Fansided

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Preseason power rankings

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors laugh in the hallway before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 29: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors laugh in the hallway before the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 29, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 12: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets autographs his shoe for a fan after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 12, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 12: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets autographs his shoe for a fan after the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 12, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. team. 169. . . Previous: . Houston Rockets

Taking a step back defensively has to be a concern for the Rockets this year. As smoothly and efficiently as their offense ran with an integrated Chris Paul last season, they were actually a tenth of a point per 100 possessions less efficient than they had been the year before. Their breakthrough last year was, in large part, because of significant improvement at the defensive end. The departures of Luc Mbah a Moute and Trevor Ariza absolutely threatens that.

Some of those minutes will be going to Carmelo Anthony, a pretty poor defender, and a lot will be asked of James Ennis in filling the gap. Michael Carter-Williams may do some revitalizing for his career but being more of a backcourt defender, he’s not going to help much with what the Rockets lost in Mbah a Moute and Ariza. The best case for the Rockets is that the addition of Anthony is somehow able to take their offense to another level, one that can compensate for whatever step back they take on defense.