Written by The Houston Rockets had a sad outing against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. It was their 11th straight loss (They now have lost 12 straight), where they had the lowest shooting percentage and the fewest made field goals in a game in NBA history, it was the biggest point differential in Memphis’ history, and longest losing streak for the Rockets in 20 years. The Rockets had multiple players who were absent due to injury or recovery. After an exodus of other players, another player just turned down almost $23 million a year to continue playing with them.
Is this the bottom for the Rockets? Only time will tell. This is a great opportunity for the organization to take an honest look at themselves, honestly accept that positive culture change is needed, and then try to change the culture. The time to change the culture is now. They have a younger squad that can easily help the organization change and will become healthier, happier, and a more successful team.
If a culture change is not already happening, then the team and the Houston Rockets organization will continue to fall. The team has been trading away costly players for future draft picks before the trade deadline but that is only for cost savings and draft picks. It does not solve the underlying issue: Culture.
If the team is afraid to try a change, what time is better than now? If they start making changes to their culture, they still might lose some games. But the potential upside will be a great opportunity for them in the future. Changing a culture does not happen overnight. It will take a long time for leadership to change and to influence others that there is a new direction. It will take even longer for members of the organization to believe in the change, new direction, and to trust those who may have not been completely trustworthy before. Once leadership at the organization truly begins changing the culture, we will see a completely different Houston Rockets. I am excited for that day to come!