The biggest obstacle in the Rockets' title pursuit may be impossible to overcome

The Houston Rockets are 15-6. That's good - until you take note of the Thunder's 24-1 record.

Take another look. Go check the standings for yourself if you find it unbelievable. The Thunder have played 25 games. They've lost one.

It makes the Rockets' double overtime, one-point loss to them in the season opener more impressive. That's the optimist's view. Here's what the pessimist thinks:

How on earth can the Rockets beat this team?

Rockets' rival looks unstoppable

Pick a stat. We'll wait. The Thunder almost definitely leads the league by a landslide.

Net Rating? Yes, the Rockets' 10.8 mark is second. That's cute. The Thunder's 17.2 makes it look like light work.

It all starts with their dominant Defensive Rating. That stat tells the same story. The Rockets' 110.7 mark ranks second, but it's pedestrian compared to the Thunder's unthinkable 103.3.

When looking at this roster, it doesn't come as a surprise. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely the best player in the NBA. Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are two of the best 25-and-under players in the league. They're surrounded by elite role players like Alex Caruso, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Lu Dort. Nevermind the Rockets:

How on earth could anyone beat this team?

Rockets face an uphill battle vs Thunder

Barring injury, currently, nobody can.

That's the harsh-but-true reality. The Thunder are dominance personified. It's fair to wonder whether we'll look at these guys as one of the best teams in NBA history. They may win the next three or more NBA championships.

That doesn't mean the Rockets should quit.

Injuries happen. The Rockets are right there if something unfortunate should happen. After the Thunder, they've got a strong case as the league's next-best team.

It's a place the Rockets are uncomfortably familiar with. When the Warriors were dominating the league, they were the only credible threat to them in the Western Conference. They never won the title, but they did give their fans a lot of meaningful basketball to remember.

Perhaps this era will shake out the same way. Alternatively, perhaps the Rockets could get lucky. Either way, building one of the best teams in the NBA is an accomplishment. Once you do it, you've got to hang around and try to win as much as you can:

Even if you'll almost definitely win less than the Thunder.