Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: What’s Next

With the Houston Rockets playoff hopes on life support. What’s next for Dwight Howard and the Rockets?

For a team who’s playoff hopes are on life support. The Houston Rockets are doing a lousy job at saving their season. I’m sure I’m not the only fan that has noticed they have lost four of their last five games?

Just three years ago after they signed Dwight Howard many predicted the Rockets were the team to beat in the West. Fast forward to current day and Houston’s championship aspirations and relationship with Superman have sunk faster than the Titanic.

Houston Rockets news and notes from around the web

Speaking of Howard. TNT Analyst David Aldridge‘s Monday Morning Tip featured a Q & A session with the Rockets center. Despite Houston’s lack of success this season. Howard says that his main concern is improving the team’s defense.

"I have to really focus on helping our team defense. All of us have to do a better job on defense, and the offense will be easier. But we have to focus in on the defensive side of things: how can we help each other? Because there’s going to be mental breakdowns, there’s going to be times when people get beat on backdoors and guards get beat coming down the lane. And we have to be the protectors."

Dwight Howard’s lack of shot opportunities has played a huge factor in his unhappiness this season. However, D12 does not blame the Rockets offense, but the evolution of the game for his decrease in shot attempts.

"I think if you watch a team like Golden State, they shoot more threes than just doing post ups and stuff like that. I think everybody is kind of taking that same style of play on offense, where they have one big on the floor. They call it ‘small ball’ now. It’s not just me, but I look at all the guys around the league — DeAndre [Jordan], you’ve got Andre Drummond, you’ve got those guys that are in the paint. It’s small ball now, so everybody’s forcing us out to play guys like Draymond Green, all those stretch fours. So it’s a different style of play. When I first came into the league, it wasn’t as much. Now, it’s like every team is doing it. It’s a pretty good strategy, but it’s just something the game has evolved into."

When talking about D12 this year. One cannot help but ponder with will his next move be this summer. With rumors of a possible return to the Magic Kingdom. Jack Windham of the Inquisitr believes Howard’s free agent decision will come down between the Rockets and the Orlando Magic.

"Dwight Howard is going to be one of the most talked about players when NBA free agency starts this summer. Every team that he visits, especially the Orlando Magic, is going to generate some excitement. However, if the veteran center wants to avoid being in the spotlight, he can always quickly sign with the Houston Rockets. Then again, Howard might like the extra attention that he will receive."

Even though there is still a small possibility that he will resign with the Rockets, I think it is safe to say that D12 has worn out his welcome in Clutch City. With the Dwight Howard era quickly coming to an end. Space City Scoop staff writer J.A. Medders analyzes the Rockets success without Superman.

"It’s hard to always analytically sniff out what the problem is with Howard and the Rockets, but it’s plain to see something is off. In the feel and pace of many games, the Rockets are a better team when he is not in the mix. Remember last season? Howard missed nearly half of the season and and crew took the team to the second seed, the division banner, and the Western Conference Finals. The balance of the team shifts when Howard walks onto the court. Harden"

Although it would be nice to see Howard return to the Rockets. The signing may not be a great move in the long run for Houston. Medders said it best. “The Houston Rockets are better off without Dwight Howard.”

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