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Houston Sports: The top three must-follow storylines for fans

By Kenneth Cline

SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: A Houston Texans fan watches warmups from the stands before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - OCTOBER 29: A Houston Texans fan watches warmups from the stands before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during the Houston Rockets Media Day at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston on September 24, 2018 in Houston, 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)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 24: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Houston Rockets poses for a portrait during the Houston Rockets Media Day at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston on September 24, 2018 in Houston, 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) /

Storyline #1: Three Amigos or Three Stooges?

Rocket Launcher

The last two seasons have seen the Rockets emerge as championship contenders. Unfortunately, heartbreaking losses where Houston failed to deliver at home in crucial games left a bad taste in our mouths for a long time. But this is when the Rockets would make big splashes in the off season surprising the rest of the league.

2017

In 2017, it was Chris Paul who decided to leave Los Angeles’ baby brother in the Clippers to join the Rockets. This was mentioned with criticisms and question by saying he is old and isn’t as versatile as he once was. He never made it past the second round of the playoffs. How would he and James Harden co-exist? Well, the answer was this. A franchise-record 65-wins, the best record in the NBA, the league’s most valuable player in Harden, and a hard-fought series with the Warriors that nearly dethroned them.

2018

This off season, the Rockets acquired Carmelo Anthony. Now, this is where the questions get interesting. Anthony, a talented player in his own right, who was drafted in arguably the best draft class ever along with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Paul and Chris Bosh, has been seen as a distraction. A franchise player in Denver, the Nuggets couldn’t keep Anthony and he took his talents to the Big Apple. But in each of those seasons since, including his one-year stint in with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Anthony has underachieved to a degree.

So here he is on a Rockets team determined to win a championship this year. There have criticisms wondering if it’s going to work. Well, it’s been three preseason games and all signs appear to point the Rockets in the right direction. They probably won’t win 65 games but should be a strong contender again even with Golden State and a LeBron-led Los Angeles Lakers team looming.

Houston Sports: Versatility has been the blueprint to success. light. Related Story

This, of course, could be achieved if Anthony can make the adjustment as a potential role player. Anthony has averaged 13.6 points per game so far in the preseason. But watching him play, it does appear that Anthony has meshed well with his new teammates. Will this be a consistent thing or once in a blue moon?

Conclusion

There’s no question Anthony is possibly on his last chance to win a championship. Whether this works out or not, it was a gamble the Rockets made to get Anthony here. There were talks about Jimmy Butler joining Houston soon. But nothing has come from it.

For now, the Rockets will be under the spotlight and will look to be in another playoff run to win it all this time. Something that another Houston Sports franchise is struggling to find a way to win in the playoffs at all. But they made a big statement on Sunday night.

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