"Well, That's New": Houston's Defense, Tyrese "Magic" Haliburton, and a Rookie Lockdown Defender
- Brennan Valladares
- Nov 16, 2023
- 5 min read
Four weeks into the NBA season and already things are not what we had expected. Minnesota might be the best team in the West, the Dame-Giannis pairing is not exactly as potent as we thought it would be, and the Houston Rockets are the fourth seed(?). This week, let's look at three things that are standing out to me so far in the young NBA season in the first installment of "Well, That's New".
Ime Udoka and Houston's Defense
Here are the top five teams in the West right now: (1) Denver, (2) Dallas, (3) Minnesota, (4) Houston, and (5) Oklahoma City. You might be surprised to see this order because just seven months ago, three of those teams did not make the playoffs. Fast forward to Nov. 16 and Houston is riding a six-game winning streak after toppling Jokić and the Nuggets. The Rockets' victory over the defending champs was due to Houston holding the Nuggets to 104 points. Ime Udoka has galvanized this team into one of the best defensive squads in the league, currently ranked fourth in defensive rating at 108.1. Under his tutelage, the Rockets' defensive strategy has been pretty straightforward, limit transition and rim attempts.
Houston is forcing teams into the half-court, currently allowing a league-low 15.3 transition possessions (compared to last year's league-leading 22.7). With Alperen Şengün "anchoring" their defense, Udoka has also urged his players to get over screens to cover for Şengün's defensive shortcomings. Players such as free agent signings Fred Vanvleet and Dillon Brooks are defensive hounds that physically fight through picks and allow Şengün to remain in a drop. A greater sense of pride and urgency on the defensive end has allowed Houston to be one of the best teams at defending the pick-and-roll, ranking in the 58th (ball handler) and 96th (roll man) percentile in points per possession.
Keeping Şengün close to the basket allows Houston to mitigate rollers getting behind him while also limiting the opportunities teams get near the rim. The Rockets are allowing the eighth least amount of rim attempts, which counters the effectiveness teams have of finishing around the cup against them (65.5%). Houston's opponents are being forced to score in the midrange, further helping their weak paint defense.
Overall, Houston's defense is legit and sustainable because it is about effort. You can have the fanciest defensive scheme in the world, but if players do not buy in and sell out on that end of the floor, it will not be effective. Simply getting back on defense and fighting through screens opens the door for more detailed game plans. The players are all in on defense, and Udoka is laying the foundation for a bright future in H-Town.
Tyrese Haliburton is The New Age Magic Johnson
The Indiana Pacers are slotted in third place in the East, and Tyrese Haliburton is at the center of it all. The fourth-year point guard from Iowa State is leading the league in assists with 12.5 per game and his pace has Indiana ranked as the highest offensive-rated team in NBA history.
The heartbeat of the Pacers' offense is their transition play. They currently have the second-fastest pace according to NBA Advanced Stats, and it is basically the modern-day Showtime Lakers. With Haliburton pushing the tempo and shooters flanking him, teams are left dumbfounded as the new-age Magic Johnson no looks it to a teammate for a layup or three. Indiana hoists the sixth most threes per game and converts at the second-best rate of 38.6%. The modern fast break is on full display during a Pacers game, and it revolves around Haliburton. He has every pass in his arsenal, and more importantly, he is on target. He boasts an absurd 6:1 assist-to-turnover ratio and leads the league in assist percentage at 50%.
New-Age Magic Johnson might read as an overstatement, but when comparing the numbers and style of play, the comparison is justified:
Both Haliburton and Johnson are/were the centerpieces of some of the most dynamic, open-court offenses in history. Johnson was a 6'9" point guard who dominated the game with his size and vision, while Haliburton leverages the same passing advantage with outside shooting. Haliburton is the new-age Magic because he has the same passing instincts and skills accompanied by league-wide, and his own, three-point shooting.
So now in transition, instead of Magic Johnson lobbing James Worthy for a high-flying alley-oop, Tyrese Haliburton is whipping the ball behind his back for a Buddy Hield three.
Ausar Thompson Could be The Best Defender in The NBA
While the Pistons have only won two games this year, Ausar Thompson has kept them relevant with unreal blocks and posters. The 20-year-old out of Overtime Elite has already staked himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA. But upon closer inspection, Thompson could be one of the most impactful overall defenders in the league already.
In a matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Thompson drew the assignment of guarding All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. During that game, Thompson held Gilgeous-Alexander to 2-of-8 shooting and forced three turnovers. Thompson's agility, explosiveness, and defensive instincts proved troublesome for a man averaging 29 a night. For the game, the rookie snagged 10 rebounds to go along with a steal and three blocks. This level of defense and production is the norm for Thompson.
Three games after his defensive master class against Gilgeous-Alexander, the first-year wing matched up with Kevin Durant for a few possessions. While Durant exploded for 41 points on 51.9% from the field by the end of the night, Thompson restricted Durant to 3-of-7 for eight points. The rookie finished the night with nine rebounds, four steals, and four blocks.
In the early season, the Pistons' rookie has shown the ability to stay in front of the league's top scorers while also providing massive value as a rebounder and shot blocker. Thompson ranks 15th in the NBA for total rebound percentage, which explains his 10 rebounds a game (currently one of 13 players averaging 10 or more, and the only wing). He also swats 1.9 shots a game and has the 14th-highest block percentage in the league. His supreme athleticism combined with his instincts make him one of the best defenders in the league right now as a rookie. No other player mirrors opposing scorers better than Thompson, and he has elite timing and rim-protection capabilities.
Ausar Thompson is consistently matching up with the best players on the other team and making their lives miserable. He has the discipline, explosiveness, and mindset of the most elite defenders ever. Ausar Thompson is by far the best perimeter defender I have seen all year and will be the best defender in the league soon.
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