Houston's refusal to embrace the volume-heavy perimeter era is costing them. Despite winning 52 games, the Rockets are being mathematically outpaced by rivals who prioritize the three.
The Rockets won 52 games, finished near the top of the Western Conference, and still fell flat. That’s what has the league and fans in such a tizzy. 30 games lost isn’t a total crisis, but when you’re consistently losing to the math game, it’s time to rethink your strategy… and probably your roster.
Houston finished 23rd in the NBA in three-point attempts this season at just 31.5 per game. As far as efficiency, they shot 36.4 percent from deep this year, which is perfectly respectable. They just didn’t seem particularly interested in finding out how many points were sitting out there waiting for them.
A lot of the teams that put Houston to bed repeatedly have something in common.
Take the Spurs. Houston lost three games to San Antonio by an average of 16 points. In those losses, the Rockets attempted just 26 threes per game. Meanwhile, the Spurs averaged 40.3 attempts against Houston this season while shooting 36.6-percent from deep. That’s virtually identical to the Rockets’ season-long percentage.
Against the Thunder? Same story.
The Rockets fell twice to Oklahoma City by an average of 10.5 points. The Rockets averaged 31.5 attempts from deep those nights. Oklahoma City averaged 43 attempts against Houston this season.
The Rockets keep trying to win basketball the old-fashioned way, and there’s nothing wrong with that, so long as you’re cool with a third consecutive first-round exit. Physical defense and rebounding can only take you so far. To be fair, 52 games is far… but isn’t going to cut it.
The rest of the league figured out a long time ago that three is worth more than two. The Rockets have finally reached the point where they have to admit it.
