Rockets' Tari Eason Reveals 'Defensive Approach' For Second Season
Former Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas was fired by the organization this offseason due to his 59-177 record over the last three years. The Rockets having the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA (118.6) last season was the final straw.
Despite the poor defensive rating, rookie power forward Tari Eason was among the Rockets' leaders on that side of the ball. Eason, who played just 21.5 minutes per game, recorded 96 steals last season—16th-most in the NBA. The 22-year-old earned All-Rookie Second Team honors for his efforts.
Eason's defense should continue to improve this season as he'll likely get an increase in minutes from new coach Ime Udoka.
In his lone season as coach of the Boston Celtics in 2021-22, Udoka preached defense as Boston had the best defensive rating in the NBA (106.2). Udoka was hired by Houston in April, hoping he extends his defensive prowess, putting an end to the Rockets' three-year skid at the bottom tier of the NBA.
Eason told The Athletic's Kelly Iko on Monday what Udoka and the rest of the new coaching staff expect of him.
"As far as my defensive approach, they want me to be locked in," Eason said. "We have an older team now, so for me to be on the floor, I have to be one of the best defenders on the floor at all times. So just really being homed in on defense, that’s the biggest thing."
Eason's defense was praised by offseason addition Dillon Brooks when he arrived in Houston. The All-Defensive Second Team member also previously stated that Eason was the teammate he looks most forward to working with. After hearing this, Eason is only more eager to work with Brooks.
"He’s one of the best defenders around and I can learn so many things from him," Eason said. "Just being able to be paired with him and his skill, his approach and how he sees things from a defensive standpoint. I’ll be able to pick his brain, learn and become a better defender."
Without the help of current teammates and coaches, Eason explained what he's done to improve in the offseason and who he hopes to resemble during his second season.
"This summer I’ve watched a lot of film," Eason said. "Watched a lot of Jimmy Butler, a little bit of Kawhi Leonard. But I watched a lot of my film (from) the season. Things that I can improve, little things. I watch with me or my high school coach, he lives out here."
Eason listed a few things he could improve on defensively.
"Standing too straight up, (giving up) backdoors, low man, help-side defense, things like that," Eason said.
As we eclipse the beginning of August, Eason still has lots of time before his lockdown defensive campaign tips off.
You can follow Hunter De Siver on Twitter @HunterDeSiver.
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