After 11 consecutive wins, ranking first in the league, the NBA's 'most bizarre' team was officially born, but it also pointed out the right path for the Golden State Warriors, who were mired in the quagmire!
Text: Lao Kan Kanqiu
Editor|Lao Kan Kanqiu
The NBA season has been going on for nearly two months, and the situation in the league is gradually becoming clearer. Teams from East to West had mixed performances, with several title contenders starting to get back on track after the turmoil of the early stages. For example, the Lakers, led by James and Bush, have gradually shown strong dominance, and in the past month, they have not only won the mid-season championship, but also scored a proud 13-5 record. Similarly, the same is true for the Clippers, Harden suffered a wave of 6 consecutive defeats after joining, but with Wei Shao making sacrifices and returning to the bench, the team has won 11 games in the last 14 games, and is currently in a wave of 6 consecutive wins.
However, in this NBA season full of uncertainties, some dark horse teams have also quietly emerged. Among them, the Timberwolves and Thunder, who have risen strongly on defense, have become the leaders of the Western Conference, and their records are among the top three in the West. And the Magic team is also unique in the battle for the top three in the East, with the top three defense in the league to get a piece of the fierce Eastern competition. The rise of these three teams is no accident, and what they all have in common is that they have achieved extreme defense. The Timberwolves lead the league with a defensive efficiency of 106.7, the Magic rank third in the league with a defensive efficiency of 108.6, and the Thunder are close behind with a defensive efficiency of 110.3. The excellent performances of these teams speak volumes about the importance of defense, and only a solid defense can win for the team.
However, in this season full of dark horses, there is one other team that also shines. Last season, they were a bullying team, with a win rate of less than 30%, and the defense was even more miserable. However, they have risen to prominence this season and currently have a 12-9 record, just two wins away from the third-place Thunder in the West, the Houston Rockets.
The Rockets' rise didn't happen overnight, and they underwent a major overhaul this offseason, not only changing head coaches, but also bringing in a host of experienced veterans to increase the depth of the roster. Now, not only do they have to make the playoffs, but they even have the potential to compete for a championship. What's more, the Rockets' defensive performance this season has been refreshing, with a defensive efficiency of 107.8, which ranks second in the league, which is still widely recognized as not being seen by the league and referees.
In fact, the reason why the Rockets' home and away records this season are so different and become the "weirdest" team in the NBA this season is actually related to some of the referees' decisions. In the words of the Houston media, the reason why the team's away record is so poor is due to a large part of the referee's factors, and the referee's penalty scale is very unfavorable to the Rockets, which makes it difficult for them to move forward in the road game.
The Rockets have an 11-1 record at home so far, and their performance at home can only be described as terrifying. Except for a loss to the Warriors at the beginning of the season, they have been on a high march since then, winning 11 consecutive upsets, including a double win over the Kings, a 34-point victory over the Lakers, and two overthrows of the Nuggets, etc., ranking first in the league in home win percentage!
But this is not the most bizarre, what is even more incredible is that at key moments in the game this season, head coach Udoka has repeatedly pressed the team's boss Jalen Green to the bench. In fact, the rise of the Rockets this season, the new head coach Udoka has undoubtedly played a crucial role. The boldness of his employment strategy is even comparable to that of Cole of the original Warrior Dynasty. Take the last two games as an example, Jalen Green combined for 4-of-22 in two games, only scored 15 points, and the state was really poor, and Udoka didn't get used to him, pressing him directly to the bench in the crucial fourth quarter, not getting a minute. This decision shows Udoka's determination and boldness, as well as his high demands on his players.
Similarly, when the team's offensive axis Shin Kyung didn't feel good, Udoka also let him sit on the bench in the fourth quarter. Udoka made it clear that no one is irreplaceable in the team, that the team's goal is to win the game, so it is essential to put the better players on the field. Udoka's employment strategy is not only reflected in the replacement of players, but also in the tactical arrangement and personnel allocation of the entire team. His trust in his players and his grasp of the game are a testament to his coaching talent and leadership qualities. The Rockets' rise this season is inseparable from Udoka's contributions, and his bold hiring strategy has also opened up more possibilities for the team.
To put it another way, the Warriors' Klay and Green are so poorly performed, does Kerr dare to abandon them at a critical moment? No matter how hot Moody feels and plays well, he can only be abandoned at a critical moment.
This may be because of their contribution and position in the team. However, the net efficiency of the Warriors' starting five has dropped from the top in the league last season to the bottom of the league this season, which is undoubtedly a huge gap. Among them, Kerr's meritorious basketball is destroying the future of the team, Green, Wiggins, and Klay are all lying in the credit book, and they may have lost their motivation to move forward. The Bay Area media has been suggesting that the team send Green and Wiggins away, but who would dare to take over such a situation? After all, their contributions and fame are there. On top of that, Curry can't even make up his mind to give up the 'Iron Triangle,' and that's the biggest obstacle. After all, Curry is the leader and core of the Warriors, and his decisions will directly affect the team's decisions.
I have to say that Udoka's employment strategy really showed the way for the Warriors and Kerr. He dared to abandon underperforming players and tried new lineups and styles of play. This kind of hiring strategy may be what the Warriors need, and it may be the key to getting out of their predicament.