One New Year’s resolution for every NBA team
By Nir Regev
Houston Rockets New Year’s resolution — Less analytics, more attention to player relationships
Why bring in Austin Rivers back to a Chris Paul fronted team when they were rumored to have constant issues back on the Clippers? Why bring in Carmelo Anthony to reunite with Coach Mike D’Antoni and have him come off the bench when they had major issues on the Knicks just a few years ago? Carmelo was unfairly scapegoated for the Rockets’ troubles which has a lot more to do with the calculating analytics nature of the team. It’s not always about what works on paper, paying attention to players internal relationships is important. Sometimes players win despite internal strife by talent alone, and other times it demolishes the whole engine gradually.
The Rockets have the talent to be a top team, they pushed the Warriors to the brink in the playoffs last year, so their issues seem to lie elsewhere. A trade for a major star to shake things up wouldn’t hurt but more so time for the Rockets to look at the unspoken details. The ones not written in the stats and only personally observable by the ‘eye test’ or beyond the court. Of course, everyone says they’re best friends when asked on camera, it doesn’t mean it’s how they really feel. “Both teams played hard.”
Next: Indiana Pacers New Year's resolution - A bit more consistent player roles