Fair expectations for Houston Rockets in 2022 season

It is still far too soon for talks surrounding the playoffs, but there can still be some expectations placed on the 2022 season for the Houston Rockets.

Expectations tend to run wild as we get closer to the start of the season. The Rockets play basketball again in just a few days, and it feels like the narritive gets a little crazier with every day that passes.

The Rockets should be a better team than they were during the past two seasons. Gone should be the days of being the worst team in the league, but it is also worth noting that these rebuilds do take time. Houston has some great talent, but that talent won't get into playoff form for at least another year.

Yes, that is the tough pill to swallow; the Rockets are not making the playoffs in 2022.

The West just isn't changing dramatically enough between now and the end of the season to open up a playoff spot for a young team like the Rockets. The starters are already going to have very limited reps in the playoffs, and most of these guys will even be new to starting roles.

It is fair to say that the Rockets are going to be a better team than they have been for the last two years, but better could just be 25 games. Even 30 wins feels like a stretch when looking at the schedule.

None of this is bad. The playoffs are still on the horizon if the players continue to grow, and that should be the only real focus for this roster.

As nice as it would be to compete in 2022, it should probably be fair for most Rockets fans to assume that the real playoff push is going to come in the 2023 season.

Want to write about the Rockets? Apply here!