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Houston Rockets: 2016-17 Season Outlook

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets are going all in on James Harden, Mike D’Antoni and the offense, but how much success will it lead to? Here’s their 2016-17 season outlook.

Houston Rockets
Apr 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) celebrates after scoring a basket during the third quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. The Rockets won 118-110. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

After securing the second seed in the West, making it all the way to the conference finals and being led by the MVP runner-up in 2014-15, it’s safe to say the Houston Rockets were pretty sick and tired of finishing second behind the Golden State Warriors.

Thanks to their disappointing 2015-16 season that saw them finish 41-41 and barely sneak into the playoffs, it’s safe to say the Rockets no longer have to worry about that problem. Heading into 2016-17, they’re simply trying to prove they can still contend in the future.

Despite James Harden slapping up a 29-7-6 stat line and the Rockets boasting a top-10 offense, the lackluster defensive effort from the Beard and the rest of his supporting cast ultimately doomed them to a first round playoff effort. From chemistry issues to poor three-point shooting, Houston failed to live up to expectations coming off the most promising season of the Harden era.

Related Story: New Orleans Pelicans: 2016-17 Season Outlook

Heading into the 2016-17 season, Houston has embraced Harden and the roster’s flaws, for better or for worse. Under head coach Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets and their new free agent additions will be gunning for a return to the playoffs in a high-octane offense, but will it be enough to cover the team’s inherent flaws on the defensive end?

Here’s a look at what to expect from Harden, D’Antoni, the high-powered Rockets offense and a dauntingly uninspired defense in 2016-17.

2015-16 Vitals

41-41, 4th in Southwest Division, 8th in Western Conference
106.5 PPG (4th)/106.4 OPP PPG (25th)
108.3 Offensive Rating (7th)/108.1 Defensive Rating (21st)

Team Leaders
Scoring: James Harden, 29.0 PPG
Rebounding: Dwight Howard, 11.8 RPG
Assists: James Harden, 7.5 APG
Steals: Trevor Ariza, 2.0 SPG
Blocks: Dwight Howard, 1.6 BPG

Honors
N/A

Next: Roster

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