NBA Playoffs 2013: Houston Rockets Playoff Profile

James Harden will not only provide scoring this postseason but invaluable playoff experience. Photo Credit: Angel Blue, Flickr.com

It feels like a long time since the Houston Rockets were last in the playoffs. Finally this year they are returning to the postseason as one of the league’s most exciting teams.

Houston is finally out of no-man’s land this season. Last year they were right on the verge of making the playoffs and had several solid players like Goran Dragic, Kyle Lowry and Kevin Martin. However, most of their players were looked at as potential trading chips for the offseason or as expiring contracts.

Seeing the Rockets return to the playoffs is a positive thing for fans who love the game. They have a long-time history of compiling competitive teams with exciting stars (think Hakeem Olajuwon, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming). The last time they made the playoffs was in 2009 when they defeated the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round and then lost an emotional and competitive series to the eventual champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Rockets finished  with a 45-37 record and will be the eighth seed in the Western Conference. However, in the Southwest Division, the Rockets have a record of only 6-10. To put that in proper comparison, the Charlotte Bobcats (who had the league’s second-worst record) boast an identical divisional record. Although the Rockets are in a far tougher division, as a playoff team more is expected of them than the lowly Bobcats.

There is no denying that his team is exceptionally talented and loaded with potential. Which team-members are most responsible for their growth? Let us take a look at the team leaders and find out.

Team Leaders (Per Game): 

Points: James Harden 25.9

Rebounds: Omer Asik 11.7

Assists: Jeremy Lin 6.1

Steals: James Harden 1.8

Blocks: Omer Asik 1.1

Emotional Leader: Kevin McHale

Right now the Rockets are one of the youngest teams in the league. Most of these guys are still finding themselves while exploring and expanding their games. Finding an emotional leader on this team is tough as most of them are soft-spoken and team-oriented guys.

However, this season of  redemption and growth has not been easy by any means. One of the greatest obstacles this team faced was when the Coach Kevin McHale’s daughter passed away this season. McHale took a leave of absence to grieve and his presence was undoubtedly missed. The team went as a group to the funeral to support their coach as well as one another and they really seemed to come together as a unit since. The experience strengthened their bond and their beliefs in McHale’s preachings and schemes.

McHale believes in his players and they believe in him. If you watch the Rockets you will have little trouble seeing the emotional impact that McHale brings to this team.

Player to watch: SG James Harden

This seems like a cop-out answer as James Harden is the current furry face of the Houston Rockets’ franchise. However, he is one of the most exciting players in the league to watch as well as one of the most talented and efficient. In fact, with Kobe Bryant out, Harden may be the best shooting guard going into these playoffs.

Another factor that contribute to Harden’s increased value to the Rockets is his playoff experience. No one in the starting lineup has played more meaningful playoff minutes then Harden. Asik was on some very good Bulls teams but he played sparingly behind Joakim Noah. Last season Harden was one of the driving forces that pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder all the way to the NBA Finals.

Harden’s Finals performance was disappointing to say the least. After the Thunder lost in the Finals it was time for Harden’s contract to be extended. What followed has been one of the most controversial decisions of Sam Presti’s tenure as general manager of  the Thunder. The Thunder declined on giving Harden a max contract and traded him away.

Harden has since proved his immense value this season and proved that he is in a fact a max-contract player. Harden was going to go into the playoffs with a chip on his shoulder after his last postseason performance. Now that he is facing the team that dumped him off, Harden will without a doubt be looking for revenge on his former team.

Kevin Durant is the face of the defending Western Conference champions, who happen to be James Harden’s former team. Photo Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr.com

First-Round Matchup: 

In a surprising turn of events the Lakers have managed to steal the seventh seed in the Western Conference from the Rockets on Wednesday, April 17.  This has ensured that not only will one of the most entertaining possible matchups happen in the first round, but one of the most emotional matchups as well.

Were it not for Harden, the Thunder never would have made the Finals last season. He was one of the best assets the Thunder had and another “go to” guy in the clutch. James Harden was the third building piece for the Thunder along with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Now, Harden is the enemy.

Omer Asik is the lone defensive presence on the Houston Rockets. (Flickr.com photo by thepanamerican)

This series should be wildly entertaining. Both teams like to play in transition and run the floor. The Thunder have two of the league’s best finishers in Durant and Westbrook while the Rockets have a multitude of gunners who like to spread the floor in Chandler Parsons, Carlos Delfino and of course James Harden as well as others.

The difference in this series will be the Thunder defense. The Thunder will be able to keep up with the Rocket’s fast paced offense and should score with relative ease. The Rockets have one of the league’s most efficient offenses however, the shot-blocking-monster known as Serge Ibaka will give cause make Rocket players hesitate while taking the ball to the hoop.

In addition to Ibaka’s shot blocking the Thunder have multiple players who are defensive menaces including Kendrick Perkins, Thabo Sefolosha, Russell Westbrook and even the ever-improving Kevin Durant.

Prediction:

As mentioned prior, the Thunder’s defense will will them this series. It is well-documented that defense wins playoff games and although the Rockets have made impressive strides this year in their development as a team, their defense is still lacking.

The Thunder should win the series in six games at most. Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the host of Thunder defenders will be too much this year for the still-developing Rockets. However, this should be exceptional experience going forward for such a young team. Look for them to play hard and provide terrific entertainment before going into the offseason.