Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

2018 NBA Power Rankings: Should the Houston Rockets be the favorites in the West?

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
1 of 31

In this week’s installment of our NBA Power Rankings, we explore whether the Houston Rockets should be the favorites to win the NBA Title

Even after the Toronto Raptors snapped their 17-game winning streak last week, the Houston Rockets still currently have the best record in the NBA. They are up three games (in the loss column) on the Golden State Warriors, with roughly 14 games remaining in the 2017-18 regular season.

Houston has the NBA’s second-best offense, 7th best defense and second-best net rating. They look every part of an NBA contender. And if the Golden State Warriors didn’t exist, they’d actually be the overwhelming favorites to win this year’s NBA Title.

But, since they do exist, the Rockets have becomes somewhat overlooked.

That might be a mistake, though.

James Harden will likely win the NBA’s MVP, Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the NBA and the Rockets have enough shooters to keep up with Golden State’s firepower.

The playoffs are a much different animal than the regular season, but the Houston Rockets might finally be the formidable foe that the Warriors simply haven’t had in the last two years.