Rockets' emphatic rebuild exit has made them drastically underrated

The Houston Rockets will not win the 2024-25 NBA championship.

That's a strange absolute statement to make about the Western Conference's second seed. With 49 wins, the Rockets should be dark-horse contenders. Sure, they've been a clear tier behind the Thunder, Cavaliers and Celtics this year. Otherwise, they should be able to hang with anyone.

Yet, they're not viewed on equal footing. Most pundits would have the Nuggets, Lakers, or Knicks walking away with an NBA title before them. Even the Grizzlies and Warriors feel like more substantial threats.

There's ample justification for that perception. The Rockets are young. Their inexperience may cost them. Beyond that, it's hard to invest too much faith in their problematic half-court offense. Those are all reasons why, again, they won't win the 2024-25 NBA championship.

They are also the reasons why they've become wildly underrated.

Stop sleeping on the Houston Rockets

Sure, the Rockets' half-court offense is suspect. They rely on rebounding and defense to win games in the absence of a reliable half-court offense bueyed by a consistent star player.

Is that so bad?

Isn't it valuable to hammer the value of hard work into the collective heads of this young core? The Rockets shouldn't have championship designs in 2024-25. They should have their eyes on a serious title run in three or four years.

In that time, one or more of these young Rockets could have developed into the offensive superstar this team needs. If they get there, they won't be prima donnas who quit when the going gets tough. The Rockets will have been cultivated into gamers.

If they don't get there, that's OK too.

Rockets have a myriad of ways to improve

The Rockets don't just have young talent. They also have one of the most formidable collections of assets in the NBA.

If Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun, or Amen Thompson doesn't look like a certified offensive alpha, the Rockets have the means to acquire such a player comfortably. It could happen this summer, next summer, or the summer after.

Surely, this front office has plans, and contingencies to those plans. Fans don't need to be as forward-minded. They have a perfectly good Rockets team to enjoy right here and now.

Perhaps this team's expedited rebuilding process has confused people. The Rockets tanked for three years and then aggressively supplemented their young roster with veteran talent. Now, it feels like expectations have become misaligned. The Rockets have already succeeded by increasing their win total substantially for two straight seasons. Critics who focus on their undercooked offense are missing the forest for the trees.

No, they won't win the championship. They may not even escape the first round. It's still vital for fans to appreciate this plucky, competitive young squad. Who knows?

If all goes well, they may wake up some doubters before the playoffs end.