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Houston Rockets: The End Of The Dwight Howard Era

By Mauricio Putz

May 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) is restrained by referee Danny Crawford (48) in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) is restrained by referee Danny Crawford (48) in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the second round of the NBA Playoffs. at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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HOT TAKE ALERT!

Even though Hall of Famer Magic Johnson‘s take is not exactly new, nor bulletproof, after three lopsided losses, we finally realize that the Houston Rockets have no chance at coming back.

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During the 2013-14 season, the Houston Rockets got ousted by a clutch three-pointer courtesy of cold-blooded Damian Lillard. Now, after a lopsided Game 4 loss back in Los Angeles, in which the Rockets failed to regain the home-court advantage that made them so great during the regular season, the Rockets have their backs against the wall as they face elimination at home.

With only two years left (at best) on the James Harden–Dwight Howard experiment, things couldn’t be worse in the Space City.

Two seasons after Dwight Howard’s arrival, the Houston Rockets are yet to deliver the much anticipated third title in franchise history. A title that, following dominant season-long and first-round performances, seemed to be theirs to lose. Going through both, James Harden and Dwight Howard playing at such a high level would be an overwhelming task for any team that stood in their way.

Four games into the Western Conference Semifinals, it hasn’t been for the Los Angeles Clippers. And based on what we’ve seen so far, it likely wouldn’t have been for the San Antonio Spurs, the Golden State Warriors, nor the Memphis Grizzlies. Hell, you can’t help but wonder how exactly did the Houston Rockets get through the Dallas Mavericks with such ease.

Of course, home-court advantage is not nearly what it was five years ago, nevertheless, it was at home that the Houston Rockets were at their absolute best.

During the regular season, the Houstaon Rockets held opponents to 98 points per game at home and an overall -5.6 point differential. The Rockets were also rather good on the road, where, even though they allowed five more points per game — 103, they still held opponents to a minus-1.6 point differential and won a pretty solid 26 games.

During the playoffs, it’s hard to believe the Houston Rockets are the same team they were during the regular season. At home opponents have been able to score 105.4 points per game rate, 7.4 points worse than during the regular season.

There’s no words to accurately describe the colossal step back the Rockets’ defense has taken when they’re on the road where they’ve won only once in four games while allowing 125.3 points per game (!!!). All that leads to a mind-boggling overall point differential of -17.

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    • Everyone’s at fault within the Rockets’ organization. Even General Manager Daryl Morey, the statistical-genius that turned them into arguably the most efficient offense in the league while taking away all but two of their offensive weapons.

    However, as we look closer into their issues, we realize that their lack of success is mostly Dwight Howard’s fault. The Houston Rockets were extremely successful without Howard for half the season. And they had almost the same record with him than without him — 27-14 without Howard, 29-12 with Howard.

    After a couple of injury plagued seasons in the past three years, and the NBA’s history with injured big men, it is highly unlikely that Dwight Howard will ever be back to his Orlando Magic form. Which is, ironically, exactly what the Rockets need to have a chance during the series.

    Therefore, unfortunately for the Rockets, it is also unlikely that any team around the league will take their chances on a declining and super expensive (the Rockets owe him $45.5 million in the next two years) big man like Howard.

    Also…

    Due to the level of competition amongst the Western Conference, even with Harden and Howard bound to stay together for at least a couple more seasons, it will take nothing less than a miracle for the Houston Rockets’ current roster to perform at the level needed to come out of the West for a chance at the coveted NBA title.

    Next: What's Wrong With the Rockets?

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