NBA 2017/18: Why Houston Rockets are perfectly poised to go the distance

When the Houston Rockets traded for Chris Paul in the off-season, it was widely believed that the team might take a significant hit because they traded away so many role players. However, they have dispelled all those predictions in an emphatic manner. Houston is off to a 19-4 start which is one of the best records in NBA. The Rockets have won eight straight games including last night's 112-101 win on the road against the Utah Jazz.

Chris Paul was out some time with a bruised knee. He has only played in nine games this season for the Rockets. He's averaging 13 PPG 4.8 RPG and 10.1 APG. His back court buddy James Harden, is averaging 31.6 PPG 5.1 RPG and 9.4 APG. Those are MVP caliber numbers and maybe this is the year finally Harden will win the MVP Trophy.

Clint Capela is averaging 13.2 PPG and 11.2 RPG. Ryan Anderson is averaging 12.7 PPG. Trevor Ariza is averaging 11.4 PPG and 4.6 RPG. Ariza is also a very good defender.

Eric Gordon is averaging 18.9 PPG off the bench. Luc Mbah A Moute and Nene are both averaging around 7-8 PPG and 3 RPG off the bench.

Houston has good bench play and that is key to win a tough western conference with the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Rockets are averaging 114.0 points per game as a team and that is the second best in the NBA right behind the Golden State Warriors (117.8). Houston is ranked seventh in the NBA with giving up 102.7 points per game.

For a team that loves to score the ball, it is also vital that the Rockets play solid defense. I think Houston already has good chemistry and it will continue through out the regular season. It wouldn't be surprising if they played the Golden State Warriors in the western conference finals. Houston has the talent to win its first title since the 1994/95 season.