Houston Rockets: 2016-17 Season Outlook, Predictions

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Oct 19, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) controls the ball during the fourth quarter as Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) defends at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Pelicans 120-100. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Best-Case Scenario

Harden’s early signs of leadership are no mirage, with the Beard finally stepping forward as a charismatic, supportive teammate for the duration of the 2016-17 season. The refinement in his attitude is infectious, and it’s the key reason behind Houston’s drastic one-year turnaround.

The rest of the Rockets buy in as Harden goes back to actually trying on the defensive end. It’s not enough to change the team’s destiny as a mediocre defense due to its personnel, but the Rockets surprisingly finish in the middle of the pack for defensive rating with everyone actually putting in effort on that end.

Under D’Antoni’s fast-paced system, Harden flourishes, averaging 30+ points and at least eight assists per game to garner some legitimate MVP chatter. With Anderson and Gordon both shooting 40 percent or better from three-point range, defenses have a hellacious time trying to defend a far more potent and entertaining Rockets onslaught.

Capela takes the leap in Year 3, establishing himself as one of the league’s best young rim protectors. Trevor Ariza and Corey Brewer improve their three-point accuracy with so many wide open looks and the Rockets win around 50 games to secure home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Though Houston once again falls short of a title, they make another surprising run to the conference finals, where the Warriors knock them out for the third year in a row. Still, Harden’s career year and the Rockets’ success are a boon for Houston in free agency, helping them add more star talent and perhaps a little more defense to build a legitimate contender moving forward.

Worst-Case Scenario

The Rockets fizzle to another .500 season, with their bottom-five defense being the culprit behind their first season of missing the playoffs in the James Harden era.

With Harden’s typical lapses on the defensive end and Anderson/Gordon’s inability to guard anyone, Patrick Beverley and a still developing Clint Capela can hardly stem the tide of continuous buckets for opposing teams. Capela struggles under the pressure of being the team’s main rim protector while Anderson and Gordon fail to stay healthy once again.

Harden’s lack of leadership leads to friction with an embattled coach D’Antoni, who starts getting defensive in what looks like the third failed stint of his post-Suns career. The Beard puts up terrific individual numbers, but once again toils away offensively, slacks off defensively and misses out on the major accolades and awards because of his team’s lack of success.

Houston wins 41 games again, which isn’t enough to make the playoffs in an improved Western Conference, and Harden continues to draw criticism about his status as an NBA superstar.

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