Houston Rockets Rank 4th In USA Today’s ‘NBA Watchability Rankings’

On year ago today, the Houston Rockets carried a roster full of unknown and unproven players into training camp. A year later, they’re on the radar of worldwide NBA fans. In the recent USA Today’s countdown of the most-watchable team for the 2013-2014 season, the Rockets are ranked no. 4 out of the 30 teams in the league.

From USA Today:

2013-2014 Houston Rockets

“WHY YOU CAN’T MISS THEM

A recharged Superman: Although he had a solid statistical season with the Lakers, Howard wasn’t really himself last season as he recovered from a 2012 back surgery. Now, he says he’s fully healthy and happier in Houston. If he can get back to the player who terrorized opposing scorers in 2011, the rest of the league has a problem.

A dynamic backcourt: Last season, there were questions about Harden’s ability to function as the focal point of an offense coming off his sixth-man role with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He put those doubts to rest quickly, showing he can play alongside Jeremy Lin. Both of them should be terrific pick-and-roll partners for Howard.

Intriguing youth: With Parsons, Motiejunas, Greg Smith, Terrence Jones and Patrick Beverley, the Rockets have lots of young talent that should prove formidable once given more minutes. Parsons has already firmly established himself as a capable starter and Beverley played solid minutes at point guard last season when Lin was hurt. The two big-man prospects have boundless potential and could make Houston a very exciting team beyond just the superstars.”

Writer Adi Joseph, who paired up with fellow writer Sean Highkin to make the list, stated that one of the reasons why the Rockets rank so high on the list is not because of the new superstar duo of James Harden and Dwight Howard, but rather the play of point guard Jeremy Lin.

Everyone’s all Howard-and-Harden, but Jeremy Lin is one reason the Rockets landed No. 4 in our watchability index: http://t.co/BAOTyjH3PS

— Adi Joseph (@AdiJoseph) October 1, 2013

Joseph also predicts the Rockets record to be 60-22, finishing first in the Western Conference.