What’s holding back the Houston Rockets from championship glory?

With a fully healthy squad last season, Houston again lost to Golden State in six games. This time around, the Warriors were the banged-up team. The series was tied at two games apiece when Kevin Durant suffered an apparent leg injury that took him out for the rest of the series. The Warriors went on to win the next two games to win the series 4-2. This time, there was no excuse for James Harden and the Houston Rockets.

In Game 1 of the series, James Harden had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds of the game. Instead, he tried drawing a foul on Draymond Green. That could’ve made a huge difference in the series, but instead, the Rockets lost in six.

This season, the league is finally competitive, with several teams having a strong chance to win a championship. The league is filled with dynamic duos, including one in Houston. The Rockets traded for former MVP Russell Westbrook, in hopes of finally getting over the hump. Westbrook has dealt with postseason woes as well, not making it past the first round in three consecutive seasons.

The Houston Rockets currently sit at 26-13 which is good enough for the fifth seed in the tough Western Conference. Harden and Westbrook should look to prove something to not only the world but themselves this season. If there was a perfect time to finally get over the hump, it’s now.

Are the Rockets capable of winning it all this season? Yes. But whether they will or not is up to their superstar James Harden.