5 Reasons Why The Houston Rockets Can Win The West

Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and guard James Harden (13) and guard Patrick Beverley (2) slap hands after a score against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter at Wells Fargo Center. The Houston Rockets won123-118. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Rockets have underwhelmed as a whole the past couple of seasons, despite making it to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago. It seems like this year, however, could be the year that they make it to the NBA Finals.

The Houston Rockets (40-17) haven’t been to an NBA Finals since the 1994-95 season but they finally have the pieces around superstar James Harden to make a Finals run.

The Rockets have been consistent in making the playoff the previous four seasons, but they’ve only gotten past the opening round once in that time span.

They’ve been lacking role players that can actually produce. This is the year that they can finally not only make an NBA Finals, but have a fighting shot at bringing H-Town a championship that is long overdue.

Harden is having an absolutely incredible season after moving to the point guard position in the offseason under first year head coach Mike D’Antoni.

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Averaging 29.1 points, 11.3 assists and 8.2 rebounds per game, all of which rank in the top three for point guards, Harden is more-or-less the favorite to bring home the MVP trophy.

Again, what’s made the Rockets’ season so intriguing this year is that they’re winning games and Harden has a supporting cast around him that’s raised his level of play.

Veterans Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon were enormous pickups in the offseason, while youngsters at the center position have been blossoming every time they take the hardwood.

The Rockets can finally get out of the West for the first time in 22 years and here are five reasons why: