009-2010 season. You can check out Red Nation Hoops’ cases for why Mike D’Antoni and Eric Gordon deserved their awards here and here, respectively.
Report: Nene out for Playoffs with Left Adductor Tear
The Rockets have announced that center Nene will miss the remainder of the playoffs after suffering a left adductor tear. The injury took place in Sunday night’s Game 4 win over the Spurs. He was averaging 10.0 PPG and 4.6 RPG this postseason.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/861610645116026881
This injury really hurts the Rockets going forward. Throughout the season, he showed that he was the one of the biggest steals of free agency. He had a bounce in his game and played a lot younger than his age. He even had a game in the series against the Thunder where he went 12-12 from the field with 28 points and 10 rebounds. His veteran leadership and experience was key to the success of the Rockets in the regular season and has shown during their playoff run.
Nene will be missed especially on the offensive end. He worked well with James Harden in the pick and roll and finished well at the rim. He was also able to hit the mid range jumper occasionally. His effort and rebounding also gave the Rockets energy.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see what Mike D’Antoni decides to do at the center position. In Sunday night’s game, we saw him put Ryan Anderson as the backup center and move Eric Gordon into the starting lineup to start the 2nd half. He has been hesitant on playing the younger big men, most notably Montrezl Harrell. But at this point, he might have to see some playing time. His athleticism could be a nightmare for the Spurs’ big men, as Harrell does a nice job of running the court in transition.
All in all, Nene’s impact will be missed. But, the Rockets are capable of filling the void with their young, athletic big men.
https://twitter.com/HoustonRockets/status/861610645116026881
This injury really hurts the Rockets going forward. Throughout the season, he showed that he was the one of the biggest steals of free agency. He had a bounce in his game and played a lot younger than his age. He even had a game in the series against the Thunder where he went 12-12 from the field with 28 points and 10 rebounds. His veteran leadership and experience was key to the success of the Rockets in the regular season and has shown during their playoff run.
Nene will be missed especially on the offensive end. He worked well with James Harden in the pick and roll and finished well at the rim. He was also able to hit the mid range jumper occasionally. His effort and rebounding also gave the Rockets energy.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see what Mike D’Antoni decides to do at the center position. In Sunday night’s game, we saw him put Ryan Anderson as the backup center and move Eric Gordon into the starting lineup to start the 2nd half. He has been hesitant on playing the younger big men, most notably Montrezl Harrell. But at this point, he might have to see some playing time. His athleticism could be a nightmare for the Spurs’ big men, as Harrell does a nice job of running the court in transition.
All in all, Nene’s impact will be missed. But, the Rockets are capable of filling the void with their young, athletic big men.
The Case for Mike D'Antoni: Coach of the Year
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It’s April 1st and the Rockets currently sit at 51-24, good for third in the Western Conference (and overall). The Rockets have all but secured the 3-seed and home court advantage in the first round. But how did they get there?
Prior to the season, the general consensus was that the Rockets would struggle to finish with a .500 or better record, and likely could miss the playoffs altogether. The pairing of James Harden and newly appointed head coach Mike D’Antoni was met with “Hm, interesting.” and not “Wow, that’s really a great move.”
The skepticism wasn’t unreasonable. D’Antoni had coached 2 ball-dominant players prior in Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant, both ended with D’Antoni resigning from his duties. Both tarnished the legacy he had made in Phoenix. Nevertheless, the Rockets have found great success under the head coach formerly known as Pringles, and D’Antoni is a favorable, if not leading, candidate for Coach of the Year. Here’s his case:
Generally speaking, the bar for Coach of the Year is set at 50 wins, as 14 of the last 15 winners have reached that mark. It may be that 50 wins is a nice, round number that looks good, and it may be that 50 wins typically means you are a top 4 seed and have home court advantage. Either way, this one’s in the books for the Rockets.
Next, previous winners seem to be coaching teams that exceed expectations or do something out of the ordinary. The Rockets were projected by most media outlets to win about 41 games. In fact, “Vegas” set the over-under at 41.5, which is the equivalent of a coin flip. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, and Nene were seen as marginal players were brought into the team that just lost Dwight Howard. There were questions about Clint Capela being a full time center, and the biggest question of all was “Can James Harden get along with Mike D’Antoni?”
This far into the season, the answer to that question is a definitive yes. The chemistry that the two share is something that’s not often found. At one point, Harden even called his head coach his “best friend”. Not only has their chemistry been great, the on-court product is showing it. The Rockets currently have the 2nd highest offensive rating in the NBA, and they’re hovering around the middle of the pack in defensive rating at 17th. Under D’Antoni, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points while also assisting for 2,000 points. The coach has unlocked a new level of James Harden’s game and the result is The Bearded One being a frontrunner for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.
Beyond that, the team has shown an absolute turnaround in attitude from a season ago. There are no heads hanging after a missed shot. There are no players quitting when the team is down. As a matter of fact, several team members have said that the biggest thing they’ve taken from D’Antoni is to shoot your shot, and if you miss it, shoot it the next time it comes to you. The coach’s calm, cool, collected temperament acts as a buoy in the water, keeping the team always afloat. He’s the type of coach that a superstar like James Harden needs and he has the Rockets far exceeding any expectations for the team.
If none of that is enough, the Rockets are revolutionizing the way basketball is played. This isn’t the first time D’Antoni has done this. His Suns are the reason basketball is played at the pace it currently is. His Rockets are doing things that have never been done. They’re attempting more 3-point field goals than any team in history, and they’re making them. The Rockets recently broke the record for most 3-pointers in a season, with a handful of games to go. They are taking nearly seven more 3-point attempts than the next highest team, and they’re connecting on more than 14 per game.
One might posit that the Rockets don’t have an interior game based on these stats, but the Rockets actually rank 2nd in field-goal percentage from inside the arc. They aren’t taking a ton of shots there, but they’re making them.
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You could realistically give San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich the award every year. He’s coached a team that lost potentially the greatest power forward of all time in Tim Duncan to what will be another 60-win season. But has he really exceeded expectations? He’s got continuity within his roster, a superstar of his own, and a supporting cast that is tailored to his coaching skill set. Pop is the 10-year old server that’s still running Windows 98 in a closet somewhere that never goes down or gives you any trouble.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has turned around his team after an 11-30 start. The team now sits at 37-39, and the seventh seed in the playoffs. But there hasn’t been a Coach of the Year winner since 1966 that finished under .500, and since 1980, only two winners coached their team to less than 45 wins. Yes, the HEAT have exceeded early season expectations and have been a great story, but history would suggest that the coach down in South Beach will not be taking home the award.
What seems to be D’Antoni’s biggest competition comes from the District of Columbia. Brooks had a rocky start with the Wizards, who were 7-13 in their first 20 games, but has his team playing some of the best basketball in the league right now. He’s made John Wall even better, created a budding star in Otto Porter, and has his team on track for a potential 50-win season.
Why D’Antoni over the field?
The Rockets have the combination of wins, the story, and exceeding expectations. Mike D’Antoni came into a situation that could have been volatile and made it stunning. The Rockets have one of the best offenses in NBA history and they’re doing it in a revolutionary way. Mike D’Antoni has reinvented the wheel, again. Many NBA minds believe the Rockets are one of the only teams capable of knocking the Warriors off in the playoffs, which speaks to the level of play that D’Antoni has the Rockets playing at.
It’s April 1st and the Rockets currently sit at 51-24, good for third in the Western Conference (and overall). The Rockets have all but secured the 3-seed and home court advantage in the first round. But how did they get there?
Prior to the season, the general consensus was that the Rockets would struggle to finish with a .500 or better record, and likely could miss the playoffs altogether. The pairing of James Harden and newly appointed head coach Mike D’Antoni was met with “Hm, interesting.” and not “Wow, that’s really a great move.”
The skepticism wasn’t unreasonable. D’Antoni had coached 2 ball-dominant players prior in Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant, both ended with D’Antoni resigning from his duties. Both tarnished the legacy he had made in Phoenix. Nevertheless, the Rockets have found great success under the head coach formerly known as Pringles, and D’Antoni is a favorable, if not leading, candidate for Coach of the Year. Here’s his case:
Generally speaking, the bar for Coach of the Year is set at 50 wins, as 14 of the last 15 winners have reached that mark. It may be that 50 wins is a nice, round number that looks good, and it may be that 50 wins typically means you are a top 4 seed and have home court advantage. Either way, this one’s in the books for the Rockets.
Next, previous winners seem to be coaching teams that exceed expectations or do something out of the ordinary. The Rockets were projected by most media outlets to win about 41 games. In fact, “Vegas” set the over-under at 41.5, which is the equivalent of a coin flip. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, and Nene were seen as marginal players were brought into the team that just lost Dwight Howard. There were questions about Clint Capela being a full time center, and the biggest question of all was “Can James Harden get along with Mike D’Antoni?”
This far into the season, the answer to that question is a definitive yes. The chemistry that the two share is something that’s not often found. At one point, Harden even called his head coach his “best friend”. Not only has their chemistry been great, the on-court product is showing it. The Rockets currently have the 2nd highest offensive rating in the NBA, and they’re hovering around the middle of the pack in defensive rating at 17th. Under D’Antoni, James Harden became the first player in NBA history to score 2,000 points while also assisting for 2,000 points. The coach has unlocked a new level of James Harden’s game and the result is The Bearded One being a frontrunner for the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award.
Beyond that, the team has shown an absolute turnaround in attitude from a season ago. There are no heads hanging after a missed shot. There are no players quitting when the team is down. As a matter of fact, several team members have said that the biggest thing they’ve taken from D’Antoni is to shoot your shot, and if you miss it, shoot it the next time it comes to you. The coach’s calm, cool, collected temperament acts as a buoy in the water, keeping the team always afloat. He’s the type of coach that a superstar like James Harden needs and he has the Rockets far exceeding any expectations for the team.
If none of that is enough, the Rockets are revolutionizing the way basketball is played. This isn’t the first time D’Antoni has done this. His Suns are the reason basketball is played at the pace it currently is. His Rockets are doing things that have never been done. They’re attempting more 3-point field goals than any team in history, and they’re making them. The Rockets recently broke the record for most 3-pointers in a season, with a handful of games to go. They are taking nearly seven more 3-point attempts than the next highest team, and they’re connecting on more than 14 per game.
One might posit that the Rockets don’t have an interior game based on these stats, but the Rockets actually rank 2nd in field-goal percentage from inside the arc. They aren’t taking a ton of shots there, but they’re making them.
[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/577993574[/embed]
You could realistically give San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich the award every year. He’s coached a team that lost potentially the greatest power forward of all time in Tim Duncan to what will be another 60-win season. But has he really exceeded expectations? He’s got continuity within his roster, a superstar of his own, and a supporting cast that is tailored to his coaching skill set. Pop is the 10-year old server that’s still running Windows 98 in a closet somewhere that never goes down or gives you any trouble.
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has turned around his team after an 11-30 start. The team now sits at 37-39, and the seventh seed in the playoffs. But there hasn’t been a Coach of the Year winner since 1966 that finished under .500, and since 1980, only two winners coached their team to less than 45 wins. Yes, the HEAT have exceeded early season expectations and have been a great story, but history would suggest that the coach down in South Beach will not be taking home the award.
What seems to be D’Antoni’s biggest competition comes from the District of Columbia. Brooks had a rocky start with the Wizards, who were 7-13 in their first 20 games, but has his team playing some of the best basketball in the league right now. He’s made John Wall even better, created a budding star in Otto Porter, and has his team on track for a potential 50-win season.
Why D’Antoni over the field?
The Rockets have the combination of wins, the story, and exceeding expectations. Mike D’Antoni came into a situation that could have been volatile and made it stunning. The Rockets have one of the best offenses in NBA history and they’re doing it in a revolutionary way. Mike D’Antoni has reinvented the wheel, again. Many NBA minds believe the Rockets are one of the only teams capable of knocking the Warriors off in the playoffs, which speaks to the level of play that D’Antoni has the Rockets playing at.
Houston Rockets: A Change in Philosophy?
The NBA is hard.
Building a championship team from scratch is difficult enough, but it gets even harder if you have a mandate from ownership against bottoming out and targeting high draft picks. However, Daryl Morey, GM of the Houston Rockets, managed to do that via the James Harden trade and acquisition of Dwight Howard back in 2012. This isn't news. What might be, is Daryl's change in perspective in regards to team building.
For years, Morey's been a guy that's preached star power in regards to team building. Here's a quote from him directly after acquiring James Harden:
"You have to have a foundational player," Morey said. "He (James Harden" is. Simple as that. Now we need to add another player or have one of our current players develop. You need two All-Stars to win in this league. We're not there yet. But he changes the whole dynamic."
Here's Morey from when he finally landed that 2nd All-Star caliber player in Dwight Howard:
"I think it absolutely gives us a chance," he said. "What you do this job for is to have a chance. The reality is five to seven teams have a chance any given year. The way it is in this league, you've got to have multiple All-Stars, you generally have to have dominant top players and we have two guys that we think are in the top 10 in the league in James and Dwight."
If you dig even deeper, you'll find a dozen more quotes similar to this.
The Rockets, and Daryl Morey especially, have always been an organization that chases stars. Daryl's claimed on multiple occasions, that stars are what win in this league and historically, he's absolutely correct. Just look at the past NBA champions and chances are most were built on at least 2, if not 3 All-Star caliber players.
However, the Rockets have drastically changed their behavior within the last 8 months to suggest that they've perhaps delineated from this once highly sought after two-star model. After hiring offensive guru Mike D'Antoni and effectively choosing to let All-Star big man Dwight Howard walk in free agency, the Rockets swifty chose to go out and head in an entirely new direction.
The Rockets spent about $135 million in salary this summer and not one dollar went to a player that had previously made an All-Star team. And yet, Houston is on pace to win 55-60 games this season with the 3rd seed in the Western Conference after winning just 41 games last season and barely making the playoffs.
It shocked the NBA to it's core when Daryl Morey when out and signed guys like Eric Gordon ($53 million/4 years) and Ryan Anderson ($80 million/4 years) to the contracts they got. The Rockets have always been an organization to find the stars first and round out the roster with affordable role players all while maintaining cap flexibility. These didn't feel like traditional "Daryl Morey moves".
These moves marked a giant shift in the organization's philosophy in regards to team building.
It was originally thought that perhaps Daryl Morey was making these moves under duress as it had been reported that owner Leslie Alexander had taken on an increased role in basketball operations. While it may be true, it could also be true that perhaps Daryl had changed his entire thinking when it came to constructing the roster around superstar James Harden. After all, these were all players Morey had previously targeted.
New Orleans has shown strong interest in acquiring Rockets center Omer Asik, w/ an offer likely centered on Ryan Anderson, sources tell Y!
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) July 6, 2013
Restricted Free Agent Latest: Houston Rockets scheduled to host Hornets' Eric Gordon for a visit today at the Toyota Center
— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) July 1, 2012
It's entirely possible that Morey had valued the shooting and floor spacing of Anderson and Gordon enough to be willing to pay a premium for it, and it's clearly paid off so far.
What really confirmed Morey's ideological shift in team building is when the Rockets acquired Lou Williams at the trade deadline for the price of their 2017 1st rounder and Corey Brewer.
The Rockets clearly believe they can win this year. And not just a nice playoff run, the entire championship. If the move for Lou didn't confirm it enough, Daryl's comments after the trade deadline was more than enough proof that the organization won't be scared away by Golden State.
Daryl Morey on the Lou Williams trade and what it does for all the looks on the floor #rockets50 pic.twitter.com/04fGrielzx
— David Nuño (@DavidNunoABC13) February 24, 2017
"We figured our chance to beat Golden State was to send them a barrage of 3-Pointers."
This is Morey's first time addressing the Warriors directly this season and the conviction in which he said it tells you he thinks this team is ready to contend for a championship right now.
The approach with which Daryl Morey and the Rockets are taking is fascinating. With the Rockets already having their superstar in James Harden, surrounding him with ultra role players that fit his style of play makes a lot of sense. The Rockets have a nice balance of shooters for floor spacing, rim runners that keep defenses honest when running pick and roll, and shot creators that can make a play when the offense breaks down and Houston just needs a bucket.
That's all well and great, but has this one-star model ever worked before and can it work now?
Ironically, one of the couple teams to win a title like this in the last 25 years is the 1993-94 Houston Rockets.
This team followed a similar model to the present day Rockets in that they surrounded Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon with uber role players like Otis Thorpe, Kenny Smith, Vernon Maxwell, Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, etc... and built a scheme around Hakeem's strength's with shooters to spread the floor.
The other team that followed this model was the fairly recent 2011 Dallas Mavericks. While this team may be a little different than the 1993-94 Rockets in that they had Hall of Fame caliber players that surrounded their superstar (Dirk Nowitzki), these players were way past their primes at this point in their careers and had been relegated to being super role players (Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Jason Terry, Tyson Chandler, etc...).
These teams at their peaks were a treat to watch and while some (not me) argue they both may have caught lucky breaks (Michael Jordan's retirement, LeBron James' horrendous Finals performance, getting hot at the right time, etc...), it takes some luck to win a championship and these teams pounced on every opportunity given to them which is what made them so special. Also, the ability to craft a roster full of mega role players that fill holes and compliment their sole superstar isn't easy to do.
Although the Rockets have stayed flexible (for the most part) with the contracts they've doled out and cap space they've reserved, it's fairly clear that they've chosen a certain direction to take this roster. While it may not be as historically successful as the two to three All-Stars approach, it may just be the 2nd best thing.
RNH Exclusive: Interview with Rockets Forward Kyle Wiltjer
[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/459630388[/embed]
Houston Rockets rookie forward Kyle Wiltjer recently joined Red Nation Hoops for an exclusive interview.
Wiltjer, who went undrafted in 2016, signed with the Rockets on a free agent contract. In 12 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ D-League affiliate, Wiltjer has posted averages of 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and is shooting a blazing 39.4% on three-point attempts. He also brought us this great moment:
You signed with Houston as an undrafted free agent. When you got the initial call from the Rockets after the draft, what was that like?
“It was a whirlwind of emotions. You’re watching the draft, hoping you get drafted, and near the end...there’s a couple of teams that wanted to pick me. My agent said the Rockets didn’t have a pick, but they wanted to sign me. It was tough because I had to go undrafted, but I was more than thrilled that Houston wanted to bring me in because we thought that their style of play with D’Antoni coming in was perfect for the way I play. We held out those last couple of picks in the draft and then signed the deal with Houston. It was a very exciting moment, but I also understood at the same time it was just the beginning and a lot more had to happen for me to actually be a Rocket.”
The Rockets’ style of play really fits your skillset. What would you say is the biggest thing you’ve taken from Coach D’Antoni?
“Just being confident in your game and doing what you do. Whatever your role is, just do it to perfection, do it to the best of your ability. He’s never going to take you out for a missed shot...you just have to be in the right spot, play hard, and you’re going to be successful in this system. So for myself, it’s just shoot your shot and shoot when you’re open.”
Obviously Coach D’Antoni has had a big influence on you thus far, but what has it been like to go down and play in Rio Grande Valley with the Vipers? What has it been like to learn from some other coaches?
“It’s been great because the play pretty much the exact same way the Rockets do. The coaching staff was actually with us during Rockets training camp, so I’m familiar with all the faces. Going down there, it’s not as hard you’d think to just go right in there. The best thing I get from going down there is staying in great shape and staying ready because when I come up, I feel like I just played in a couple of games. It keeps you ready at all times.”
Who would you say has helped you the most with transitioning to the NBA lifestyle?
“Ryan Anderson is a guy who has really helped me out a lot. He’s a guy I look up to on the court. I get to learn from some veteran guys. He and Nene are the two bigs that have...kind of taken me under their wing on and off the court. Our team is filled with guys who look out for you.”
What’s something you’d like to add to your game? What could take you to the next level in your career?
“You know, the ability to get defensive rebounds, clean up the boards. That’s something I can always work on. Being one of the guys that’s always in the right place. I think watching our group, it’s all about team defense...continuing to learn on both ends of the floor.”
You’re well-known with the RNH Crew for your bench celebrations. What would you say has been the most fun moment of the season so far?
“When we came back at Minnesota. You know, we were struggling all game. Coach says ‘Hey, if we don’t hit this next shot, we’re gonna call it.’ Then we hit a couple shots, added some life, and we ended up coming back and winning the game.”
When you guys do get down in games like that, what’s the huddle like? Who are you guys looking at to turn things around?
“The one guy that gets us all going is Coach D’Antoni. His approach and his ability to be a leader, he’s very positive and having a coach at the reigns like that who’s positive and pushes us, it’s a nice balance. And obviously James [Harden] is a guy that always gets us going. I just try to be as positive as possible and get the guys going however I can.”
Houston Rockets rookie forward Kyle Wiltjer recently joined Red Nation Hoops for an exclusive interview.
Wiltjer, who went undrafted in 2016, signed with the Rockets on a free agent contract. In 12 games with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, the Rockets’ D-League affiliate, Wiltjer has posted averages of 20.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and is shooting a blazing 39.4% on three-point attempts. He also brought us this great moment:
Lmaoooo @kwiltj pic.twitter.com/XZW1bMb2xV
— Taylor Pate (@taylorlpate) December 15, 2016
You signed with Houston as an undrafted free agent. When you got the initial call from the Rockets after the draft, what was that like?
“It was a whirlwind of emotions. You’re watching the draft, hoping you get drafted, and near the end...there’s a couple of teams that wanted to pick me. My agent said the Rockets didn’t have a pick, but they wanted to sign me. It was tough because I had to go undrafted, but I was more than thrilled that Houston wanted to bring me in because we thought that their style of play with D’Antoni coming in was perfect for the way I play. We held out those last couple of picks in the draft and then signed the deal with Houston. It was a very exciting moment, but I also understood at the same time it was just the beginning and a lot more had to happen for me to actually be a Rocket.”
The Rockets’ style of play really fits your skillset. What would you say is the biggest thing you’ve taken from Coach D’Antoni?
“Just being confident in your game and doing what you do. Whatever your role is, just do it to perfection, do it to the best of your ability. He’s never going to take you out for a missed shot...you just have to be in the right spot, play hard, and you’re going to be successful in this system. So for myself, it’s just shoot your shot and shoot when you’re open.”
Obviously Coach D’Antoni has had a big influence on you thus far, but what has it been like to go down and play in Rio Grande Valley with the Vipers? What has it been like to learn from some other coaches?
“It’s been great because the play pretty much the exact same way the Rockets do. The coaching staff was actually with us during Rockets training camp, so I’m familiar with all the faces. Going down there, it’s not as hard you’d think to just go right in there. The best thing I get from going down there is staying in great shape and staying ready because when I come up, I feel like I just played in a couple of games. It keeps you ready at all times.”
Who would you say has helped you the most with transitioning to the NBA lifestyle?
“Ryan Anderson is a guy who has really helped me out a lot. He’s a guy I look up to on the court. I get to learn from some veteran guys. He and Nene are the two bigs that have...kind of taken me under their wing on and off the court. Our team is filled with guys who look out for you.”
What’s something you’d like to add to your game? What could take you to the next level in your career?
“You know, the ability to get defensive rebounds, clean up the boards. That’s something I can always work on. Being one of the guys that’s always in the right place. I think watching our group, it’s all about team defense...continuing to learn on both ends of the floor.”
You’re well-known with the RNH Crew for your bench celebrations. What would you say has been the most fun moment of the season so far?
“When we came back at Minnesota. You know, we were struggling all game. Coach says ‘Hey, if we don’t hit this next shot, we’re gonna call it.’ Then we hit a couple shots, added some life, and we ended up coming back and winning the game.”
When you guys do get down in games like that, what’s the huddle like? Who are you guys looking at to turn things around?
“The one guy that gets us all going is Coach D’Antoni. His approach and his ability to be a leader, he’s very positive and having a coach at the reigns like that who’s positive and pushes us, it’s a nice balance. And obviously James [Harden] is a guy that always gets us going. I just try to be as positive as possible and get the guys going however I can.”
The Rockets Need to Bottle this Lightning
[embed align="center"]http://gty.im/466114202[/embed]
The good news is that the Houston Rockets may have accomplished the hardest part of all this season. This year’s team is special not just for how many games they win, but for how they win them. James Harden, resident superstar and realistic MVP winner, has bought into head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, and the rest of the team is right there with him. The Rockets look engaged, resilient, and reliable on a night-to-night basis. This is what they call “culture.” The bad news, though, is that the next step is pretty hard, too. Now that they’ve coaxed lightning into striking, they have to bottle it.
Team culture is difficult to pin down. We know that it exists, and that it matters, because some teams thrive on it. At least half of the NBA is trying to write their own version of the formula for success the San Antonio Spurs follow. The difficulty is that in a league full of analytics and hard numbers, team culture can’t be measured in that way. It’s measured in interviews, decades of success, and respect from within and without the team. Over the long term, we know which teams have established a winning culture, and which ones haven’t. One the extremes, you can be the Spurs or you can be the Sacramento Kings. The problem is that it’s a lot easier to end up in Kings territory.
It’s no secret that general manager Daryl Morey and the Rockets organization have been trying to create their version of San Antonio’s success for years now. Pulling in a couple stars and getting a couple breaks can lead to a championship if one gets a little lucky and a lot bold. Establishing a positive culture and a team identity at the management level can lead to two decades of ceaseless relevance and myriad shots at a title. There is a point where analytics cannot do anything more to maintain a team, and that point was found by both the Miami Heat and Oklahoma CIty Thunder as their teams spiraled apart in the last several years.
All this is to say that the Rockets, with their analytic approach, are aware of the limits of those powers. Kevin McHale was brought on board to develop as a coach as he developed players, but was immediately thrust into the role of a win-now coach when James Harden suddenly fell into Houston’s lap. His tenure was cloaked in shadow from the outset, and while last season’s debacle of a season hastened his demise, he was already doomed. The gamble had failed, and he was not a culture fit with the team. This is not to say that he was a bad coach or that he even did anything wrong; he was just the wrong piece for the puzzle. In Mike D’Antoni, Morey and owner Les Alexander have found a kindred spirit. Equally importantly, that spirit is shared and strengthened by James Harden.
Much like McHale, Dwight Howard was doomed in Houston. He had all the physical gifts and skills necessary to grind the NBA into silt alongside James Harden, but by all accounts was either unable or unwilling to buy what Morey and Harden were selling. Just as McHale was rejected like a transplanted organ, Howard increasingly itched and ached in Houston until the stress was too much to bear. The brief period of oddly good defense but oddly bad offense has ended in Houston, ushering in something which not only works, but more importantly just feels right. This is a team that scores a lot of points, and their emergence offensively feels like a dreary cocoon exploding into the monarch butterfly it was always destined to be.
It would be a mistake to assume that every team needs to follow the Spurs model. Sustainable winning culture can take many forms, though a devotion to personal improvement and accountability certainly helps. D’Antoni isn’t Popovich, but what he had with Steve Nash in Phoenix certainly paid dividends, and what he has with James Harden can yield even more. It may be free-flowing and easy-going, but that style just might be exactly what the organization needs from the top down. In San Antonio, it took freak injuries to lead to a draft pick, and a lot of patience to lead to the head coach to pair with him. Houston has found chemistry between coach and star, will have a chance to lock both up for the rest of their careers, and the perfect opportunity to establish who this team will be in perpetuity.
It will, of course, be a hard road ahead. They have their map, finally, but they will have to trust it. If the team is to prosper, Harden, D’Antoni, Morey and Alexander will all have to trust one another, even when things look dire. Alexander has already shown his devotion to Morey, and in turn Morey has put his faith in Harden. If Harden and D’Antoni can create charisma and leadership in James Harden, that trust will be well-placed. It’s a big risk, but there’s no better path. If the team is to flourish long-term, Harden must be both the face of the franchise and the leader of the locker room. If he isn’t trusted to do so, there’s no chance he can.
The ongoing embarrassment of last season may have provided a crucible of fire in which to temper the strong parts of the team and Harden, and burn off the weak. The endless ridicule seems to have steeled the Rockets, and now they are playing in a fashion Houston fans have only dreamed of. They’ve stumbled into a winning culture, via a combination of patience, luck, and misfortune, the origin story of many winning organizations. The hardest part was getting lighting to strike. Now they have to do the merely hard part of bottling that up, before that chance disappears forever.
The good news is that the Houston Rockets may have accomplished the hardest part of all this season. This year’s team is special not just for how many games they win, but for how they win them. James Harden, resident superstar and realistic MVP winner, has bought into head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, and the rest of the team is right there with him. The Rockets look engaged, resilient, and reliable on a night-to-night basis. This is what they call “culture.” The bad news, though, is that the next step is pretty hard, too. Now that they’ve coaxed lightning into striking, they have to bottle it.
Team culture is difficult to pin down. We know that it exists, and that it matters, because some teams thrive on it. At least half of the NBA is trying to write their own version of the formula for success the San Antonio Spurs follow. The difficulty is that in a league full of analytics and hard numbers, team culture can’t be measured in that way. It’s measured in interviews, decades of success, and respect from within and without the team. Over the long term, we know which teams have established a winning culture, and which ones haven’t. One the extremes, you can be the Spurs or you can be the Sacramento Kings. The problem is that it’s a lot easier to end up in Kings territory.
It’s no secret that general manager Daryl Morey and the Rockets organization have been trying to create their version of San Antonio’s success for years now. Pulling in a couple stars and getting a couple breaks can lead to a championship if one gets a little lucky and a lot bold. Establishing a positive culture and a team identity at the management level can lead to two decades of ceaseless relevance and myriad shots at a title. There is a point where analytics cannot do anything more to maintain a team, and that point was found by both the Miami Heat and Oklahoma CIty Thunder as their teams spiraled apart in the last several years.
All this is to say that the Rockets, with their analytic approach, are aware of the limits of those powers. Kevin McHale was brought on board to develop as a coach as he developed players, but was immediately thrust into the role of a win-now coach when James Harden suddenly fell into Houston’s lap. His tenure was cloaked in shadow from the outset, and while last season’s debacle of a season hastened his demise, he was already doomed. The gamble had failed, and he was not a culture fit with the team. This is not to say that he was a bad coach or that he even did anything wrong; he was just the wrong piece for the puzzle. In Mike D’Antoni, Morey and owner Les Alexander have found a kindred spirit. Equally importantly, that spirit is shared and strengthened by James Harden.
Much like McHale, Dwight Howard was doomed in Houston. He had all the physical gifts and skills necessary to grind the NBA into silt alongside James Harden, but by all accounts was either unable or unwilling to buy what Morey and Harden were selling. Just as McHale was rejected like a transplanted organ, Howard increasingly itched and ached in Houston until the stress was too much to bear. The brief period of oddly good defense but oddly bad offense has ended in Houston, ushering in something which not only works, but more importantly just feels right. This is a team that scores a lot of points, and their emergence offensively feels like a dreary cocoon exploding into the monarch butterfly it was always destined to be.
It would be a mistake to assume that every team needs to follow the Spurs model. Sustainable winning culture can take many forms, though a devotion to personal improvement and accountability certainly helps. D’Antoni isn’t Popovich, but what he had with Steve Nash in Phoenix certainly paid dividends, and what he has with James Harden can yield even more. It may be free-flowing and easy-going, but that style just might be exactly what the organization needs from the top down. In San Antonio, it took freak injuries to lead to a draft pick, and a lot of patience to lead to the head coach to pair with him. Houston has found chemistry between coach and star, will have a chance to lock both up for the rest of their careers, and the perfect opportunity to establish who this team will be in perpetuity.
It will, of course, be a hard road ahead. They have their map, finally, but they will have to trust it. If the team is to prosper, Harden, D’Antoni, Morey and Alexander will all have to trust one another, even when things look dire. Alexander has already shown his devotion to Morey, and in turn Morey has put his faith in Harden. If Harden and D’Antoni can create charisma and leadership in James Harden, that trust will be well-placed. It’s a big risk, but there’s no better path. If the team is to flourish long-term, Harden must be both the face of the franchise and the leader of the locker room. If he isn’t trusted to do so, there’s no chance he can.
The ongoing embarrassment of last season may have provided a crucible of fire in which to temper the strong parts of the team and Harden, and burn off the weak. The endless ridicule seems to have steeled the Rockets, and now they are playing in a fashion Houston fans have only dreamed of. They’ve stumbled into a winning culture, via a combination of patience, luck, and misfortune, the origin story of many winning organizations. The hardest part was getting lighting to strike. Now they have to do the merely hard part of bottling that up, before that chance disappears forever.
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