Houston Rockets: Was the Chris Paul era successful?

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets hi-fives a fan against the Washington Wizards on December 19, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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SACRAMENTO, CA – APRIL 02: James Harden #13 and Chris Paul #3 of the Houston Rockets look on during the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on April 2, 2019 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 License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

This past year

The following season, the Rockets ended with a 53-29 record and the 4th seed in the Western Conference. They would eventually lose to the Warriors in 6 games during the Western Conference Semi-Finals, but they had never taken the Warriors to 6 games prior to the arrival of CP3. It was certainly a let down for the Rockets to lose within 6 games on the home floor, but that’s because the expectations had been raised due to Chris Paul being on the team. Which is why the CP3 era was a success.

The Rockets didn’t win a championship with CP3, but is it their fault that they ran up against the best team ever assembled? Could they have prevented that? Could they have prevented Chris Paul from getting injured?

Chris Clemons deserves a chance with the Rockets. Next

So while the CP3 addition to the Houston Rockets didn’t end in a championship, the era was still a success considering where the team was prior to landing CP3. Not to mention the fact that they had the best record in franchise history, the fact that they pushed the super-team Warriors further than they had ever done before in consecutive post-seasons and the fact that the Rockets were viewed as the biggest threat to the Warriors.