Houston Rockets: 5 keys to contending in 2017-18

After an eventful offseason, the Houston Rockets are one of the best teams in the NBA. What are some keys to contending for an NBA championship in 2017-18?

When discussing the contenders in the NBA that can threaten the status quo, one of the first teams mentioned is the Houston Rockets. The team is coming off a 55-win season and second round playoff loss, but added Chris Paul and a slew of very good defenders to the roster.

The Rockets have two top-10 players sharing the same backcourt, elite shooters, quality defenders, and a very good head coach looking to guide them to postseason success. So naturally, the Rockets come up in the “contender” discussion.

However, as with all teams, there are keys to the Rockets’ upcoming season — keys that will make or break Houston’s 2017-18 campaign as they look to challenge the Golden State Warriors.

The Rockets had a significant roster overhaul this summer, and surely return with a better defensive team. But what other effects will their offseason have on their roster? Can they stay healthy for the duration of the season? Will the new teammates get along well enough to succeed? These are just some of the questions they must answer.

Unlike last season, Houston enters the year with a lot of pressure. Paul’s lack of sustained playoff success is at the top of the list, but up and down the roster there are players looking to prove themselves.

Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at five keys to the Rockets contending in 2017-18.