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Houston Rockets: NBA Scout Rips ‘Atrocious’ Team Strategy

By Brian K. Patterson

Apr 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after the Rockets made a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after the Rockets made a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors in the first quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Let me tell you something Houston Rockets’ fans — I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again.  I still have concerns about the defensive mindset of this basketball team.  I have no worries about how our offense will perform on the court as we have all been treated to an amazing exhibition so far.

Let me tell you something Houston Rockets‘ fans — I’ll say it once and I’ll say it again.  I still have concerns about the defensive mindset of this basketball team.  I have no worries about how our offense will perform on the court as we have all been treated to an amazing exhibition so far.

But as I mentioned yesterday, the Houston Rockets have averaged 121.8 points per game in the preseason so far but have given up 107.1 PPG.

That’s nearly a 14.7-point differential but that doesn’t necessarily tell the whole tale.

Quite simply, we are scoring more points than we are giving up but are we defensively efficient?

The concern I have is that this team — with its fast pace — is giving their opponents more possessions to work with to score points.

It’s definitely apparent that the name of the game is to keep at such a torrid pace that the said opponent is not able to keep up with our style of play thus this team becoming the victor.

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I honestly think that this strategy could win this team a lot of games but will it bring a championship with Mike D’Antoni‘s tried-and-true formula?

That remains to be seen.

And you don’t have to take my word for it..

Sports Illustrated recently reached out to myriad of NBA Scouts — who remained anonymous — for their latest edition of their Crossover series previewing all 30 teams.

The scout that critiqued our team didn’t hold back and had some harsh words for our beloved team.

Here was the leading sentence:

"“I thought it was an interesting approach to the off-season to say, ‘Alright, f— it, we’re going all in on offense. F— defense.” they mentioned.  “I don’t know how much of it was Daryl [Morey] or the owner [Leslie Alexander]. There’s been some rumors that [Mike] D’Antoni wasn’t really Daryl’s call.”"

Ouch.

But I imagined that this sentiment has been echoed league-wide by experts and I’m not too surprised to be reading this.

Here’s an interesting tidbit that was given about our defensive mindset:

"“I gotta think they’re gonna be atrocious on defense,” they said. “D’Antoni, every time he’s been a head coach he hasn’t really cared about defense. And as these coaches get older, they just lose the desire to fight those battles every day. It’s pain in the ass, you have to stay on these guys, and bother them about it, hold guys accountable over and over and over.”"

And the scout also added this:

"“Allegedly they have assistants who will handle the defense, and that helps to an extent, but if the head coach doesn’t care, assistants can scream and show film all they want, but you won’t get as much buy-in.”"

I happen to consider that all of what this scout is saying could be true.

But the difference is that D’Antoni has hired veteran assistant Jeff Bzedlik along with former NBA player-turned-coach in Roy Rogers, who wasn’t quite shabby himself when he trotted up-and-down the the hardwood.

Next: What's The Biggest Concern About The Defense?

Although the scout didn’t mention them by name, these two gentlemen are whom the scout alluded to in the preceding quote.

And here’s one last tidbit about James Harden that was mentioned:

"“The advantage Houston has is that Harden can really beat a switch. He’s one of the few guys in the league that has the whole offensive package. You really gotta be careful if you’re switching onto him, because he’s so good with the ball.”"

There’s no doubt that I agree with this — Harden will be the adhesive that holds this offense together; and, as we know, all of it will flow through him.

And you know what?

I have no problem with that whatsoever.

It’s all about winning games and this scheme could work for the Houston Rockets.

I just don’t appreciate the condescending verbiage that this scout used about our partially-rebuilt team.

So what do you think H-Town?  Are the naysayers right?  Can we shut up the critics?

Feel free to voice your concerns whatever way you want.

People need to hear us loud and clear!

Go Houston Rockets.

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