Pre-Season NBA Power Rankings

team. 169. <p>This is a new Houston Rockets, now run by the small ball evolutionary himself, Mike D’Antoni. In the off-season, you can see his thumbprints all over the transactions.  In the absence of center Dwight Howard this year, the  Rockets have opted to get high scoring shooting guard Eric Gordon and power forward Ryan Anderson.</p> <p>Guessing where D’Antoni will settle his new players in the lineup is all speculation at this point, but you can be that he wants James Harden on the court with both Anderson and Gordon.</p> <p>D’antoni’s view of defense is to simply outscore the opponent.  The Rockets defense will fall from the 26th position this past season, likely all the way to the basement.  The offense will see a boost this season.</p> <p>You can bet that the Rockets will improve on the momentum of giving James Harden the green light to shoot at will.  I cannot see the team sustaining the pattern the following year, and they will need to deliberately move to working on the defense next off-season.</p> <p><strong>Key Losses:</strong> Dwight Howard, Terrance Jones<br /> <strong>Key Gains:</strong> Nine Hilario, Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon<br /> <strong>Key Statistic</strong>: Defense<br /> <strong>NBA Power Rankings:</strong> 10th</p>. (43-39). Previous: . Houston Rockets. 10