Five Takeaways From The Houston Rockets’ Hot Start

Oct 7, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward

(25) hugs Houston Rockets forward

(1) prior to the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2 – Trevor Ariza has filled Chandler Parsons’ void and more

Hey, you remember that Trevor Ariza guy? Turns out the guy can actually play. Who knew?

In all seriousness, Ariza has come to be known as the most underrated signing of the offseason. Ariza has taken the basketball world by storm with his efficient shooting from behind the 3 point line – 21/35 (60%) from behind the arc in his first five games as a Rocket which is just scary good.

As good as his shooting has been, his perimeter defense has been even better. It’s been well documented how much better of a defender Ariza is that Parsons but seeing it unfold the court is phenomenal. Both the Mavericks and the Rockets played the Celtics this week so just as a comparison, let’s see how both men guarded a common opponent in Jeff Green:

Jeff Green has been averaging 23 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists this season

Ariza held Green to:

17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists (36.8% FG percentage and 14.2% from the 3-point arc)

Parsons “held” Green to:

35 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists (50% FG percentage and 41.6% from the 3-point arc)

Do I even need to explain the difference?

The combo of Beverley and Ariza on the wing is a defensive nightmare. Even the best of teams usually only have two good perimeter players and Ariza and Beverley form a very serious threat at containing them and can possibly make up for Harden’s lack of effort on the wing (Although lately, his effort on the defensive end has been the best we’ve ever seen, but we will talk more about that later).

As far as individual stats go, Ariza and Parsons are neck and neck so far this season.

Ariza is averaging:

17.6 points, 3.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.8 steals per game

(58% FG percentage and 60% from 3-point)

Parsons is averaging:

18.8 points, 2 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1 steal per game

(50% FG percentage and 44.4% from 3-point)

Numbers never lie. While it’s unlikely Ariza will continue to shoot at this unbelievably high shooting percentage, it’s still nice to see him starting his stint off in Houston right this time. I do believe the fit is much cleaner with Ariza than it was with Parsons and his defense is substantially better.

Unlike his previous stint in Houston, Ariza now knows who he is as a player and plays to his role very well. Parsons always seemed like he wanted more – like the bigger role he is provided with in Dallas – which is why I think the offseason worked out best the way it did for both parties.

Overall, Daryl Morey has to love what he has in Trevor Ariza and the price he paid for him ($32 million/4 years) is just the icing on the cake