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5 reasons why the Houston Rockets should not hire Mike D’Antoni

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Harden, Houston Rockets, Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Feb 27, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker (9) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Spurs defeated the Rockets 104-94. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense is not the problem

The way stories go with Mike D’Antoni, his practices are all about offense. Defense is just not a concern for him.

While his team’s defenses are perhaps not as bad as some people perceive, his team’s defense are not particularly good either. While his offenses soared, his defenses lagged.

For as bad as the Rockets played this year, they finished with the eighth best offensive rating in the league, scoring 105.5 points per 100 possessions.

In short, offense is not the problem. Defense was.

When the Rockets finished with the second seed in the Western Conference in 2015, it was because of their defense suddenly becoming elite. The Rockets had a 100.5 defensive rating, finishing sixth in the league. That dropped to 105.6 in 2016, 20th in the league.

That is a huge drop and a big reason for the Rockets’ fall off.

Houston’s problem was not on the offensive end. Frankly, as ugly as it can be to watch, handing the ball to James Harden and letting him work is plenty good offense most of the time.

The Rockets’ issue is on defense. And D’Antoni does not solve that problem at all. Instead, he may make that issue worse.

So while the fit seems natural, D’Antoni is not a good choice for the Houston Rockets.

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