The Rockets won an NBA-high 65 games in 2017/18, but despite placing ahead of the Warriors in the regular season, they were never able to supplant the defending champions for the title of the Western Conference’s best team, eventually losing to Golden State in the Western Finals.
Still, as the only club to seriously push the Warriors to the brink of elimination last season, Houston was the league’s clear-cut second-best team. And even though they lost key contributors like Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute over the summer, the Rockets entered 2018/19 widely viewed as the second-best team in the West again. When our writers made our predictions for the coming season, we all had Houston in the top two in the conference standings.
We’re only 10 days into the season and it’s too early to start panicking about the Rockets’ slow start, but nearly all the red flags raised during the club’s offseason have been on display so far. Carmelo Anthony and Michael Carter-Williams were considered unusual signings, and neither player has looked like an ideal fit in Houston through four games. The three-and-D abilities of Ariza and Mbah a Moute have been missed, with newcomers like James Ennis unable to replicate their production in the early going. As a result, the Rockets own a 1-3 record.
Now, again, there are plenty of reasons not to overreact to Houston’s start. The losses all came against tough Western teams – the Pelicans, Clippers, and Jazz – and Chris Paul missed two of those games due to a suspension. Plus, we expected it to take a little time for the Rockets’ newcomers to adjust. Nonetheless, as we debate the value of Houston’s reported trade offer for Jimmy Butler, it’s worth noting one reason why the team may be willing to surrender four first-round picks for Butler in the first place — they could really use him.
The Rockets’ perimeter defense has looked a little shaky with Ariza and Mbah a Moute no longer in the mix. And with Harden injured and Eric Gordon off to a slow start, another play-maker and 3-point shooter like Butler would really help open up the offense.
The Warriors are still the West’s No. 1 team until someone can beat them in the playoffs, but it looks like the No. 2 spot might be more wide open than we anticipated. The Timberwolves (2-3) and Thunder (0-4) have each also been a bit of a mess so far, and the Lakers (2-3) are still figuring things out, but the Pelicans (3-0) and Nuggets (4-1) have looked great, and the Trail Blazers (3-1) and Jazz (2-2) remain dangerous.
What do you think? Should we still consider the Rockets the second-best team in the West and be patient while they hit their stride, or is another club poised to knock them off that perch? Vote below and then head to the comment section to share your two cents!
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Everyone that voted no who do you think is better
Pelicans easy.
Agree- pelicans
It’s early, but Jazz may really give the West some problems this season.
Lakers!!!
Not the second best team today…..but will be by end of the season
Rockets are the 2nd best team in the West and it’s not even close. 5 games is not enough to judge anything.
Are the Spurs going to be so bad that they don’t even get a mention?
I mentioned more teams than I initially planned to, but I had to draw the line somewhere! I don’t think even Spurs optimists would consider them the second-best team in the West.
Jazz nuggets and spurs are all better than rockets.
I also think the Mavericks are the team that lands butler. If so it will be a toss up between them and rockets.
I think they will have the best chance to beat the Warriors; maybe not the second best overall record. I don’t think the regular season will be the same type of intense focus as the last two seasons. Assuming no Butler, I think they’ll make a trade to add a bigger (3/4) wing player at some point, but maybe not right away. They only have the assets to add one more piece without deducting, and I think that will be their goal. I’m ignoring the “Melo Effect” which was always a potential subtraction by addition.
Spurs or Nuggets might be better but it will take the Rockets to beat GSW. Of course the Rockets have to get to that series, no guarantees there
CP3 should have taken a pay cut so they could have signed Ariza.