The Houston Rockets are ready to make some noise in 2019-20

With the addition of Russell Westbrook, James Harden and the Houston Rockets are ready to cause chaos throughout the Western Conference

The Houston Rockets created a huge buzz around the league this offseason when they acquired superstar guard Russell Westbrook in a deal that shipped away Chris Paul. The Rockets came off another Chris Paul injury-plagued season that resulted in an elimination in the Western Conference Semifinals to the Golden State Warriors for the fourth time in five years.

James Harden came off his best season yet averaging 36 points per game, 6.6 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, while shooting 44 percent from the field. Numbers that will go down in history as one of the greatest seasons of all time. Harden did a significant amount of heavy lifting due to the numerous amount of injuries that occurred as the season progressed. Proving, once again, that he’s an elite level talent.

Now, as the season approaches the Beard will be reunited with his former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate, Westbrook. Much has changed since their OKC days, both have risen and become MVP caliber players that have participated in many heartbreaking playoff eliminations.

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Much speculation has been made about how Russell will fit in with Harden. Raising questions on whether Westbrook fits in Dantoni’s offensive system. Others have pointed out how a Westbrook-Harden backcourt will be the demise of the Rockets.

I’m going to put all that to rest. Contrary to popular belief, this team will not only be extremely successful in the regular season but will make a deep playoff run and be featured in the Western Conference Finals.

I know, sounds crazy right?

We’re all expecting the battle of LA in the WCF. Sorry, not this year, one of those spots will be occupied by Houston. Here’s why.

For starters, Russell Westbrook is a significant upgrade from the aging Chris Paul. CP3 is 34 years old and came off a season playing 58 games and averaging 15.6 points, 8 assists on 41 percent shooting. The window for Paul to contribute efficiently to this Rockets team closed last season when Golden State eliminated Houston in a crucial Game 7 that Paul was injured for.

With the current demise of the Warriors, Rockets general Manager Daryl Morey made a move to acquire a player a few years younger, relatively more durable, with the ability to affect the game in all phases, while being the ultimate teammate and a better locker room presence. Enes Kanter, a former teammate of Westbrook, called Russell the best player he’s played with on and off the court. Praising the positive influence he has in the locker room and on all his teammates.

If you think about it, even without Chris Paul, James Harden alone has the ability to contend for a WCF appearance with the Warriors dynasty fading, even with the West becoming more challenging. Harden is unstoppable one-on-one and, as we’ve seen, give him shooters and you’re in trouble. Now add Westbrook, a triple double machine with a non-stop motor that plays with tremendous heart, and you got a title contender.

Morey did sacrifice shooting when he replaced CP3 with Westbrook. A huge portion of the Rockets success came behind the 3-point line where Westbrook shot a horrendous 29 percent. And the biggest question with these two players is how ball handling duties will be divided.

This is going to be tricky for Houston because ever since Harden became point guard he’s dominated possessions in terms of holding the ball. If you look at Westbrook he’s nearly done the same thing.

This should give you an idea of how ball dominant the two are.

Mike D’Antoni is going to have a challenge working in sets and plays to allow the two MVP’s to get their touches without compromising one’s skill set. With much more support on the roster, James Harden and the Rockets will no longer have to run continuous isolation plays and will be able to run a more free-flowing offense similar to GSW.

When you have two elite generational talents their focus shifts specifically to winning and it’s simple. D’Antoni along with Harden and Westbrook will have no issue figuring this out, the two former teammates are killers. This is the best problem for a coach to have.

Westbrook’s addition gives Houston another playmaker to take the pressure off Harden. Russell’s biggest contribution will be that with him on the court the Rockets don’t have to focus solely on launching three pointers. They finally posses a player that can take their opponent off the dribble and get into the paint.

Remember in that Game 7 in the 2018 Western Conferences finals where the Rockets relied on threes only and missed 27 straight losing to the Warriors? This acquisition gives the Rockets another element to their offense that may make them impossible to guard.

A Russell Westbrook, James Harden, Eric Gordon, P.j Tucker, Clint Capela lineup is deadly and a force to be reckoned with. With the Klay Thompson injury, they possess the best, most explosive backcourt in the league with a versatile lineup still featuring quality 3-point shooters.

Houston will finish the season with around 55-57 wins which will place them either first or second seed in the Western Conference. Giving them a homecourt advantage. Come playoff time if this roster is healthy beware of the devastation they can cause. And don’t be surprised when they reach the Western Conference Finals.