Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day

1. Expectations are high once again

Despite coming into last year with a myriad of speculation surrounding how their star-studded backcourt and new insertions would fit alongside one another, the Houston Rockets managed to take the next step in their climb toward contender status by playing arguably their finest stretch of basketball.

James Harden’s MVP campaign — combined with the rise of Clint Capela and seamless addition of Chris Paul — helped guide Clutch City to 60-plus wins for the first time in franchise history, while nearly pulling off one of the greatest upsets of the decade.

Now, Houston finds itself right back at square one all over again, as the franchise that proved to be must-see television a season ago expects to compete for a championship in 2019.

"“We’re definitely a better team,” Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta told reporters at Media Day. “Anything less than a Western Conference Finals would be a disappointment.”"

Although Fertitta’s remarks in regards to this year’s Rockets squad being better than last season’s remain to be seen, there is no doubt that his thoughts have managed to successfully work themselves all the way down from the front office to the locker room, as many players also echoed the same sentiments throughout the latter portion of the event.

"“We all have one goal,” Harden said when asked about Houston’s goals for this season. “Gotta win the [championship]…..we kind of know what it takes to almost get there, but we haven’t gotten there yet, so that’s more motivation and drive for all of us.” “Once you make it to the Western Conference Finals, all you hear is you guys had a great season…I’m tired of that.”"

The Rockets’ march toward an NBA title begins with the opening of training camp at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana.