Rockets get another nod towards their championship dreams in latest power rankings

As the Houston Rockets have soared to a 5-2 record, they have put the league on notice with their ascension into the upper echelon of offensive teams in the NBA.

Now, even prior to their dominant, wire-to-wire win over the Memphis Grizzlies, ESPN has ranked the Rockets fifth in their recent power rankings, and, if the team can continue their win streak this weekend with matchups against the San Antonio Spurs and the Milwaukee Bucks, it is feasible that they could move into the top three very soon.

With the loss of starting point guard Fred VanVleet, many had justifiable concerns surrounding the team's offensive ceiling. Yet, so far, Houston has brushed off those concerns with ease, and, now, they are getting the consideration as a genuine championship contender that they undoubtedly deserve.

The Rockets are finally getting the respect they deserve from national media

Following a rough, 0-2 start, many thought that the Rockets' glaring flaws had come to haunt them. They struggled to mount any offensive flow outside of isolation possessions for Kevin Durant, and their defense looked uncharacteristically sluggish with their extensive utilization of the double-big lineup.

Yet, since that time, the team has flourished, winning five games in a row and looking like, potentially, the best offense in the NBA. Through their first seven games, the team is first in offensive rating, first in offensive rebounding percentage, and first in 3-point percentage.

Accordingly, here were ESPN's rankings prior to Wednesday night's matchups:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder
2. San Antonio Spurs
3. Denver Nuggets
4. Los Angeles Lakers
5. Houston Rockets

While ESPN's rankings were made prior to Houston's win over the Grizzlies, it would likely have not made much of an effect, as the Lakers and Nuggets each won their respective games (with the Thunder losing their first of the season).

Yet, this is not the only outlet that has paid their respects to the Rockets' dominant winning streak.

The Athletic has them ranked second in their most recent power rankings, and USA Today has them ranked fourth.

We can quibble over where the team should be placed now that both the Spurs and the Thunder have suffered losses, but one thing is certain. The media is finally starting to come around on the fact that Houston could in fact be a genuine championship contender this season.

Now, as their defense has begun to find their footing, they are sixth in the league in defensive rating. There is a serious chance that they could be a top-five squad on both sides of the court this season, and, if that happens, no one can deny them their status as one of the most fearsome teams in the NBA.