With 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|Old Kan Kan BallEdit|Old Kan Kan Ball
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 Bushy Eyebrows, have gradually shown strong dominance, and in the past month, they have not only beenWinning the mid-season tournament is a 13-5 record。Similarly, the same is true for the Clippers, who suffered a wave of six consecutive defeats after Harden joined, but returned to the bench with the sacrifice of Wei ShaoThe team has won 11 of its last 14 games, which is currently in the midst of 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 defensebecame the leader of the Western Union,Their record is in 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. Timberwolves at 1067 ranks first in the league in defensive efficiency, Magic with 1086 ranks third in the league in defensive efficiency, while the Thunder have 110A defensive efficiency of 3 is a close second. 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 the top of the game this season and currently have a 12-9 record, just two wins away from the Thunder, who are third in the WestIt's 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 refreshingDefensive efficiency is as high as 1078, ranking second in the leagueThis was achieved in a situation where it is generally accepted that it is not being seen by the league and the referees.
In fact, the Rockets' home and away records this season have been so differentBecome the "weirdest" team in the NBA this seasonThis is actually related to some of the referee's decisions. In the words of Houston**, the reason why the team's away record is so bad is due to a large part of the referee's factorsThe referee's penalty scale is very unfavorable to the Rockets, which makes it difficult for them to play away from home.
As of now,The Rockets have an 11-1 record at homeTheir performance at home can only be described as terrifying. With the exception of one loss to the Warriors at the start of the season, they've been on a thriving streak ever since, upset and won 11 consecutive victories, including a double kill against the Kings, a 34-point victory over the Lakers, two upsets of the Nuggets, and so onThe home win percentage is the highest in the league!However, on the road, the Rockets' record is very different, and they only have a record of 1 win and 8 losses, which is really strange.
But that's not the most bizarre thing, what's even more incredible is that this season is at a crucial moment in the gameHead coach Udoka has put team leader Jalen Green on the bench several times. 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.
Again,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 playing so poorly, will Kerr dare to abandon them at a critical moment?No matter how hot Moody's feels and how well he plays, 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 dropped from being first in the league last season to being the bottom of the league this seasonThis 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 has been advising teams to send Green and Wiggins away, but who would dare to take over in such a situation?After all, their former contributions and fame are there. And most importantly,Curry couldn't even make up his mind to give up on the Iron Triangle, and that was 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,Udoka's 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.
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