Houston Rockets: 5 takeaways from the 2018-19 NBA season

1. Houston still holds the closest torch to Golden State

If the regular season means anything to anyone, Houston’s performances against the defending champs during the year showed that the Rockets boast the best competitive matchup against the defending champs. They’ve also given them their toughest playoff matchup yet, not allowing the Dubs to ever once blow them out in typical Warriors fashion this postseason.

Although the Los Angeles Clippers stretched their first round series against Golden State to six games, no other team has really pushed them to the fringe like the Rockets. No Eastern Conference team — at least until they face the Milwaukee Bucks or Toronto Raptors — has had the chance to show they have a fighting shot at downing the Warriors. It’s been evident that only Houston has really made things challenging for them, and Steve Kerr‘s squad makes it just as much of a priority to beat the Rockets as any team.

This is promising for Houston, which has its core locked in for at least the next four years, and can continue to challenge the Warriors and hopefully fulfill Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s vow to win a championship soon.

With sights set on next season, Houston has a lot to be happy about from this year, but much, much more to improve on.