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Houston Rockets: Better Than The Spurs?

By Mauricio Putz

Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Spurs won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball as San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. The Spurs won 104-103. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The San Antonio Spurs have been one of the most active teams during the offseason, whereas the Houston Rockets are having one of the most quiet and uneventful offseasons in the league. But that’s not necessarily what will eventually dictate each team’s success, or lack thereof, throughout the season.

There’s still plenty of time to make a big move, and with the new salary cap, the Houston Rockets have plenty of cash to land even some of the top free agents in the league.

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But as of right now, are the Rockets better than the Spurs?

In a word, no.

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Yes, the San Antonio Spurs are old. How old? Old as dirt, probably. However, the Spurs have been this way for a while — for at least four years we’ve been “waiting” for the

larger than life

Spurs to finally lose the step they should’ve lost a while ago.

(Again — we don’t want it to happen because the Spurs play one of the most beautiful versions of basketball in the league, but it always does. Well, almost always … see, I’m doing it again.)

Unfortunately for the rest of the NBA, the 2015-16 Spurs are far from your dad’s Spurs. No, they are slowly setting everything up for Kawhi Leonard to take over once Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili decide to ride off into the sunset.

Also, as a team that has won at least 50 games for 20 of the last 22 seasons, the team is, and will continue to be for years to come, one of the most attractive free agent destinations in the league — just ask four-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge.

For the 2014-15 season, the Spurs shot took a Daryl Morey-like approach on offense by following on the Houston Rockets’ footsteps and getting rid of the mid-range jumper. However, after signing LaMarcus Aldridge and David West, the Spurs look even better than they did back in 2013-14 when they singlehandedly killed basketball in Miami.

2014-15 San Antonio Spurs

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2014-15 LaMarcus Aldridge + David West

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(Note: Brace yourselves, the Spurs are coming.)

On the other hand, the Houston Rockets have had quite an uneventful offseason. Their most notable move was to re-sign Patrick Beverley, a key backcourt piece that could’ve improved their chances against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

Other than that, the Rockets seem to be reeling it back as they try to make a run for Kevin Durant come 2016. (More on that here.)

Even through an injury-plagued season, the Houston Rockets still managed to get the second seed in one of the most talented Western Conferences in years. And they even reached the Western Conference Finals after becoming the ninth team in NBA history to overcome a 3-1 deficit.

All of that thanks to a rather historic season-long performance from James Harden, one of the deepest rosters, and arguably the smartest offense in the league.

However, as good as they are, the Houston Rockets seem to be betting that they’ll have a healthier/luckier season than they did last year — and they probably will — instead of making even the slightest of moves that could help them face the unforeseen amount of adversity that comes with the tolling NBA season.

Overall, the Rockets are not better nor more experienced than the San Antonio Spurs, however, they are younger and — probably — hungrier than them. And with a season under their belts, the Rockets’ young core will likely be way better for the upcoming season.

Will that be enough to finally capture an NBA title? With the Western Conference in their way, who the hell knows.

Next: Going After Durant Will Ruin the 2015-16 Rockets

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