The Houston Rockets don't need an All-Star to win

The Houston Rockets are 29-14. They're the second seed in the Western Conference. After years of losing, it's been a storybook season.

Nobody saw this coming. The league is flush with talent - especially in the West. The Rockets face a gauntlet of talented teams every week, and they regularly come out on top. Plenty of those teams feature a clearcut All-Star or two:

The Rockets can't say the same.

Rockets may not have All-Star representative

As it stands, it's not looking good for the Rockets on the All-Star front.

These results are not surprising. If the Rockets have an All-Star, it's likely Sengun. Still, it seems like Victor Wembanyama and Anthony Davis are standing in his way.

It's hard to make a case for Sengun against either. Davis is ahead of him in points per game (25.6 vs 19.2), rebounds per game (11.8 vs 10.5), blocks per game (2.2 vs 0.9), and Box Plus/Minus (5.5 vs 5.4).

Wembanyama is ahead of the Rockets star in each of the same categories. At 7.2, he's got an especially significant lead in Box Plus/Minus (BPM). Wembanyama is making good on his predraft projections: as a sophomore, he's already one of the best players in the NBA.

If Sengun had a case over either, it would come down to team success. That case is stronger against Davis. He shares a team with LeBron James, who's already been named an All-Star starter. If the Lakers have two All-Stars and the Rockets don't have one, how are the Lakers behind the Rockets in the standings?

Well, the Rockets are one of the deepest teams in the NBA. That's part of the point here. The Lakers are riddled with flaws. The fact that Davis is ahead of Sengun in BPM is particularly telling. Sengun's mark is partly buoyed by strong lineups, and it's still behind Davis.

Let's be clear - Alperen Sengun will make All-Star teams. For that matter, so will Amen Thompson - and probably Jalen Green as well. This year, it may be difficult for the Rockets to find representation in the big dance.

Isn't that fun?

Rockets have a unique identity

The second seed in the Western Conference without an All-Star. What was it Dillon Brooks said earlier in the year?

That's right - "sometimes me, sometimes you, always us".

This is who the Rockets are. They're winning games with pure heart and determination. They're dominating opponents on the offensive glass and smothering them on defense. They also have a few players who can look like All-Stars on any given night.

There's plenty of time for these young guys to make All-Star appearances. For now, Rockets fans should embrace this team's unique identity.

It's one small part of what's been a storybook season.