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Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni blames himself for his team's slow start due to their lack of conditioning.
Per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle, D'Antoni admitted that he was managing his team's minutes so that they won't be fatigued by the end of the season.
Article Continues Below“I’m also kind of responsible. I was saving their legs in the preseason so that near the end of the yr we’ll be fresher. I can’t also be crazy because they’re not quite in shape. We’re working on it.”
D'Antoni repeatedly cited how lack of conditioning contributed to poor start.
"I’m also kind of responsible. I was saving their legs in the preseason so that near the end of the yr we’ll be fresher. I can’t also be crazy because they’re not quite in shape. We’re working on it.”
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) November 7, 2019
In the young season, the Rockets have a 5-3 record. Not much can be said this early, but several have pointed out how the Rockets seem to be lackadaisical on defense. They currently have a 113.1 defensive rating for 28th place. They have allowed all their foes to reach 100 points. Their 159-158 win over the Washington Wizards on Oct. 30 — which now holds the record for the highest-scoring game in league history — is a revealing sign that they are are disregarding the defensive end of the floor.
But Rockets fans need not worry. D'Antoni's admittance that his team lacks conditioning may pave the way for a much active Rockets squad not just on offense, but on defense as well. This will be key as they embark on another playoff campaign in a much more competitive Western Conference.
