On Tuesday while the Rockets had the day off, they learned they had clinched the number two seed in the Western Conference courtesy of a loss by the Lakers. It was a significant achievement for a team who ended one of the worst three-year runs in franchise history just two seasons ago.
After adding 12 wins to their total last season, they are likely to add another 12 this year. Granted, you have to be pretty bad to add 24 wins to your total and still just be the second best team in your conference, but over 50 wins for a team that many expected to be closer to the mid 40s is a big deal.
Now, that the playoffs are just days away, they can turn their attention to a place many of them have never been before. For the first time, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith, Jr., and the rest of the youngsters on this team will get playoff experience. And they are good enough to do some damage. Here is what they need to do to do just that.
Defensive intensity.
The Rockets are the second best defensive team in all of basketball behind only the OKC Thunder. Their versatility allows them to trot out a range of schemes against opponents from full switching man-to-man to what has become an extremely effective zone. They have double big lineups and small, all-guard ones. They can matchup with just about anything another team throws at them. It is the trademark of Ime Udoka’s squad and what has ultimately led them to this point. They can win in the postseason with that style of play if they stick to the level of defense they have performed all season long.
All the small things on offense.
By more traditional statistical standards, the Rockets are mediocre offensively. They are 14th in points scored, 21st in three point percentage and 23rd in field goal percentage. This is an improvement over previous years, but still not good by NBA standards. But, what Udoka and his staff has done to offset the shooting woes is preach rebounding and protecting the ball. They are first in offensive rebounding and second chance scoring. They do everything they have to do in order to put points on the board and work with what they have. It’s an impressive strategy that has, despite their poor shooting, kept them in or near the top 10 in offensive rating all season long. That hustle needs to remain their calling card in the postseason.
Let it all hang out.
For many of these young Rockets, this will be their last chance to play with house money. No matter what happens, they will be forgiven falling short because this is the first time they have sniffed the playoffs since 2018. They should hang onto the feeling and let it fly. Don’t worry about winning. Just worry about playing hard and staying poised. Soak up every bit of knowledge you can from the moment and remember that this is just your first trip, not your last. It should be a massive learning experience regardless of the ultimate outcome.
Stay healthy.
Like all good teams, health plays a huge role and this team has been fairly healthy throughout the season. We’ve all seen firsthand how an injury to a key player at a critical time can derail postseason aspirations. Ask Chris Paul’s hamstring. And worse than losing a shot at a title would be losing a budding young talent to a serious injury. Let’s not do that if at all possible.
