3 Reasons The Houston Rockets Can Win It All
Wednesday February 25,2014 : NBA Betting: 3 Reasons The Houston Rockets Can Win It All
When the Houston Rockets signed Jeremy Lin, it was a first step in the right direction that was criticized by the NBA experts around the league. The following summer they traded for James Harden. Then, this past summer, they signed Dwight Howard. The Rockets have spent the past three years loading up on talent and with 38 wins already this season, they have shown they have the necessary pieces in place to challenge for an NBA Championship.
Notable Reason #1: Harden Is The Most Underrated Star In The NBA
Houston has done an excellent job of loading up on talent over the past few years, and the biggest move of them all was trading for one of the game’s most underrated stars in James Harden. Oklahoma City Thunder fans are still thinking about what could have been had they held on to Harden, who has ranked among the NBA’s leading scorers in each of the last two years since being moved. Harden led the Rockets with an average of 25.9 points per game last year, and has scored a team-high 24.3 points per game this season despite dealing with nagging injuries. Houston needs those types of numbers in order to go up against the best from the Western Conference, including Kevin Durant and the Thunder, and as long as Harden is healthy come playoff time they will have their man.
Notable Reason #2: Howard Is A Dominant Inside Presence At Both Ends
There was so much talk about Dwight Howard and whether or not he was on the decline last year in Los Angeles, but those whispers have been quieted since he joined the Rockets. Howard is happy now, and he is also much healthier after dealing with nagging injuries all of last season. The All-Star center has re-established his self as one of the league’s elite big men, averaging 18.3 points and a team-high 12.6 boards to lead a Houston team that suddenly ranks fifth in the NBA in rebounding. The Rockets need Howard’s strength and size on the interior, especially when it comes to taking pressure off of their outside shooters, and taking care of business on defense with an average of two blocks per game.
Notable Reason #3: A Strong Supporting Cast Is In Place
Even with Harden and Howard leading the way, Houston will need the strong secondary scoring that has put up solid numbers all season to be at its best. Lin has averaged 12.8 points per game to go with 4.5 assists, accepting his role as an excellent secondary option on this team. Chandler Parsons and Terrence Jones have each averaged over 10 points per game, and both players bring to the table an excellent combination of size and outside shooting ability. Patrick Beverley has stepped up when injuries have required him to do so, and role players like Omer Asik and Francisco Garcia are also serviceable when needed. The Rockets have the elite talent they need to challenge for a title, and the depth they have is an underrated reason why they can win it all this season.
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