Power Rankings: Where the Rockets Rank Amongst the Top Teams in the NBA

2. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks will be the clear-cut favorite in the Eastern Conference this season. They made it to the Conference Finals and were eliminated by a Kawhi Leonard led Raptors team. With Leonard no longer in the fold, the Bucks should without question win the East. They also will have chemistry as they’re largely returning the same roster with the exception of Malcolm Brogdon. They didn’t make any splash moves this off-season but they didn’t really have to. While they have the best team in the east, it’d be a shock if they were to win the NBA Finals and defeat the Western Conference team, whoever that may be.

1. Houston Rockets

I’m quite similar to Five Thirty-Eight with where I’m ranking the Rockets next season. For starters, they will certainly have chemistry going into next season. They took care of home and brought back their solid role players in Danuel House, Austin Rivers and Gerald Green.

Even their splash move of acquiring Russell Westbrook is a move that also brings more chemistry to the Rockets as Westbrook and James Harden were teammates in Oklahoma City. Not only that, they (along with Kevin Durant) took the Thunder to the NBA Finals. The Clippers and Lakers duos have never played before and don’t have said chemistry. The Lakers are even playing with a new coach, so they will be sure to need time to figure things out.

The only team the Rockets have struggled against in recent years has been the Golden State Warriors, who will surely not be as good as they have been. This is why I have the Rockets picked to be the best team in the league next season. What I think solidified this move is the fact that the Rockets only had to trade Chris Paul in the Westbrook trade, and were able to keep PJ Tucker and Eric Gordon who are invaluable to the Rockets.

Let’s gear up for a great season, as the league had one of the biggest off-seasons in recent years. The Rockets will be left holding the trophy in 2020 in my opinion.