National Basketball Association

Houston Rockets Lose Season Opener to Lakers - Lessons Learned with Video

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

The Houston Rockets opened the season with a shootout defeat to the Lakers. Here’s the 3 video takeaways.

In the first game of the season the Houston Rockets tried to do what everyone predicted: outscore the opponent with immense firepower.

Factor in the shift to feature James Harden at point guard it seemed the Rockets had an unstoppable offensive game. This was seemingly true as Houston had no problems dropping baskets on the fragile Lakers. That said everyone’s fears regarding Mike D’Antoni‘s defense proved to be true.

Not only the team displayed similar issues from last season but rather they looked to have multiplied. There are now problems with interior defense, rim protection, as well as switching on the pick and roll. Further, the team got visibly fatigued by the fourth quarter.

Finally players such as Nene and Ryan Anderson failed to impress and in fact struggled massively on both ends.

Here are Three Things We Saw from last night’s disappointing defeat

Three Things We Learned

Ryan Anderson’s Performance – Particularly on defense

It’s been a recurring theme since the Houston Rockets signed Ryan Anderson that despite being solid on offense he’s a terrible defender.

More than once this became clear last night.

For example check out the gif below:

make action GIFs

Rockets entire defensive system has flaws in this play, however Anderson’s decision making is puzzling. While Nene leaves the paint to help Eric Gordon covering Marcelo Huertas, Ryan Anderson takes Mozgov. But fearing a three-point shot by Larry Nance, Ryno abandons Mozgov who then proceeds to the easy layup.

Nene looks clueless to Anderson after the play.

The next play is an offensive turnover by Anderson but shows a complete carelessness to his surroundings as he’s easily dispossessed by Jordan Clarkson:

make action GIFs

For being the second highest paid player on the Rockets with the 30th biggest contract in the league Ryan Anderson must improve. And fast.

James Harden / Clint Capela one two punch

First let’s get this out of the way: James Harden had a monster performance. Even though he struggled from beyond the arc, only 1-for-7 you can’t possibly fault him for the defeat after 34 points and 17 assists.

One player that looks to have benefited the most from James Harden’s transition to point guard is Clint Capela. To be honest this entire offensive system benefits the Swiss Roll.

The offense is structured based on high pick and rolls and competent shooters spacing the floor all around leaves Capela unattended for lobs, alley-oops and easy layups. Capela scored all of his 16 points this way last night.

Take a look below on three selected, beautiful dimes from Harden to Capela

make action GIFs like this at MakeaGif

K.J. McDaniels NEEDS MORE PLAYING TIME

Another recurring theme from last season is the curious case of K.J. McDaniels. Last night McDaniels was perfect from the line. 5-for-5 including a three point shot. The Lakers struggled to follow him around and had major issues with his athleticism.

Then how exactly can anyone explain his 12 minutes of playing time? Worse than Sam Dekker‘s 13 or most atrociously Corey Brewer‘s unproductive 15 minutes? It’s unbearably unacceptable.

Here’s hoping Mike D’Antoni addresses these issues for the games against Dallas. Otherwise this is going to be another long… long season.

Want your voice heard? Join the Space City Scoop team!

Next up the Rockets play a home and home series versus the Mavericks. Friday the first of the two games is on the road in Dallas with the tip at 8:30PM ET. In preparation, check out the team previews as per the above links.

More from Space City Scoop

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Basketball Association