Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: Better Than Expected

It’s been a quiet few weeks in the news for the Houston Rockets. However, with a potential trade in reach for Clutch City, the Rockets may spend the rest of the summer in the rumor mill.

The NBA is more than two months away from the start of their 71st season in existence. While critics are expecting big things from the Golden State Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Chicago Bulls. Many analysts have already written the Houston Rockets off as a sub .500 team missing the playoffs.

While most critics claim that the lack of talent will play a huge factor in the Rockets downfall, Ethan Rothstein of the Dream Shakes says an unfavorable schedule will make the 2016 season a rocky one in Houston.

"The Rockets should be better than last year, but it’s really easy to foresee a scenario where they’re 3-5 or 2-6 by the time they play their second home game of the year against the Spurs. They could also just as well go 6-2, dropping games to the Cavs and Spurs, but the odds that they sweep the Mavs and three in a row on an East Coast road trip against three possible playoff teams, including a highly motivated Dwight Howard, are pretty low, I’d say. Just like last season, there will be chances to turn it around, obviously. A road-heavy schedule early in the season means more home games at the end. But Rockets fans know all too well how the dark cloud a sorry start can hang over a team."

Sure, opening the season playing eight of the first nine games on the road is not an ideal schedule. But, do not underestimate this new and highly motivated Rockets team. With the addition of Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, and Nene, this team is way too talented to start the season with a 2-6 record.

Given the disrespect the Rockets have faced this year, there may be one trade that could reestablish Houston as a championship contender. According to Marc Cantave of Sports Blog, trade rumors regarding the Rockets and Rudy Gay are heating up.

"The next hurdle is value. League sources say while there are teams that have expressed interest in Gay – most notably the Houston Rockets – getting anything of real value back to what could be a one-year rental at Gay’s price tag is hard math to make work”. If the Rockets managed to pull off this trade, the Rockets would have another scorer on the team which included James Harden and Eric Gordon (assuming he doesn’t get traded). That’s a lot of offensive firepowers which is what their coach, Mike D’Antoni, loves, but the defense on that team wouldn’t be too great."

Gay may no longer be the athletic swingman that made him a star with the Memphis Grizzlies, but over the years he has transformed into an all-around player.

Last season Gay averaged 18.2 points and 6.9 rebounds on 46.3 percent shooting from the field for the Sacramento Kings. So his consistent ability to score would give the Rockets another valuable score when on offense.

However, Gay’s biggest contribution to Houston would be on the defensive side of the ball. Throughout his career, he has been known for his ability as a perimeter defender, something the Houston Rockets are in desperate need of.

Regardless of the low expectations, the Rockets are facing prior to the start of the season. One can expect a huge season from All-Star guard James Harden.

After he shamefully won the 2016 Shaqtin a Fool MVP, the Bearded One has had a full summer to respond to his critics. According to CBS Sports Ananth Pandian, Harden dominated the Drew League playoff game this past weekend with 42 points in a crucial victory.

The way Harden stepped his game up with a feisty heckler on the sideline. One can only imagine what Harden has in store for his NBA critics next season.

Next: Should the Rockets pursue Rudy Gay

Next: Breaking Down the 2016-17 West Schedule

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