Can The Rockets Dethrone The Warriors?
The Houston Rockets have had a historic year.
On Saturday Night, they defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, 114–91, improving their record to 59–14. With their 59th win, the Rockets set the franchise record for most wins in a season. They currently hold a 4½-game lead over the defending Western Conference and NBA Champion Golden State Warriors. With only nine games to go in the season, it looks like they will end up locking up the number one overall seed in the Western Conference too.
However, despite this great regular season success, the Rockets know that this all means nothing come playoff time. MVP candidate James Harden and company have their sights set on something more than just regular season records. They want to win the Western Conference finals and then go on to win the NBA finals.
In order to reach those goals, however, they know that Golden State stands in their way. The Warriors have been kings of the Western Conference in recent years, but some analysts think that this year’s Rockets team has what it takes to surpass them.
What do I think?
I’ll take the Warriors.
Yes, this Rockets team has been the best team all year, but come playoff time the Warriors are a different breed. They’re a team with four all-stars in the starting line-up and barring any injuries I can’t see them losing in a seven-game series to anyone in the league, let alone the Western Conference.
I applaud the Rockets for what they have been able to accomplish this year and wish them best of luck in the playoffs. I just don’t think they have what it takes to dethrone the Warriors this year, but as a LeBron fan, I sure hope I’m wrong.
