2. Houston Rockets
X-Factor: Chris Paul
Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey knew his team was several steps away from competing with the likes of Golden State. The trade for Chris Paul likely brought his team much closer. The Western Conference became much stronger in the offseason, none more than the Houston Rockets.
Chris Paul and James Harden haven’t played a game together yet, and they’re already a top-3 PG-SG combination in the NBA. CP3 nearly averaged a double-double last season, and has been regarded as an elite point for the past decade. The problem is his new teammate was developing into a superstar point guard himself, earning second place in the MVP voting. Harden will assuredly slide back to SG, where he’s played the majority of his career.
Trevor Ariza and Ryan Anderson survived the trade to Los Angeles, one that shipped away seven other Rockets. As long as Carmelo Anthony isn’t brought in via trade, Ariza and Ryan will play 3 and 4 respectively. Both are key three-point specialists, a must-have when competing for a title.
Clint Capela is really coming into his own after being selected 25th in the 2014 NBA Draft. At the age of 22 last season, Capela finished 3rd in FG% league-wide (64.3%). He’s long, lengthy and super-athletic for a 6-foot-10 center. Mike D’Antoni seems to have a bigger role for him within the team, and Capela is thriving because of it.
While most of Houston’s depth was traded to the Clippers for CP3, Isaiah Taylor, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker, Luc Mbah a Moute, Troy Williams, Nene Hilario, Zhou Qi, and Chinuna Onuaku make up the new-look Rockets.
Chemistry will be the main focus in Houston this season. If Chris Paul really wants the elusive title he’s headed to H-Town to compete for, it seems he’ll play whatever role D’Antoni envisions for him. He’ll matchup defensively against the opposing team’s top guard, helping Harden on that end of the floor. This team’s talent is inching closer to Golden State’s, but chemistry is the big question mark.
Final Record: 51-31