Three up, three down and so far, so good for your Houston Rockets. The biggest win came against the Spurs with an otherworldly block from Amen Thompson on Victor Wembanyama to seal it. More importantly, look at some of these VERY early numbers.
PPG: 121 – Rank: 8
FG%: 50.2 – Rank: 4
3PT%: 41.7 – Rank: 2
AST: 28 – Rank: 5
Effective FG%: 58 – Rank: 4
Offensive Rating Rank: 4
We know the defense will be good, but check out those offensive numbers. It’s only three games, but that’s one hell of a start.
The Fred VanVleet effect is real.
The Rockets were one of the worst turnover prone teams in the NBA last year. This season, they are so far back to the middle of the pack and climbing. FVV currently has 16 assists with ZERO turnovers. There is no question the offense, particularly in the half court, looks fantastic. The Rockets are +24 with VanVleet on the floor and they clearly feel more comfortable with him running the show. Losing him last season was as big a blow to this team as many thought and we’re seeing that difference already.
This team is deep.
With both VanVleet and Steven Adams being held out of back-to-backs, this team needs their bench to contribute. So far, Marcus Smart has been a fantastic editions (+20 when he is playing), Sheppard finally saw his shots fall on Saturday, and Tari Eason is being Tari Eason again on both ends of the floor. Health has certainly helped them with VanVleet and Adams returning, but the additions of Smart and Bogan Bogdanovic mean that Ime Udoka can stretch his rotation to 12 players when necessary.
The shooting is impressive even if it is just for now.
Last season, the Rockets had exactly one player (Kevin Durant) shoot better than 40 percent from distance. Again, only three games, but currently they have five of their rotation players shooting better than that including Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson. And one of them isn’t Reed Sheppard who struggled in his first game before having a great game in Atlanta. This is a team that is clearly emphasizing running, shooting threes, getting in the paint and to the free throw line. They want to score and they are shooting it extremely well and efficiently. As their defense begins to get into shape, it is going to make them a very dangerous team.
The Rockets are trying to be balanced.
It’s not perfect yet, but clearly the emphasis has been for this team to be able to play in many different ways. Shoot from distance. Get the ball in the post. Run the floor. Switch on defense. Rotate quickly. Most importantly, be efficient and don’t turn the ball over. While the Rockets were a decent offensive team last year and an even better defensive team the year before, Udoka wants this team to combine those two, which would put them among the best team in the league.
