Tucker: Rockets won't stop until we're top 3 in defense

When the Houston Rockets signed head coach Mike D'Antoni in 2016, it was easy to predict James Harden and the Rockets would flourish on offense. One year later, though, a few fresh faces have turned the franchise into one of the league's best defensive teams.

Chris Paul has received the majority of the attention, as the nine-time All-Defensive Team star has fit in seamlessly on both ends of the floor. The less heralded P.J. Tucker, however, believes he was the missing piece.

"They had months where they were top three in defense last year, and in the end they let it slip, and that's where they think they faltered in winning (more)," Tucker said, according to Sam Amick of USA Today. "As a free agent, I'm thinking, 'I'm what they need. I'm what they need.' And then they signed Luc (Mbah a Moute) after me, and I'm like, 'Oh my God, this is special.'"

The versatility of Tucker and Mbah a Moute has made it nearly impossible for teams to score against the Rockets' bench. In 653 total minutes, Tucker's defensive rating is 99.2. Mbah a Moute is even more impressive, with a defensive rating of 96.7 in 577 total minutes.

"When (we got top five in defense), we were like, 'Forget that. We want top three,'" Tucker said. "We want to take it to another level. We have guys who are bull-headed guys on defense, guys who care about meeting our goals defensively and knowing that if we're a top-five defensive team, with our offense, then we're the best team in the NBA - (or at least) one of the best."

At 20-4, the Rockets have the best record in the NBA, along with the highest point differential (plus-11.2). They are holding teams to 103.3 points per game, eighth in the league, and rank fifth in defensive net rating (101.6).