5. Houston Rockets
Yet another new (and at the same time old) duo in the league: James Harden and Russell Westbrook. These two former MVP’s used to be a part of the Oklahoma City Thunder‘s big three that led them to the NBA Finals in 2012.
Falling short that year to the Miami Heat‘s bigger three, Harden was sent to Houston via trade a few months after. Russ spent the next seven years on OKC until finally the team chose a different path and blew up the roster sending him to H-town to reunite with his childhood friend and former teammate.
These two won’t have to worry about chemistry issues as they both have proven they can thrive on the same team together. The biggest concern is going to be scoring options and ball-handling. Who is going to be the primary ball handler? Harden will more than likely continue to hold that spot in Houston since at this point it essentially is his team.
And when it comes to Westbrook he’s had experience being the second man having played many years as the number two to Kevin Durant. Westbrook and Durant had great success together on the Thunder and I believe that success will be able to continue for Russ when he takes the floor next to Harden for the Houston Rockets this October.