Houston Rockets Season Preview

Houston Rockets

2014 Record: 56-26

2015 O/U: 55.5

Who are their stars?

James Harden is not only the teams’ star; he is their super star. There is no way you can list the top ten NBA players without mention of Harden now a days and his former knock on defense, while still below average is improved. That aside he is a monster! The guy scores at will, can run the floor, can create for others, he can even rebound. Harden averaged about 27-6-4 last year and a triple double is never out of the realm, especially come playoffs. The Rockets have the talent around Harden to be a win now team. How Harden and this team respond from a Western Conference Finals appearance will be the key to watch. Harden, now at 26 is in the heart of his prime, and this team should be extremely competitive.

Who are the glue guys?

Most people are probably yelling and screaming about Dwight Howard not being a star, but I mean really? At this point is that what you think? I see him, as well as Ty Lawson, Trevor Ariza, Donatas Motiejunas, Terrance Jones, Patrick Beverly and Corey Brewer making up what can be argued as the best supporting cast to one player in the NBA. To start is Howard, and yes he can still block shots, and can score at times, but at age 30 he will take his nights off and that is fine. In the end, if he is under the rim blocking shots in the playoffs, it is another help to Harden and his less than stellar defense, and it keeps them competitive. Patrick Beverly is another plus defender and to do it in the guard position can transition Harden to a lesser player. Trevor Ariza is another great defender at the wing, and it basically means that of any of the 1-3 positions, if Ariza and Beverly are on the court, Harden will guard the third best threat. This is a huge help for the Rockets, and not to mention Ariza and his veteran presence, which helped in the playoffs at times. The question in the guard then becomes where does Ty Lawson and Corey Brewer fit in? With Harden, that is a unit that can run the floor can score with ease and should be utilized. To mix and match is the option for most minutes, and with a guy like Brewer who can play the two and the three it gives plenty of lineup versatility. As for Lawson I think he should come off the bench and run a unit with Brewer and potentially KJ McDaniels and rookie Sam Dekker. It would hit Lawsons’ ego but to be have Beverly next to Harden is so efficient. In the frontcourt Jones and D-Mo give the Rockets the ability to flex Howard into an easier role. D-Mo is 7’, but is more of a stretch four who can create space next to Howard. Jones also is mainly a four who has a decent shot, but I would use Jones as the do everything big man, and create around him.

Who are the rotational players?

Their top nine is a formidable rotation, and the rest of the bench fills out as to one that is ready to maintain this success. Behind Howard is Clint Capella and Montrezl Harrell. Both are raw big men, but both can defend and have a decent shot. The spacing that they can provide is very tough to deal with. The ability to ease them in behind Howard gives them a chance to gain confidence in their first two seasons in the league. As mentioned, a guy like Dekker can make some opportunities due to position versatility, and Marcus Thornton may see some minutes, but this is a hot team with young talent budding on the bench.

Where do they rank? Over Under? How far do they go?

In all I think this team wins around that 55 mark. I would lean a little less, due to the beast of the Western Conference, but the sky is clearly the limit in Houston. Harden helped them get to the semi finals last year, and losing to the champions is no knock. With D-Mo out, Howard playing through injury and Lawson in Denver you have to think this team should be better. Like almost all of these teams it will be the luck of the draw, and the matchup you get in the playoffs. I see the Rockets, with Memphis a touch below the top four, therefore I could see them out in the first round, but fifth in the West, and sixth in the NBA can tell you what a giant this conference is.

Under 55.5, 5th in the Western Conference, 6th in the NBA