Houston Rockets: 5 Midseason Takeaways

2. Championship Contenders?

There’s no doubt the Western Conference is the tougher conference top to bottom in recent memory. And it seems to be the Golden State Warriors and the San Antonio Spurs usually stealing the headlines, but the Houston Rockets might have what it takes this year to win the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Currently sitting at third in the Western Conference, the Rockets are right where they want to be moving forward. Making it to the playoffs is one thing, but getting past the juggernauts atop the West, including said Warriors and Spurs, is another. That being said, the Rockets are more than equipped to take down them down come June.

Dwight Howard was supposed to be the piece that the Rockets needed the last three years but it didn’t quite click. Harden and Howard had their good moments but it seemed like turmoil lurked around every corner for the two power-hungry stars.

Since Howard’s departure, the Rockets have turned that corner that once was filled with turmoil, and they have found their groove, even with some young talent. Second-year man Sam Dekker, Clint Capela and Montrezl Harrell have all proven to be the rotation players to fit the Rockets’ offense.

With Harden’s ability to facilitate, the Rockets just need to ride his coat tails as they head towards the middle part of 2017.