After a 133-113 loss to the LA Clippers on Friday night, looks like the Rockets are going to have to go back to the drawing board.
Houston coach Mike D’Antoni declared that his staff would use the days off before Tuesday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers to make schematic adjustments to give the Rockets a chance to be competitive defensively. Houston has allowed more than 130 points twice already this season, something the Rockets never did in a regulation game last season.
Mike D'Antoni: "We can't guard on the perimeter. It looks like." pic.twitter.com/jdU4olPdhI
— Kris M Gardner (@TheHRReview) October 27, 2018
“We don’t have any continuity. We’re not figuring it out, and then the dam breaks and everybody struggles. But we’ve got two good days of practice. We’ll figure things out. We just dug ourselves a hole, and we’ve got to dig it out.”
Mike D’Antoni says Rockets need to make some adjustments defensively due to personnel. They are getting torched on switches, which were the key to last season’s scheme.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 27, 2018
The answers about the Rockets’ defense thus far have been dreadful. Houston is tied for 25th in defensive efficiency, allowing 114.7 points per 100 possessions.
The problem could be Carmelo, who is known as a defensive liability.
According to NBA.com’s statistics, the Rockets have allowed 116.1 points per 100 possessions with Anthony on the floor, compared to 105.3 points per 100 possessions when he sits.
Mike D'Antoni can't say this, but it's a huge challenge to figure out what Rockets can do defensively with Melo. Can't keep switching and let him get hunted.
Rockets' DRtg with Melo on court: 116.1
Rockets' DRtg with Melo off court: 105.3
Rockets' DRtg last season: 105.6
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 27, 2018
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rockets’ 1-4 record marks the worst five-game start by a team that had the NBA’s best record the previous season.
You can’t just think you’re going to coast because you did the previous season. It takes effort on both ends of the court. The Rockets are a fantasy team, not a championship squad.
