Houston Rockets: 2017-18 NBA season preview

The Houston Rockets enter the 2017-18 NBA season as championship contenders. Let’s break down their upcoming season in more detail.

After an unexpected 55 win season and second round playoff elimination last season, the Houston Rockets enter the new NBA season as a consensus title contender. Though in a league with the Golden State Warriors, that really just means they’re a Western Conference Finals contender.

The Rockets had a flashy and successful offseason, and look to build on the success that Mike D’Antoni and James Harden led last year. After many doubted the hiring of D’Antoni and the subsequent free agent signings of Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, the success Houston had surprised many.

After a very disappointing 2015-16 campaign, The Rockets flew under-the-radar and used their high-powered offense and (essentially) league-average defense to guide them to the third seed in the Western Conference. Although the season ended in very disappointing fashion, Daryl Morey, D’Antoni and Harden had been vindicated and proved that it truly was a match made in heaven.

2016-17 Vitals

55-27, 2nd in Southeast Division, 3rd in Western Conference
115.3 PPG (2nd)/109.6 OPP PPG (26th)
111.8 Offensive Rating (2nd)/106.4 Defensive Rating (18th)

Team Leaders

Scoring:  James Harden, 29.1 PPG
Rebounding:  James Harden, 8.1 RPG
Assists:  James Harden, 11.2 APG
Steals:  Trevor Ariza, 1.8 SPG
Blocks:  Clint Capela, 1.2 BPG

Honors:

All-NBA First Team:  James Harden
All-Defensive First Team:  Patrick Beverley
All-Star:  James Harden
Sixth Man of the Year:  Eric Gordon
Coach of the Year:  Mike D’Antoni