Houston Rockets: Just Relax and Chill

The Houston Rockets must have taken a page from Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror, and are looking at themselves to make a much-needed change. After they suffered their fourth straight loss to the Boston Celtics Monday night, the Rockets held a players only meeting the morning after in an attempt to turn their season around.

Although the league’s most disappointing team are the 1-10 New Orleans Pelicans, the Rockets are not far from the totem pole. Even though they would not share what was discuss at the meeting to the media, according to the Houston Chronicle, James Harden said it was productive and much-needed.

“It was a good talk for us. Each guy said what their role was and how every single night they’re going to contribute to that role.”- Harden

Despite the fact this is only the fourth week of the new season, the Rockets are already on a roller coaster ride. They opened up the new season with a shocking 0-3 start losing by 20 points in each contest. Then they tricked everyone into thinking they were back on track after they won four games in a row. But now, the Rockets have seemingly hit their lowest point of the season.

Nov 2, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Ty Lawson (3) dribbles against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Rocket won 110 to 105. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Things are not looking good in Houston at the moment, but the Rockets can go nowhere but up from here. Last season, Houston was one of the fiercest teams in the league.

They were one of the best defensive teams. Ranked in the top 15 in rebounding, (half was without Dwight Howard), and were top 10 in 3-point field goal percentage with 34.8 percent. Boy how different things are in less than a year.

Defense has become their number one concern in their first 11 games. During their current losing streak, the Rockets have given up 105.8 points per game.

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Even without Dirk Nowitzki and Wesley Matthews, the Dallas Mavericks still managed to score 110 points on the Rockets. The self-proclaimed 2014-15 MVP needs to learn how to see man and ball on defense, and stop giving up backdoor lay-ups. Come on Harden, this is the basic fundamentals of basketball.

The Rockets are showing no sense of urgency cleaning the glass this year giving up 47.5 rebounds per game. It is no secret the Rockets are in love with the 3-point shot, but at some point they will have to give it up. Houston have attempted the most 3-point field goals in the league this season, yet have the second worst percentage from behind the arc with 29 percent.

The Rockets have a lot of problems to deal with at the moment, but it is sad to see that everyone is blaming Ty Lawson for their early struggles. Rockets Nation! All newly acquired players have their share of troubles after joining a new team. Unfortunately, it going to take Lawson a little longer to adapt to the Rockets since Kevin McHale has not found a consistent rotation yet.

Remember when LeBron James and Chris Bosh first joined Dwyane Wade in Miami? At one point during their first season (2010-11) the Heat were under .500, but look how they turned out in the long run. It even took Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal some time before they began to click and win going on to win multiple championships.

As a Rocket fan, it is upsetting to see the Rockets play this terrible to start the season, but everything will be okay. These kind of moments will happen throughout an 82 game season.

Next: How Pundits Rank Rockets Week 3

So for now just relax Clutch City, and do not panic. Before you know it the Rockets will be one of the best teams in the league again, and everyone will forget how bad they started the season.

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