Houston Rockets: Comparing offseasons so far with West’s top teams

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 2: Clint Capela #15, Chris Paul #3 and James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets link arms for the national anthem of the game against the Sacramento Kings on April 2, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – MAY 10: The Houston Rockets huddle up prior to a game against the Golden State Warriors before Game Six of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 10, 2019 at the Toyota Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Playoff Experience

The Rockets are the only team with deep playoff experience to retain its entire core, and that was always a better option than breaking up said core to add Jimmy Butler, who we don’t fully know was all that excited to come to Houston in the first place. Bringing back Danuel House, Gerald Green, and Austin Rivers was always the best option as this is really their best opportunity to bring a title back to Houston.

There are valid questions of how Clint Capela, Eric Gordon and PJ Tucker will respond to being involved in trade rumors, but it wouldn’t surprise me at all if they came out with a vengeance, feeling as though they have something to prove. I would also expect Chris Paul, who is coming off the worst year in his career, to be out to prove he too can still ball.

Next. 3 players the Rockets should pursue

The national media will be sure to forget about the Houston Rockets, but this year presents a golden opportunity for the team to bring home the championship.