Why the Houston Rockets are on the road to be a contender in the west again

Okay I know what you're thinking, "how can the rockets go from being 41-41 to a contender to the west?"

This season the Rockets will probably be a lower seed but a much better team than they were last year with a more stable and experienced coaching staff with improved depth. Ultimately this season I think the Rockets at most will get around 54-50 wins but the key is staying healthy and consistent, mainly newly acquired players Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson, and Nene.

The main thing in my opinion that separates this years rockets team from last year is the opportunity to try out new players and young talent. Last year Kevin Mchale and JB Bickerstaff failed to acknowledge the young talent that they had on the bench in Montrezl Harrell and KJ McDaniels. Some other new talent that we will see in action this year is Tyler Ennis and Sam Dekker to provide play making in both positions that lacked efficiency and productivity.New coach Mike D'Antoni is not shy to run a offense or rotation with different players as long as its efficient. Most rockets fans also fail to acknowledge our undrafted rookies Gary Payton II, Kyle Wiltjer, and second round pick Zhouz Qi.Even though we will most likley not see these rookies play this season, it gives them the opportunity to develop their game in prestigious organizations like the Rio Grande Valley Vipers (Rockets D-League affiliate and Xinjiang Flying Tigers (Chinese Basketball league).

I'm not expecting the rockets to be a super team like the warriors this season but Daryl Morey did a good job in signing players to compliment Harden and the Rockets offense unlike last year where Harden carried most of the offensive burden. The Rockets have been critiqued for their lack of defense despite most of the young talent on the roster being stud defensive players. Clint Capela is a automatic shot blocker and offensive rebounder, KJ McDaniels is a strong aggressive perimeter defender and can make athletic blocks on smaller guards, chinanu onuaku like capela is a amazing post defender, glass cleaner, and shot blocker, and last Gary Payton II like his father is a bulldog hard nose defender.

Be on the lookout the next couple of seasons for the rockets developing talent and improving leadership of James Harden and the Rockets soon will be one of the top in the west.