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The Houston Rockets ended the 2020-21 NBA season as the worst team, with a 17-55 run. What seemed like a slow start to the season degenerated into an increasingly horror show.
Given how frequent and recurring the losses were, many accused the franchise of tanking to have a favorable pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. However, the general manager of the Houston Rockets, Rafael Stone, has addressed the issue and promised that the losses were in no way intentional.
How the Houston Rockets can improve ahead of the 2021-22 season
The off=season is the perfect opportunity for the Houston Rockets to reflect and strategize heading into the new season. Although the departure of James Harden was a huge blow for the franchise, things were already going terribly for the Rockets before the Harden trade in January.
Harden's absence was acutely felt because the Houston Rockets failed to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Injuries also played a significant role in their abysmal season, as the injury bug ravaged the Rockets' roster.
On that note, here's a look at the three biggest needs the Houston Rockets must address in the 2021 NBA off-season:
#1 Acquire a worthy replacement for James Harden
James Harden was the leader of the Houston Rockets team for eight years, so his departure left a huge void in the roster. He was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in what was a blockbuster four-team deal that included the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Indiana Pacers.
Things ground to a halt for the Houston Rockets on the court following the James Harden trade. The All-Star wanted a team that could contend for the championship but was not getting that and was growing increasingly frustrated.
Although there were players who could fill Harden's position, none were as prolific as Harden. With the off-season around the corner, the Houston Rockets would look to strengthen their backcourt with a worthy replacement.
The Houston Rockets were lucky in the 2021 Draft Lottery and have the second pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, coupled with other first-round picks received from the James Harden trade. The Rockets are in a good position to select a youngster who could bring the ball up the court.
Free agency is also an option for the Houston Rockets to get an experienced guard. Players like Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie and Lonzo Ball are a few options who might be a good fit.
#2 The Houston Rockets need to stay healthy
Injuries were a major challenge for the Houston Rockets, as they rotated 30 players in the 2020-21 NBA regular season. Players were dropping like flies on the court as they struggled to stay healthy.
Christian Wood, who was the team's focal point in offense, missed a significant number of games in the regular season. He was absent for 32 games due to a right ankle injury but averaged 21 points, 9.6 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
Victor Oladipo, in his short stint with the franchise, was also sidelined due to injury and was unable to feature in back-to-back games due to the same reason. John Wall, Eric Gordon and Kevin Porter Jr. were also notable names who were sidelined due to various injuries.
With the injuries overlapping, it was difficult for the Houston Rockets to find their rhythm either in offense or defense, as the coaching staff did not have much to work with in rotation. The introduction of Kelly Olynyk provided a spark in the Houston Rockets' offense, but his efforts were not enough to lead the team to more victories.
With most of their starting lineup having recovered now, staying healthy will be a priority for the Houston Rockets, as that will play a significant role in how they fare in the 2021-22 season.
#3 The Houston Rockets need to create a new identity
The Houston Rockets flat out fell apart in the 2020-21 NBA season. As things stand, they are seen as the worst team in the league, with many not taking cognizance of the fact that injuries played a massive role in derailing their campaign.
Stephen Silas had the worst job in his first year as the head coach of the Houston Rockets. He had to deal with losing the team's most important player and also find a way to play with a depleted roster.
Silas will have an opportunity to rebuild his team the way he sees fit ahead of the 2021-22 season.
He was a part of the coaching staff that led the Dallas Mavericks to the highest offensive rating in NBA history in the 2019-20 season. But he failed to replicate that at the Houston Rockets, who were the third-worst team, both in offensive rating (107.1) and defensive rating (114.9) in 2020-21.
While he did not have much to work with in the 2020-21 season, Silas has a unique opportunity to turn things around and create his identity.
Guess the Lakers players!
