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Houston Rockets: Championship window may not be open for a while

By Joe Fernandez

Dec 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets defeated the Suns 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon (10) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Rockets defeated the Suns 125-111. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Houston Rockets are, like many other NBA teams, trying to figure out what they can do to put themselves in the same conversation as the Golden State Warriors for title contenders. Three years in a row, the Western Conference has failed to produce a challenger worthy enough to overthrow the Warriors as conference champions.

The Houston Rockets are in a frustrating position because they are a talented enough team to make the playoffs and win a round or two. But with the current powerhouse at the top, they are looking like they will always be bridesmaids, never the bride. We’ve seen these types of teams before of course.

Mike D’Antoni‘s 2000’s era Phoenix Suns were the perfect example of a team that every year was good enough to get to the playoffs, but never could get over the hump. Human Highlight reel Dominique Wilkins gets forgotten sometimes as one of the greatest basketball players in the 1980’s because his Atlanta Hawks continuously made the playoffs only to be bounced in the second round year after year.

The present day Los Angeles Clippers are in the same boat as they have yet to make it to the conference finals with their big three of Chris Paul, DeAndre Jordan and Blake Griffin.  So much so there has consistently been talk the past two years of blowing the team up and starting over.

The Rockets made a flurry of moves last off-season and they all worked out.

The Rockets made a flurry of moves last off-season and they all worked out. From hiring Mike D’Antoni as head coach, to moving James Harden to point guard, to the signing of Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon and Nene Hilario, and the trade of Lou Williams.

These were all successes. And yet. They still weren’t even good enough to beat a depleted Spurs team. They couldn’t even get themselves to a match-up with the Warriors.

And even if the Rockets had advanced as they should have against a Spurs team missing their MVP and starting point guard. Even if they entered a series against the Warriors fully healthy and playing to the top of their ability. Do we truly believe that if the Cleveland Cavaliers could only win one game against the Warriors in the NBA Finals with the roster they have, that we could win a a seven game series against the Warriors?

Now some may say we could at least have won a game or two. But this is the bridesmaid’s syndrome where you start to just appreciate being there. It’s better than where other teams are at and at least we get to watch playoff basketball. But your goal is to win a championship. Not to be just good enough to compete. And in a league where a star player is necessary for success, having only one star like James Harden against four like Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant is an insurmountable hill to climb.

As a result, the pessimist in me believes this Rockets team, whether as currently constructed or even with the addition of a Paul George or Chris Paul, has no window for the foreseeable future. With how outmatched our team would be by the Warriors even with a big free agent addition of the Paul George/Chris Paul magnitude, it just does not seem like there’s any kind of strategy or match-up adjustment that could be made that would result in the Rockets winning a best of seven series against the Warriors as their team is currently constructed. The disparity in talent between the two teams would still be too great.

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And with news from ESPN Monday that Kevin Durant is opting out of his contract and re-signing with the Warriors for less money to be able to retain and maintain the team’s core for at least another couple years, only adds to the frustration we, and the rest of the league, feel.

All that said, you play the games for a reason. And credit to the Warriors for drafting players like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green and seeing the potential in them to be what they are.  I’m still going to watch the games and see if another year under D’Antoni and a little more team cohesion can make the difference.

But without a Warriors injury or a player leaving for free agency for more money in the near future, the Houston Rockets window for a championship may not be open regardless of what moves they make this off season or next. The Warriors are just that good.

Next: The 'true' reason Chris Paul will be in town

Daryl Morey has done as good a job as a general manager can do, dating all the way back to when he traded for James Harden who at the time was certainly not expected to become a perennial MVP candidate. And according to Sporting News’ Sean Deveney the rumors are that Morey is exploring trading Patrick Beverley to open up cap space and make a big move. Hopefully our GM can continue to make big moves that will give us a puncher’s chance against Golden State. Because right now neither we, nor anyone else in the league, can beat them.

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