The Houston Rockets are the bad good team, which isn’t ideal
The Houston Rockets continue to showcase that they’re nothing more than a bad good team, which will only result in more heartbreak come playoff time
A few nights ago, the Houston Rockets were leading the San Antonio Spurs by 16 points heading into the fourth quarter. The Rockets, somehow, would go on to lose to the Spurs – albeit in controversial fashion – in double overtime
Both James Harden and Russell Westbrook struggled from the floor, and couldn’t hit many back-to-back baskets. Harden, specifically, shot 11-38 from the field (4-20 3-PT). The only thing that kept the Rockets in control of the game was his 24 made free throws. Harden finished with 50 points in the loss.
Russell Westbrook found a way to shoot worse than Harden. Brodie shot 7-30 from the field and 1-6 from 3-point range.
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Both shot poorly, both had turnovers which cause them to blow the game. This all seems like a remake of a bad movie.
The Rockets have a lead. Then, shooting poorly down the stretch while not playing defense. The other team is able to come back. Then, Harden and “All-Star to be named later,” proceed to panic, shoot poorly, and make bad decisions.
We saw this against Golden State multiple times in the playoffs. That team featured Chris Paul, now the Rockets have Westbrook. Things were supposed to be different.
Against the Spurs, the Rockets allowed Lonnie Walker IV to not only get a career-high in minutes (35) but score 28 points. Walker IV did this on 10-18 shooting, 4-7 from 3-point range.
Bryn Forbes also had himself a game and scored 25 points as well. The Spurs also won without LaMarcus Aldridge playing. Which could be viewed as an inexcusable loss.
The Rockets lead the league in 3-point attempts with about 45 per game. Their team shooting average is 34 percent, which ranks them 26th in the league.
Only three players on the Rockets shoot over 40 percent from 3. PJ Tucker at 46.2 percent, Chris Clemons (on a two-way deal) at 41.9 percent and Daniel House Jr. at 44.4 percent. Then, there is James Harden who shoots 13.9 3-pointers a game and makes 4.9 of them. To have a 3-point percentage of 35.5 percent.
Are the Rockets dead in the water? No. The Rockets need to find a more efficient offense with better players to fill the gaps. Having Austin Rivers out there with his poor PER and even worse shooting numbers will lead to more fourth-quarter collapses. Just shooting 3’s and hoping they go in is not the answer.
Next. NBA: Handing out 2019-20 individual awards at the quarter mark. dark
If the Houston Rockets don’t find a way to fix their roster, we will be seeing a repeat of their award-winning playoff collapse again this year. It might be a bit rash to say, but the Rockets are a bad good team.