The Houston Rockets, sans James Harden, are a defensive juggernaut

There has been a uncommon sighting in Houston because the James Harden commerce. 

It is known as protection – and it has led to a six-game win streak in H-City.

Seldom does a franchise comes out victorious when buying and selling away an iconic participant in the midst of his prime, however to date, the Houston Rockets seem like benefitting from buying and selling “The Beard” to the Brooklyn Nets.

Earlier than delivery Harden out East, the Rockets have been attempting to combine new additions John Wall, Demarcus Cousins and Christian Wood into new head coach Stephen Silas’ system.

That was proving tough to do with Harden’s commerce calls for hanging over the franchise, and the group acquired off to a 3-6 begin, rating seventeenth in offensive score (109.2) and twenty first in defensive score (111.1), bringing their total internet score to -2.0, which was twentieth within the NBA.

For the reason that commerce on Jan. 14, the Rockets have not simply been higher. They have been among the best groups within the NBA.

Houston has a 7-3 report since Harden’s departure. Though the group’s offensive score has remained seventeenth within the league (110.4), the Rockets have led the NBA in defensive score in that 10-game span (102.6), which has introduced their internet score to +7.8, fourth within the NBA.

In response to Wall, the reason for the turnaround is fairly easy.

However there’s really extra to the Rockets’ about-face than merely the absence of a disgruntled Harden. Houston’s stars are performing as much as their functionality, together with Victor Oladipo, who was acquired from the Indiana Pacers within the three-team Harden deal.

The Rockets have 4 gamers averaging at the least 17.5 factors per recreation – Wall, Oladipo, Wooden and Eric Gordon – with Wooden main the way in which at 23.3.

The shift in method has the Rockets tied with the Portland Trailblazers for eighth within the Western Convention, at 10-9, and simply 1.5 video games behind the Denver Nuggets in fourth.

FOX Sports activities NBA analyst Chris Broussard weighed in on Houston’s reformed roster. 

“Proper now, Houston seems to be like they may make the playoffs. A backcourt of John Wall and Victor Oladipo – that is really one of many higher backcourts within the league. Christian Wooden, I do not suppose he is an All-Star, however he is placing up All-Star numbers.”

Broussard additionally gave props to the Rockets for bouncing again after Harden compelled his method out of city. 

“I am so joyful for the Houston Rockets. I am not mad at Harden for what he did. He needed to go rogue to get out of Houston. I get it. However I did not like him disrespecting his teammates the way in which he did. John Wall ain’t no joke. Eric Gordon ain’t no joke. Christian Wooden is taking part in nice basketball. P.J. Tucker is a really, superb function participant. DeMarcus Cousins has achieved issues on this league. I simply thought the way in which he went at achieved gamers was improper.

“He handled them like they have been rubbish.”

On Tuesday, former New York Knicks coach David Fizdale mentioned on ESPN’s “The Soar” how spectacular the Rockets’ win streak has been.

“They’d extra turmoil occurring than every other group within the league by far. So many issues swirling round them. You bought guys attempting to reboot their profession, you herald Oladipo late … And all that point, the Harden stuff was hanging over them. To see them forging forward … you gotta give plenty of credit score to Coach Silas and the teaching workers.”

Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer outlined what he has seen from the Rockets this season. 

“I’m on the report saying that I believed Houston might be a terrific group if Harden simply purchased in and confirmed as much as coaching camp in form. So I’m shopping for how good they appear now. John Wall, Oladipo, and Christian Wooden (or WOW as some Rockets followers are calling them) are shining offensively and setting a powerful defensive tone. Oladipo and Wall are each taking part in like they’ve one thing to show after getting back from main accidents, and your complete group is taking part in onerous.”

Though the group lacks a bona fide, MVP-caliber participant corresponding to Harden, the Rockets have made up for it by changing into a well-oiled machine, reasonably than a superstar-driven franchise.

Houston had an issue on its fingers via the primary three weeks of the season. At this level, contemplate it solved.

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