Houston Rockets Showing Signs of Development on Defense?

After two preseason games, has there been any improvements to the Houston Rockets' play on the defensive end?

HOUSTON — The Houston Rockets are 2-0 to begin their five-game preseason schedule. Coach Ime Udoka has played his projected starters over 20 minutes, making the first two games a reliable sample size of the team's improvements.

The Rockets' offense has been efficient, but their performance on the defensive end has been the most revealing. Houston has held their opponents to an average of 95.0 points while possessing the league's second-best defense with a defensive net rating of 91.3.  

"Defense is all about effort," Jabari Smith Jr. said. "It's about 75 percent effort. You have to want to do it. And with the rest, it's about being in the right spots and getting there early."

The Rockets displayed their improved defense during Thursday's 120-80 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. They held the Pelicans to 38.6 percent shooting from the field. But more importantly, Houston forced New Orleans into committing 27 turnovers — 20 came during the first half.

Despite noticing that the Pelicans were not as sharp as they would be in the regular season, Udoka said the defensive activity inside the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL, was "great."

Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas (17) battles for position with Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks (9) during an NBA exhibition game at Legacy Arena at BJCC / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

The production of the Rockets' defense has Udoka pleased 11 days before the start of the 2023-24 season. But with three exhibition matches remaining, switching remains a significant point of emphasis for improvements. 

"We were a little sluggish with our switching in the first game but got better in game two," Udoka said. "We haven't put in all of our coverages. So, they are doing well with what we have thrown at them, and we will continue to build on it."

Defense has been a top priority for the Rockets since Udoka took over as coach in late April. And before the start of training camp in Lake Charles, Houston's defensive struggles from the previous three seasons were highlighted inside the Legacy Center.

Last season alone, the Rockets possessed the league's second-worst defense by giving up an average of 118.6 points with a defensive net rating of 118.6.

Players have attributed their improved defensive play to communication and effort. But Smith revealed that the team has bought early into Udoka's defensive philosophies.

"We are working on us," Smith said. "Our defense wasn't great last year, and we know that. Defense has been a big focus for us. And we want to be that team that you don't want to play."