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Playoff Picture: Houston Rockets

By Luke Duffy

Feb 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) ,center Dwight Howard (12) forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard Jason Terry (31) celebrate against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 113 to 102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) ,center Dwight Howard (12) forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard Jason Terry (31) celebrate against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Toyota Center. Rockets won 113 to 102. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) runs up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 2, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) runs up court during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Potential X-Factor

Dwight Howard

I thought about putting Smith here, but he was meant to be a regular season X-factor for this team, a real coup at the time. While he’s stayed out of the spotlight with regards to negative press, a plus for player and team, he’s hardly set the league on notice that he’s a real threat either. He’s fit in quietly and nicely, and it’s all Houston could have hoped for.

So it’s got to be Howard. I questioned a little while ago whether the Orlando Magic actually cut ties with him at the perfect time, as he’s gotten no better as a player and injuries have slowed him down since leaving the team. Heading into this postseason, expectations about what he bring to this team are as low as they’ve been at any point in his career. This is Harden’s team now.

So what better time than now to remind everybody you’re still the best big man in the league on any given night. Deferring to Harden on the offensive end, as he seems to have accepted anyway, while selflessly defending with the ferocity we know he can.

Averaging a double-double in the postseason is not crazy talk, and doing so would give opponents real headaches, as they are forced to send extra defensive cover on both Howard and Harden. Winning his personal duels with a DeAndre Jordan or a Marc Gasol would benefit this team hugely as well.

Next: Is This Team Really The Real Deal?

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