Rebuilding Houston Rockets are thriving in one key category
Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) and Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) chase after a loose ball in overtime at the Toyota Center on Monday, Dec. 5, 2022, in Houston. The Houston Rockets won the game in double overtime 132-123.
Elizabeth Conley / Staff PhotographerThe Houston Rockets sit surprisingly near the league’s basement in a host of key statistical areas as they continue Year 3 of their current rebuild, though Stephen Silas’ team is showing promise in one category as we approach 2023.
Houston is one of the league’s leading rebounding teams, entering Wednesday night ranked fourth in the league in total rebounds. Look at the current roster assembled by general manager Rafael Stone, and it’s not hard to see why. Houston is the second youngest team in the NBA behind only Oklahoma City, and when looking at Stone’s recent draft history, a bit of a trend has developed. The Rockets have added a number of athletic wings and forwards in the post-Harden era — including KJ Martin, Tari Eason and, of course, Jabari Smith — pieces that look to complement franchise anchor Jalen Green.
The cohesion that Stone is building the current roster into should help the team’s flexibility in both free agency and the draft in 2023 and beyond.
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (1) shoots the ball during an NBA game between the Houston Rockets and the Chicago Bulls on December 26, 2022 at the United Center in Chicago, IL.
Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesRaw rebounding totals aren’t exactly the healthiest way to analyze a team’s efficiency on the glass, and the Rockets’ overall numbers are likely inflated by the fact that they’re, well, one of the league’s least efficient offensive attacks . But a further look at the numbers suggests that Houston is a legitimately imposing team on the glass. The Rockets record the third-most contested rebounds per game, according to NBA data. They sit third in contested return percentage. Houston is among the league leaders in both volume and efficiency on the offensive glass, working hard to offset one of the NBA’s worst team shooting percentages with extra opportunities.
Houston doesn’t have a single return machine on its roster a la Rudy Gobert in Minnesota or Domantas Sabonis in Sacramento. Instead, the Rockets thrive as one of the NBA’s gang teams, with all five players often committed to cleaning the defensive glass. Houston is one of two teams (along with Memphis) to have six players average at least five rebounds per game. Only three other teams have five players averaging five boards per game. The Rockets pair athletic wings and bigs with a pair of big guards who also like to attack the glass, which long-term is likely to be a healthier formula than relying on an obvious giant. Potential foul trouble from a given big doesn’t eliminate Houston’s rebounding advantage on a given night.
Perhaps the Rockets are sacrificing their potential advantage in transition through their heavy commitment to the defensive glass, though in two-plus months, it’s unlikely we’ll see Houston completely change its streak and start chasing every bucket. fast on the horizon. For now, the Rockets are sticking to their plan, one that has created one of the league’s best rebounding advantages on any given night.
