Houston Rockets: Time To Press The Panic Button?
Here we go again.
The Houston Rockets continue to baffle me — as well as many other fans — as far as how much they are underachieving with all of the talent that they have on the roster.
In the words of the legendary musical recording artist Marvin Gaye, I want to know “What’s Going On?”
The way that the Rockets are losing these games is unacceptable and I’m afraid that some changes are going to have to be made to get this ship righted.
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So far, through nine this season, I’m already starting to eye that bright, red panic button, wondering when would be the time to press it.
As well as the Rockets have been doing prior to this season, that proverbial red button was barely visible, littered with cobwebs and dust far from anybody even thinking about actually using it.
But it’s time to start eyeing it because this level of play can’t continue if we are to be leaders in the Western Conference.
Right now, the indication for the Rockets is that they’re going to be mediocre team and could very well miss the playoffs if they don’t shore things up.
Yes, I know it’s early into the season but this pace is something that can’t be continued, especially with all of the expectations we had for this team going into the season.
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This team needs to just keep one word in the forefront with every breath they take, with every step they take out on the court.
What’s that one word?
DEFENSE.
If this team gets that simple concept together, then the rest will fall into place.
We don’t have be league-leaders in scoring, just score enough points to win games and stifle opponents any opportunity to be effective.
This team has still yet to hold an opponent to under 100 points this season — a rarity of 2014-15 — until things got dicey with injuries down the stretch toward the end of last season.
The Rox are currently holding at 27th in defensive efficiency, giving up 106.3 points per 100 possessions.
They’re third from last — ahead of just the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers and the New Orleans Pelicans.
Last night, Ty Lawson had every shred of opportunity to show up against his former team, the Denver Nuggets but wasn’t able to quite get it done on the scoring end.
He was 0-for-7 from the field, 0-for-2 from three and did not score one point but had seven assists.
Next: It's The Defense, Stupid!
Danilo Gallinari, Will Barton and Kenneth Faried ran circles all around this team to the point of complete embarrassment.
Is it time to press that panic button?
Maybe not now because it’s early in the season but I’m definitely going to be ready to press it at any moment.
Let’s hope this team gets it together before it’s too late.
Go Rockets.