Fansided

NBA Power Rankings: Will the Lakers ever win again?

By Ian Levy

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 22: Patty Mills #8 of the San Antonio Spurs scores on his jumper in front of LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers to take a 143-142 lead during overtime at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 17: PJ Tucker #17 of the Houston Rockets shoots the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game on October 17, 2018 at Toyota Center, in Houston, Texas. 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 Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

169. . . Previous: 3rd. Houston Rockets. 9. team

Not, great Bob. The shellacking the Rockets took at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans was the story of the Opening Night but it didn’t really get better from there — a win over the Lakers that included an ugly brawl and a tight loss to the Clippers. The defense which helped the Rockets leap into the tier of elite contenders last year has been terrible — giving up 114.2 points per 100 possessions.

I’m trying to resist the urge to lay too much at the feet of Carmelo Anthony but he’s shooting 32.1 percent from the field, has made 3-of-15 3-pointers and the Rockets have been outscored by 7.4 points per 100 possessions, surrendering 118.0 per 100. If he was just a non-functioning free addition, that would be one thing. But as a replacement for what Houston received from Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute last year, he’s been an absolute mess.

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