NBA: 30 Storylines Driving The 2015-16 Season

Jan 23, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) and center Dwight Howard (12) in the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Rockets – Staying Healthy/Helping Harden

Let’s start with the first part of their storyline for the season, because quite frankly it directly impacts the second. The Houston Rockets have had a number of issues with injuries dating back to the turn of the century. Last season though, the inability to stay healthy reared its head once more in Houston and resulted in a number of players missing lengthy stretches.

Injuries kept Dwight Howard‘s production throughout the season limited. Granted his injury troubles began a few seasons prior while he was still a member of the Orlando Magic (and then the Los Angeles Lakers). Patrick Beverly was forced out of action prior to the start of the playoffs, which led to guys like Pablo Prigioni and Jason Terry trying to make up for his absence.

At the first ever Players Awards this offseason, James Harden was voted the league’s Most Valuable Player by his peers. Not to discount the incredible performance by Stephen Curry, but his team was stacked with consistent contributors and for the most part remained healthy year round. Harden, on the other hand, seemed to put the entire Rockets organization on his back as he marched to the playoffs. Now, the Rockets must look to help him out as much as they can in the upcoming campaign.

Dwight Howard needs to reaffirm his position as a nightmare in the paint on both ends of the floor. The Rockets don’t need him to be the No. 1 option on the floor each night, but at the very least he needs to anchor the defense and maintain his standing as a nightly double-double threat.

Beverly now finds himself fighting for minutes with the gifted playmaker, Ty Lawson.

Next: Spurs: Still Intact, With Reinforcements