How Rockets took Cam Whitmore out of “La La Land” and unlocked his defensive potential

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With Cam Whitmore returned to the Rockets’ rotation – thanks to injuries to Jabari Smith Jr. and Tari Eason (who recently returned to action) – the second-year forward has brought with him a much-needed offensive booster.

His 10.1 points per game ranks first among players who average 17 minutes or less. His per-36-minute output (22.8 points) puts him between the likes of Trae Young and Jaylen Brown. His floor spacing (42.2 percent from 3 since December) is crucial for a poor shooting team. According to Cleaning the Glass, Houston’s offensive efficiency increases by nearly five points per 100 possessions when Whitmore is on the floor (80th percentile).

But that’s not the most impressive aspect of his nightly performances – not for head coach Ime Udoka, whose focus is generally on the other end. He recently used the word “dedicated” to describe Whitmore’s attention to the defensive game plan, which had been his weakness until this stretch – and one of the main reasons he was sent to the G League.

Solving the Whitmore equation was never about shot selection. Whitmore has a penchant for letting it fly, and when he feels like he’s not being involved offensively, his body language and actions show it. In a tight rotation with players struggling for minutes, Udoka and the coaching staff cared much more about Whitmore’s ability to defend within the team concept.

He showed flashes of defensive play as a rookie, but Udoka cared less about making plays that paid off and more about team cohesion. Sometimes Whitmore let his frustrations at one end spill over into his struggles at the other, but other times it was simply a matter of understanding the job.

“It was always his recognition,” Udoka said earlier this month. “It’s hard to communicate when you’re one step behind. Awareness, recognition, reaction – all the things we do off the ball (were crucial). It was more about off-ball defense and team defense in general. He’s a big, physical body and will face challenges one-on-one, but that’s not how we play. Not only do we fight and get through every screen and stay with one man, we do a lot more communication and stuff to be proactive. He was a little slow with them at first (but) much better now. “

One of the most common misconceptions about great defensive teams is the assumption that they are elite in every facet of team defense. On paper, the Rockets have multiple physical players who can guard multiple positions. According to Synergy tracking data, Houston switches a lot (10th in the league) but ranks 26th in points allowed per game when they do.

That’s why Whitmore regaining minutes under Udoka is so important. At 6-foot-7 and 230 pounds, Whitmore has the tools to be an effective defender. Since returning from his stint with the Vipers in Rio Grande Valley, Whitmore has looked more like a capable team defender. As Udoka said previously, Houston’s system isn’t about having blocking options and leaving them on the islands – it’s a combined effort.

With so much attention focused on Whitmore’s offensive contributions (his 10-point, 4-for-6 shooting in the first quarter against Cleveland, for starters), his effectiveness on the other end often goes unnoticed. According to the Bball Index, he falls in the 90th percentile for defensive position versatility, which is often evident in how much confidence Udoka places in himself on a given half possession. Pay attention to Whitmore’s communication in a stretch where he asked to defend three different Mavericks and finish the job with a contest.

“I just had to be really locked in,” Whitmore agreed The athlete. “Sometimes I’m a little in La-La Land, but that’s just me. I owe it all to my (lack of) effort and laziness, but effort is free. It’s just something I had to do, dial it in a little bit more and try to get on the ground with it. “

Maintaining Whitmore’s effort and commitment when he’s not the primary defender is half the battle. The Rockets coaching staff is confident in his on-ball skills, ranking in the 80th percentile in deflections per 75 possessions, 84th percentile in passing lane defense and 73rd percentile in overall defensive playmaking, all according to the Bball Index. Combine that with his underrated rebounding ability (7.2 per 36 minutes), and it’s clear why Houston’s defense is giving up 107.8 points per 100 possessions while Whitmore is on the floor.

It’s important to remember that Whitmore is only in his second season and is not a finished product. At times, his penchant for defensive gambles puts the team in precarious positions and creates a domino effect. But the Rockets don’t get to the league’s second-best defense without calculated risks, and Houston forces nearly three percent more turnovers when Whitmore is on the

“It adds to the guys we already have,” Udoka said. “Our steal numbers are so high because of Amen (Thompson), Tari (Eason) and Fred (Vanvleet), the guys with good hands and instincts. He’s also become more aggressive on the ball and is learning when to make a play when a man gets on a scoring move or his back is turned. Add it to the list and this is what we need to generate transition baskets. “

Jay Huff has found a new home and role in Memphis. (Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)

In his fourth season in the NBA, reserve big Jay Huff has already played more games for Memphis (38) than in his previous three seasons combined (31). It’s a testament to perseverance through a long journey, from undrafted in 2021 to multiple G League and Summer League stints before finally finding a home with the Grizzlies this season.

But while Huff’s most important attribute to Memphis’ halfcourt attack is his floor spacing as a center – shooting 41.5 percent from 3 on around four attempts per game – it’s what he does before the Ball leaves his hand, which gives him and the Grizzlies an advantage.

In short, Huff’s pump fakes combined with his acceleration at 7-foot-1 are legit.

“His shooting ability definitely opens that up,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said. “For a 7-foot-1 guy (who) can do a lot of it is in tight situations. He makes what we call broadcast decisions at a pretty high level. When we get teams in rotation, he knows when teams run him off the line, he has a dynamic ability to get to the rim in two dribbles. Just gives us more versatility, not just from a shooting standpoint, but also downward penetration at that size. “

Due to Huff’s dwindling minutes this month – a result of Memphis’ depth and the gradual return of injured players – it’s easy to watch as Huff settles into his patented stride. But when faced with a Grizzlies team, used to push the tempo against teams struggling to get back in transition, it’s deadly – even against Victor Wembanyama, a future perennial Defensive Player of the Year.

The majority of Huff’s drives – according to Synergy – are on the right, where he scores 0.95 points per chance, good for the 43rd percentile. But when Huff drives, as in the possession above, that number jumps to 1.30, putting him in the 93rd percentile.

A few things are at play here. Huff is naturally right-handed, so can drive with his off-hand defense. Huff is also a short player for his size and doesn’t waste time overthinking.

The two lineups in which Huff has been used most often – alongside sharpshooting forward Santi Aldama – have scored at a renowned rate. Per NBA.com tracking data, Memphis is a plus-31.8 and plus-35.3 in 47 minutes. Small sample size, yes, but Jenkins has found an in-game formula that works and, when combined with Jaorant’s dynamic or the Desmond Bane/Scottie Pippen Jr. backcourt, keeps Huff on the floor.

It also helps that Huff’s drives don’t draw help more than 90 percent of the time. Most defenders are either shocked a 7-footer would dare put the ball on the ground or don’t believe anything effective would result. And no matter which direction he drives, Huff finds plenty of success at the rim, scoring 1.33 and 1.62 points per chance on left- and right-side drives, respectively.

The key for Huff – and the challenge for Jenkins and the Grizzlies coaching staff – is maintaining solid defense while he’s on the floor. Midway through the season, it’s clear that rookie Zach Edey is a more formidable rim protector. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke offer more flexibility and toughness. But Huff’s pump fakes, if used correctly, are another tool for the third-seeded Grizzlies and could be an X-factor in a playoff series.

(Top photo by Cam Whitmore: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)