Rockets Will Try and Run It Back, This Time… All the Way
The national media have too many teams to follow, they don’t have enough time to give the attention and focus that is required to recognize the Rockets’ true potential. This year’s team is going to be special. ESPN, TNT, the internet… they all really don’t understand the potential of this year’s Houston Rockets squad, which as I will explain, should be one of the best in the franchise’s storied history. As NBA history has proven in the past (sadly the most recent), the best teams don’t need home-court advantage in the playoffs to advance. Maintaining the health of our key contributors is the most important factor to winning a championship and taking home the title of NBA Champions back to Houston for the first time in 24 seasons. Everyone (even the national media who seem to think this year’s team is worse than last year’s) agree that if CP3 didn’t suffer an injury at the end of Game 5 in the Western Conference Finals, we would have beaten the Warriors, and gone all the way to win the title. Chris Paul’s leadership was sorely missed in Game 6 and 7 of the WCF and not surprisingly so, as the Rockets were 50-8 in games Chris Paul played last season. The playoff injury bug came back to haunt us (similar to what happened to T-Mac and Yao against those Kobe-led Laker championship teams, series we happened to lead until one of our key performers suffered an injury). I’m not trying to make excuses, but if the Rockets can stay healthy, this team is ready for a championship, THIS SEASON. A major stat that really backs up the proven chemistry of this team’s core is the fact that when James Harden, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela all played together last season the Rockets were a dominant 50-5. The national media is severely underestimating the impact James Ennis III will have filling in for Trevor Ariza as the starting small forward. A defensive stalwart and increasingly improving 3-point shooter, Ennis will fit seamlessly in a Rockets offense that revolves around spacing and the 3-point shot. The Rockets went 42-4 last season when they made 15 or more 3’s in a game, proving that when they’re on from deep, they’re tough to beat. Michael Carter-Williams (MCW) should provide much-needed backcourt depth for Houston, along with Gray Clark (if he continues his impressive play in from the preseason). And then there’s the most “glamorous” offseason acquisition for the Rockets, 10-time NBA All Star Carmelo Anthony. Melo is nowhere near the Melo he used to be in his prime but he can still be an effective player when plugged into the right system. Carmelo says he is buying into his role coming off the bench with the second unit. From the looks of his preseason play, it seems that Melo is more than willing to fit into a Mike D’Antoni system that has the personnel required to win a title, a contrast to when the two were in New York with a terrible front office who couldn’t put serviceable players to compliment Anthony in D’Antoni’s system. Carmelo realizes he’s not the first, second, or even third option anymore (that goes deservedly to Capela). Clint Capela has been slept on his entire career and his improvement with each passing season is eye boggling (he should have been awarded Most Improved Player last season in my opinion). I expect him to put up All-Star caliber numbers this season and finally get some respect from the national media. His importance cannot be overstated: The Rockets went 24-2 last season in games that Capela posted at least 15 points, and they went 7-0 in games that the squad recorded 7 or more blocks, the majority of those being attributed to Capela. A bench unit consisting of Melo, Eric Gordon (who has slimmed down over the offseason and looks leaner, quicker, and spryer than ever), and Gerald Green (instant energy off the bench) will provide enough offense, energy, and experience to compete with and outplay any second unit in the NBA. Carmelo Anthony has gotten the most attention of all the new additions, and I expect him to thrive in Houston, but the most important new addition will be James Ennis. Trevor Ariza will be missed, but Ariza is on the downside of his career, while Ennis, a gritty, hard-nosed defender who doesn’t mind doing the dirty work is entering the prime of his career. His 3-point shooting has improved and his addition to this Rockets team is the absolute perfect fit. It’s no surprise Coach Mike D’Antoni decided to insert him into the starting lineup. Look for Ennis to provide great hustle, defense, and a lot of intangibles similar to P.J. Tucker (whose value to this team as the ultimate hustle player doesn’t always show up in the box score, but true Rocket fans know how much he means to this team). When Mike D’Antoni says PJ Tucker is one of the best TWO WAY players in the NBA, he’s not kidding. Tucker is by far the best hustle player in the league and he brings so many winning intangibles to this Rockets team. The Rockets began last season starting Ryan Anderson at the power forward, and despite him being a major defensive liability in today’s perimeter-oriented NBA game, the Rockets sprinted out of the gate and started the season 25-4. As the playoffs loomed closer and Tucker’s defense and hustle earned him more minutes, the Rockets decided to insert him for Anderson in the starting lineup. The result? The Rockets went 29-4 in games P.J. Tucker started last season. There’s a reason Daryl Morey didn’t want to include Tucker in a possible deal for disgruntled Minnesota Timberwolves star and Tomball native, Jimmy Butler. Keep an eye on Marquesse Chriss, the long forward’s athletic prowess should be an integral fit in the Rockets’ system. It may take a few days for him to get fully integrated into the Rockets unique system, but expect Chriss to be on the receiving end of many lobs and alley-oops as the season progresses, and don’t be surprised if he wows you with some crazy dunks that make SportsCenter’s Top 10. Gary Clark outperformed what was expected of him in the preseason and earned a roster spot to provide further depth for Houston in the backcourt. The most interesting aspect of this season will be how the Rockets head coach, and reigning NBA Coach of the Year, decides to play and experiment with his rotation. It will also be interesting to see how the defense keeps up without Rockets defensive “coordinator” Jeff Bzdelik, who announced his retirement only days ago. Most people point to the offense when they look at the Rockets 65-win season last year and their run to being one win away from the NBA Finals. However, it was the defense that stepped up in the most pressure situations that took the club as far as it went last year. Scoring for the Rockets comes naturally, it’s only when this team commits on the defensive end that they truly show the entire league that they are not only “in the race”, but a serious contender for the Championship. When the Rockets held their opponents below 100 points they went a stellar 32-3 last year. Hopefully that defensive intensity carries over into this season, despite the losses of Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. As last season proved, with the right pieces in place, D’Antoni’s system is a formula that, when executed properly, can result in a Championship. The pieces are all in place for the ultimate run this year. All the squad has to do is Run As One and it’s going to be a season for the ages. So whether you’re watching at home or catching the action in person at Toyota Center, get ready for the beginning of what is going to be a VERY special season for Red Nation. LET’S GO ROCKETS!!!
Roster Moves:
Offseason Additions:
James Ennis III, Carmelo Anthony, Michael Carter-Williams, Marquesse Chriss, Gary Clark, Vincent Edwards
Offseason Losses:
Trevor Ariza, Luc Mbah Moute, Ryan Anderson