4. Houston Rockets: James Harden and Russell Westbrook
With James Harden and Russell Westbrook, the Houston Rockets are the only team in the league with two NBA MVPs on the same roster, but come in at No. 4 due to some concerns about the fit. While it is true that the two played together in Oklahoma City, that was over eight years ago, and both players have changed significantly since then.
Since being traded to Houston, Harden has become the most dangerous scoring threat in the NBA. He averaged an absurd 36.1 points per game last season and singlehandedly lifted the Rockets into the top half of the Western Conference playoff field. Harden can score at every level and has an elite ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line, attempting a whopping 11 free throws per game in 2019.
It is difficult to overstate Harden’s scoring prowess. He had a strong case for the MVP award this year despite losing out to Giannis Antetokounmpo and had an absurd 32-game streak in which he scored 30 or more points in every game, per NBA.com. While many will criticize The Beard for his perceived flopping and penchant for complaining about calls, it is impossible to deny that he is one of the best scorers on the planet, if not the best.
Westbrook is a different story. There are some very legitimate criticisms of the former Oklahoma City point guard, while other arguments are unfair. For one, Westbrook is an inefficient perimeter shooter and needs to improve his shot selection. He shot a mere 29 percent from 3-point range this season, but took a whopping 5.6 3-point attempts per game. When Westbrook forces shots he is a hindrance to his team.
However, it is not as if Westbrook is a negative on the floor. He is an incredible talent with high-end speed and athleticism. The fact that he has averaged a triple-double for three consecutive seasons is simply unprecedented in not only today’s NBA, but in any era of basketball. He can be a major reason why this Houston team contends. However, he needs to cede control to Harden, the unquestioned leader of this team. If he is more selective with his shots and acts primarily as a distributor, Westbrook can help the Rockets reach new heights.