Yahoo Sports senior NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor is joined Esfandiar Baraheni of The Athletic to discuss Houston’s hot start at the top rated offense in the league. Check out the full conversation on “The Kevin O’Connor Show” and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen.
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Video Transcript
The Houston Rockets had another win on Sunday, a strong overtime victory against The Orlando Magic.
They lead the NBA this year with a 123.4 offensive rating.
This isn’t an early-season blip.
The Rockets have the NBA’s best offense.
Too far, or not far enough.
Not far enough.
I love this Rockets’ offense.
I love it.
And I think it has a proven identity.
Because they have two offensive engines that they can work through.
One is Kevin Durant, who was basically born and bred to make tough shots.
Like he knows how to make difficult shots, everywhere.
And then they have Chang-oon, who has improved as a ball-handler.
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Who is working more in pick and rolls, like uh, you know, He’ll like guard pick-and-rolls with Rockets, Or he’ll run as the screener for Kevin Durant in pick-and-rolls.
And they have cutters in Amon Thompson and Terry Eason once he returns from injury.
They have shooting from Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. At the same time, they rebound like Mad Men.
They have Steven Adams.
They have Clint Capela, guys who crash the offensive glass like crazy.
And so, this is a team that I think has an identity.
1.
Everybody understands their role.
Two, they know what they’re good at.
And three, they’re willing to lean on that each single night.
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That, to me, is what the best offense in the NBA encompasses.
I think that is spot on, and you do take it further.
They’re not just scoring, right?
They have so many different layers and Ways that they can play, You mentioned their offensive rebounding.
They’re No.
1 in the NBA in offensive rebounding or reclaiming 40% of their missed shots.
And then they’re last in the NBA in 3-point attempts per game.
But they’re first in 3-point percentage.
Like they’re taking quality shots this season and ultimately.
The big question about Emmet this season is, well, How do they replace Fred VanVleet?
Shengun has taken a big leap.
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Aman Thompson doing more with the ball in his hands.
The addition of Kevin Durant may mean a higher usage than he might have had If VanVleet were healthy.
And then Reed Shepherd, 47.8% from three point land so far this season.
These guys collectively create the best offense so far in the NBA.
It’s pretty remarkable, honestly.
I think it’s a little bit sooner.
And I would have anticipated this happening.