3 reasons the Houston Rockets are legitimate title contenders

With the Houston Rockets hitting their stride and firing on all cylinders, here are three reasons why they should be viewed as legitimate title contenders.

The Houston Rockets have two of the last three league MVPs, a multitude of wing defenders, and an experienced coach with multiple Western Conference Finals’ appearances. One question remains for this team: are they good enough to win an NBA championship this season?

For starters, they would have to get past the Los Angeles Lakers in a seven-game series in which the Lakers would likely have home-court advantage. If they get past the Lakers, they would likely have to get past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks, who Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta has stated is the best in the league.

Although the Rockets were without proven sharpshooter Eric Gordon against the Memphis Grizzlies, they managed to win their fifth straight game, as they defeated Memphis 140-112. What’s been most impressive about their streak is that all five of these wins have been by double digits. This means the Rockets have now gone 9-2 in their last 11 games.

Yes, I know what you are thinking. It’s only the regular season and James Harden will choke in the playoffs (screams the Twitter accounts who know very little about the game of basketball). As an avid fan of the team who has been following the Rockets since the days of Vernon Maxwell and Mario Elie, this team has a different feel to it. Here are three reasons why the Houston Rockets are true title contenders and have enough to win the title this season.

Next: No. 3