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Luxury tax may have restricted the Houston Rockets from making serious moves this summer to be in a better position of finally pulling off the biggest upset of all-time —dethroning the two-time defending champions Golden State Warriors — but coach Mike D’Antoni may have gotten away with a couple of deals that could turn the tide in their favor and make most basketball experts eat their words.
Let us take a closer look at the team who could have ended the Warriors’ reign had they brought even a little below-average three-point shooting percentage in one of the close-out games in last season’s West finals.
Off-season activity
Losing Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute has raised a lot of eyebrows and although the Rockets have added Carmelo Anthony, James Ennis, Michael Carter-Williams, Brandon Knight, and Marquesse Chriss to fill the void, most observers are quick to argue that Houston have just lost significant depth in their rotation.
By letting go of Trevor Ariza, undoubtedly a gem of a two-way player who despite taking tough assignments on defense still managed to shoot nearly 37 percent from beyond the arc last season, and failing to strike a deal with Mbah a Moute, who may have lost a little effectiveness due to shoulder injuries last season but nonetheless could still be an anchor of their switch-everything defensive game plan, the Rockets have practically lost significant depth on both ends as they take on a very tough assignment of bringing down an upgraded Golden State Warriors.
Squad Weaknesses
However, the defense took a dive when they lost Ariza and Mbah a Moute to free-agency and having acquired a questionable defender like Carmelo Anthony. Clint Capela remains a defensive monster in the paint having re-signed with the team in the summer but he needs help from every other position.
It is doubtful whether Zhou Qi could turn himself into a legit NBA shot blocker even with an impressive performance in the last Asian Games in case D’Anthoni begins giving him longer floor time. It will take a lot of works for the Rockets to re-evaluate their defensive outlook for this season. If Houston hopes to have a return ticket to the Western Conference finals, the Rockets must spend most of their energy ensuring they do not lag way behind the likes of San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors defensively.
Team Strengths
The duo of James Harden and Chris Paul definitely comprises one of the best backcourts in the league today having dominated everybody else last season, including the GSW’s. If Chris Paul remains healthy in the first year of his four-year, $160 million maximum deal, and James Harden maintains his MVP form, the Houston Rockets are definitely bound to another sterling season.
Michael Carter-Williams could alternate with Brandon Knight to give Paul a quality backup job at the point, while Eric Gordon may come off the bench and do the damage every time James Harden sits.
With Clint Capela having blossomed into a legit offensive threat, he could provide much lift offensively and make the defense less focused on stopping Houston’s main gunners. Throw in the potential contributions of one named Carmelo Anthony into the equation and Houston becomes more formidable.
Opportunities and Threats
Mike D’Antoni could be pinning his hopes of complementing his two superstars on having gigantic career resurrections of their new recruits.
Michael Carter-Williams, who signed a one-year minimum deal, was a former ROY who may have just find a home where he can become his explosive old self once more given enough minutes behind Chris Paul and probably, Brandon Knight, who himself could be a worthy back up with his career 15.2 ppg and 4.3 apg clip.
And of course, although being almost a forgotten superstar who has become less and less effective in the last couples of seasons, Carmelo Anthony, may find the right chemistry with James Harden and Chris Paul and form their own version of Big Three, after failing to hit it off with Russell Westbrook and Paul George in Oklahoma last season.
Potentially, Melo could be the ace up D’Antoni’s sleeve this time although their partnership in New York several seasons ago was far from being impressive. The 34-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist and the 2012-2013 NBA scoring champion can find a way to play good music with James and Paul together and prove doubters wrong. His disappointing stints with the Knicks and recently with the Oklahoma City Thunder, could fuel his drive to finally ‘mellow’ into a complementary player who would make a huge difference in Houston’s ambitious quest.
Predictions for the Season
While all the attention is focused on the Lakers this season, outside of the Golden State Warriors, due to the LeBron James factor, the Rockets could be spared from the pressure of being a heavy favorite to dethrone the Warriors, thanks to their unimpressive off-season shake-up and silently working their way to the top while no one is looking.
In my opinion, depending on how well Carmelo Anthony blends in with Houston’s main guys and how well LeBron could carry the Lakers in his shoulders, the Rockets could win 55-60 games this season and make a return to the Western Conference finals, although they would still fall short.
Guess the Lakers players!
