The Houston Rockets’ rebuilding years were marked by a few constants. The Rockets struggled to make three-pointers, turned the ball over more than anyone else in the league and ranked dead last in team defense.
With the hiring of Ime Udoka and the free agent signings of Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks, everything started to change. The Rockets improved in all three areas last season, and the improvement that led to the 41-41 record was probably the most significant on defense.
In the previous three seasons under Stephen Silas, the Rockets finished 27th, 30th and 28th in points per game. Not surprisingly, they won just 61 games during that span. The Rockets had terrible communication and a lack of focus on defense, which showed in their record.
When the Rockets hired Udoka, they wanted to change their reputation around the league, on and off the court. Udoka made it clear from his first press conference that toughness and defense were his top priorities.
All the players expressed that sentiment, especially newcomers VanVleet and Brooks. Brooks mostly talked about his defensive intensity and how he wants to be the defensive anchor of the team.
The signings and free agency have paid off. The Rockets have gone from being one of the worst defensive teams in the league to a top-10 defensive rating and 14th in points allowed per game. They’re allowing five fewer points per game than they did last season.
The Rockets have improved not only in points per game or defensive rating, but in every area of defense, including 3-point defense. In today’s NBA, success is about shooting high percentages from three-point range and defending from beyond the arc.
Last season, the Rockets went from 28th in three-point field goal percentage to first in the NBA. That’s a leap for any team, especially one that had been near the bottom of the league in every defensive category for years.
Looking at last season’s numbers, the only area the Rockets can improve on next season is points per game. For the Rockets to go from a good defensive team to one of the best in the league, they need to at least crack the top 10.
With another season under coach Udoka, and if players like Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith can improve their overall defense, the Rockets could become a top-five defense next season.
Let’s remember that this season was without one of their best defenders, Tari Eason, who missed most of the season. Add to that the arrival of Steven Adams, and you start to see the path to an elite defensive team.
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