For the past two years, the Rockets have lost in the Playoffs to the Warriors. In 2018, The Rockets lost to the Warriors in game 7, just one game away from making the NBA finals. Last year, they lost in 6 games. The Rockets have been on the brink of bringing a title back to Houston for a couple of years now…
This year, the Rockets are coming for redemption. And here’s how;
- James Harden is on another level.
- Russell Westbrook.
- No More Warriors.
James Harden is on another level
Ever since James Harden was traded to the Rockets in 2012, he has transformed into a Super Star-Player in this league while putting up very impressive numbers. He has brought the Houston Rockets to the Playoffs every single year. Over the past five seasons, James has averaged an insane 29 PPG, steadily increasing every year. In the past two seasons, James Harden has shown why he is the real NBA MVP. James Harden has put up outrageous numbers… numbers that haven’t been seen in ages. Last year, The Beard averaged 36.1 PPG. You’re probably thinking, “There’s no way he can improve from that! Especially when adding Russell Westbrook!” Yeah, I thought that too. Well, this year James is averaging 37.7 PPG… making him one of the greatest scorers in NBA history. We haven’t seen anything like this since MJ and Wilt Chamberlain. Not only that, but his play making and basketball IQ separates him from a lot of the other top players in the league. He can do it all. In his MVP season he averaged 9 assists a game, while also putting up 30 PPG. Placing James in a league of his own.
Take a look at what one of the leagues top defenders had to say:
I think if you asked multiple people who the most unstoppable player in the league is right now, it would be a toss-up between a healthy KD and [LeBron] James.
But if you ask me? It’s James Harden, for the win.
Jimmy Butler
Although many people hate the Rockets style of play, I find it entertaining. This team is pure offense…Number One in the league in total points per game at 119.2. Every play, the Rockets are looking to push the ball and they like to shoot a lot of 3 pointers. They are also Number One in the league with points from 3 pointers at 46.4 (almost half their points). At the end of the day, 3’s are worth more than 2 pointers… People may say “Defense wins championships”, but I say, “You can’t win a game without scoring more points than the other team.”
Russell Westbrook
In the past few years, I haven’t been the biggest fan of Russell Westbrook. Mainly stemming from his recklessness and decision making. Don’t get me wrong though, this guy is obviously a beast. There is not one player in the league that puts as much heart and effort into every single play. When he is on his own, he can single handily carry the team to a win. Russ proved this his MVP season in OKC, carrying the Thunder to the sixth seed in the west. He averaged a triple-double on the season with 31.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 10.7 APG. Pretty unbelievable to average that over an entire season. Only one other player has done this in NBA history: Oscar Robertson… way back in the 1960’s.
Anyways, with these two players reuniting back from their OKC days… and after developing their games over the years… I see them as the top duo in the league. Two God-Mode MVPs surrounded by shooters, role players, and one of the best rim running centers in the league. There’s really not much else you need. One thing I really respect from Russ this year is that he is actually taking a minor back seat to Harden. The Rockets are obviously Harden’s team, and Russell came here to do everything he can to help them win a championship. In a way, Russell is the key to them winning the title this year.
The Rockets are doing a perfect job at spreading Harden and Russell’s minutes. Since both of these players strive when running a team by themselves, it’s good to have one or the other in the game at all times. Usually, Harden will play out the entire first quarter, while Russ will come out midway through. Russ will then run the team until Harden is well rested enough to finish the second quarter. Similarly in the second half, but always finishing the the game off together. When these two are playing at their best, there’s literally no stopping them.
No More Warriors
Finally, the most stacked/over-powered team in NBA history is no more. A team that literally broke the league… A team that gave no other team in the league even the slightest of chances to win the championship. Yet, somehow the Rockets still given them a challenge. This team could have a terrible shooting night and still pull off a win. Stephen Curry could have the worst game of his life, still-win. You get my point, the Warriors for the past 5 seasons have created the one of the best Dynasties ever. They won three championships in five years and made the finals every single year. A truly amazing run.
The NBA has settled down now, and the power has once again spread throughout the league. There are honestly at least eight teams in the league that could have a chance at the title this year. Making the NBA entertaining again. Not to mention, the Warriors went from Ultimate Dynasty to Garbage Squad of the league, which makes it all a little better.
With all of this coming into play, I can see the Rockets finally taking a large step for mankind, and winning the NBA title.
Who do you think will win the NBA title this year?
