Three Positives and three negatives from the Houston Rockets’ first six games

After six games the Houston Rockets are 2-4 but remain in striking distance of the postseason. These are three positives and negatives from their opening slate of games.

The Houston Rockets have played six games this season and started with a 2-4 record. While this isn’t the hot start that the franchise was hoping for, it comes with the caveat that the Rockets were without a full-strength lineup in their first two games.

Since they have regained their preferred starting lineup they have gone 2-2 and in one game apiece have been without James Harden and Christian Wood. The Rockets haven’t had an extended run with their best starting unit and it’ll be difficult to tell what the team’s ceiling is without that.

However, these six games all count in the standings, and a turnaround is necessary if the Rockets have any hope of reaching the postseason. The Western Conference standings are jumbled and a three-game winning streak will be enough to get them back into the playoff picture.

There have been plenty of positives and an equal number of negatives for the Rockets to start the season. Unfortunately, the franchise’s greatest positive this season is also their most looming negative.

James Harden has been absolutely sublime to start the season, which is fantastic because there was concern that he would mail it in this season in Houston after his trade demand. Harden still wants to be traded, which is the franchise’s scariest negative, and if the team can only muster a 2-4 record with a locked-in Harden, then what are they going to look like when he’s traded?

Beyond the looming Harden trade, the Rockets have a few bright spots and few areas of serious concern from the start of the season. These are three positives and negatives from the Rockets’ first six games.

Next: Positive #3