Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: A Ghost From the Past

In today’s Daily Rocket Science, the truth is revealed on what caused chemistry issues with Dwight Howard. As well as players who came up short from making the Houston Rockets final roster.

The Houston Rockets are less than 24 hours away from the start of their 50th season in existence. For the first time since 2013, the Rockets are heading into the season with mid expectations.

Even after posting a 5-2 preseason record, critics still do not believe the Rockets can become a contender in 2017. In ESPN’s final preseason prediction, analysts are projecting another 41 win season in Houston.

With the Rockets preparing for the future, and proving their doubters wrong. An old ghost from the past cast a shadow over the franchise. As the post-Dwightmare continues in Houston.

According to ESPN staff writer Tim MacMahon. Rockets’ management pushed for a drastic reduction in Dwight Howard’s minutes, to favorite Clint Capela. This decision caused the infamous chemistry issues that plagued the Rockets last season.

While Howard’s minutes remained steady throughout the season, word of Rockets management’s desire to reduce his role filtered back to the big man. That further deteriorated Howard’s trust of the franchise, one of many factors in the dysfunction that dragged Houston down during a 41-41 campaign that came on the heels of a Western Conference finals run.

With Howard no longer a member of the Rockets, Houston has turned their attention solely on offense.

According to Joshua Reese of CBS Houston. After a preseason in which they averaged 118 points, the Rockets have found how dangerous they can be by scoring a lot of points.

The Houston Rockets preseason should be classified as a success. In seven games they only scored less than 100 points once, and in four games they put up over 120 points. If there is only one thing to be taken from the preseason, it points will be scored in bunches.

The eve of a new season could be an exciting time for many NBA players around the league. Yet, for some. The eve of the NBA season could mark the ending to a long-awaited dream.

Like many teams around the league, the Rockets made their final roster cuts Monday afternoon. While Tyler Ennis, Kyle Wiltjer, and Bobby Brown made the final cut, another group of Rockets did not.

According to Space City Scoops own Andre Cantalogo. Among the noticeable players waived were Pablo Prigioni, and Gary Payton II.

In a busy Monday where NBA teams must deliver their final 15 player roster there has been quite a few surprises throughout the league, particularly with the Houston Rockets. In a somewhat non surprising roster move, the first three cuts were more than expected. To wit, earlier today the team released PJ Hairston, Gary Payton II and Le’Bryan Nash.

Next: 2016-17 Player Profile: Trevor Ariza

Even though the future seems a bit dim after their release, here is hope that Hairston, Nash, and Payton have not played their final NBA game.