Last week, the NBA announced its All-NBA teams for the 2020 season. The Houston Rockets were well represented, with both members of their starting backcourt making the lists. James Harden was named to the first team and Russell Westbrook was named to the third team. However, individual success aside, the Rockets failed to reach their ultimate goal this season: an NBA championship. This is the third consecutive season Houston has started off with legitimate title aspirations. They’ve come up short every time. This is a big off-season for the Rockets to try and remain title contenders.
The Houston Rockets Off-Season Towards Title Contention
The Houston Rockets Will Have a New Coach Next Season
The day after suffering a season-ending loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, head coach Mike D’Antoni announced that he would not be coming back next season. This announcement raises several important questions. What are the dynamics within Houston’s organization that led D’Antoni to simply walk away from a team he’s been at the helm of for the past four seasons? More importantly, who are the leading candidates for the Rocket’s coaching vacancy now that D’Antoni is gone? Head coaching changes have already been a hot topic this postseason. Some of the big-name free agents available include David Fizdale and Mark Jackson. It will be interesting to see if Houston goes with one of these highly endorsed former head coaches or instead chooses to give a well-respected first timer a shot.
Mike D’Antoni’s Downfall
One of the controversial decisions Mike D’Antoni made this past season was to fully embrace “small-ball.” The only true center on Houston’s roster was Tyson Chandler, a veteran whose best days are clearly behind him and who registered more “DNP Coaches’ decision” than any other stat this year. Sometimes, going as far as putting the 6’5” PJ Tucker at center, the Rockets’ superior quickness posed problems for their opposition.
In contrast, this style also put the Rockets at a huge rebounding disadvantage as was evident against the Lakers. The lone Houston victory in the series came in Game 1, which happens to be the only game in which the Rockets won the rebounding battle. In turn the Lakers dominated the glass in games, 2-5, out-rebounding the Rockets by a total of 56 rebounds in those contests, or an average of 14 boards per game. To top it off, LA’s superstar big man, Anthony Davis, had a field day, averaging 25.4 points and 12.4 rebounds for the series. One can’t help but wonder if keeping Clint Capela would’ve provided a big who could at least slow Davis down and decrease the Lakers’ advantage on the boards.
Shortcomings of the Houston Rockets
Leaders are always scrutinized when a team fails to reach its goals. In Houston the responsibility of leading falls on the shoulders of James Harden. Not only did he make first team All-NBA this season, he also led the league in scoring. However, since becoming the centerpiece of Houston’s team in 2012, Harden hasn’t been able to get them past the Western Conference Finals. Fans are starting to wonder is Harden the kind of franchise player a team can contend with? If not, he wouldn’t be the first high scoring guard capable of winning multiple scoring titles but unable to lead a team to a title (i.e. George Gervin).
However, Harden isn’t the only player whose style of play is being questioned after Houston’s early demise. This season, Westbrook was both an All-Star and a third-team All-NBA player. However, he didn’t prove to be the second superstar the Rockets needed in order to get over the hump. Westbrook’s other-worldly athleticism has always been a problem for opposing teams. Meanwhile, his shot selection has often been a problem for his own.
The Rockets traded Clint Capela to open the middle and allow Westbrook to take advantage of the driving lanes. There were times after the trade where he was able to do exactly that. But ultimately it didn’t appear to give Houston the edge over the elite teams in the West. Years ago, Harden used to come off the bench to relieve Westbrook of minutes in Oklahoma City. Perhaps it is time to consider that these two stars should not be part of the same lineup.
The Western Conference Will Be Even Tougher Next Season
The bad news for Rockets fans is that things won’t get any easier next season. LeBron James isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. Anthony Davis is in his prime and will be a problem for years to come. The Denver Nuggets have proven their young duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray makes them a serious threat to come out of the West. The Los Angeles Clippers are fresh off an early exit and will be eager to prove they are legit contenders. Not to mention that Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green will be hungry to remind everyone that the Golden State Warriors are still a threat. Houston could have a great season and still find themselves with the fifth-best record in the West and no home court advantage. The West might just be too loaded with good teams for the Rockets to make it out.
Changes That Should Be Made
Houston’s high scoring guard trio of James Harden, Russell Westbrook and Eric Gordon are all 31 years old. They’ve lost in the Conference Semifinals each of the last two seasons. Other teams in the West seem to be getting better every year. The Rockets traded away assets to embrace an unconventional style of play. That means they may have no choice but to run it back next season and see what kind of results they end up with. Their lack of size is a disadvantage on the boards. No one on the roster is an elite wing defender. They let Trevor Ariza walk away in free agency two summers ago. They will be under new leadership next season as the coach who masterminded their current scheme is walking away.
Several changes are needed if Houston is to win featuring the back-court of Harden and Westbrook. They need big men who can rebound and protect the rim. Knockdown shooters must provide spacing as a threat when the guards draw double teams. They need perimeter defenders who can disrupt the opposing teams primary ball-handlers. It may seem like a tall task, but those are the things this team needs to compete. If not, they’re going to have to look at the age and health of their stars and figure out if it’s time for a rebuild. Houston, we have a problem.
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