SCOUTING THE ROCKETS.
A year after the Rockets abandoned their “run it back” plan, they pulled off another course correction. This time, they went from the intention to build around James Harden and Chris Paul to sending Paul and a package of first-round picks to Oklahoma City to bring in Russell Westbrook and reunite him with Harden in another high-powered backcourt. • The successful melding of talents in an all-MVP backcourt could ultimately determine the success of the latest championship chase. But unlike last season’s more extreme retooling, the Rockets this season kept most of their core together while sprinkling in a few key role players. • They also will seek to break through with their chief nemesis, the Golden State Warriors, presumably weakened but with the Western Conference more loaded with contenders. The Rockets should remain in that mix while undergoing another round of intriguing changes.
CENTER
Much was made of Clint Capela’s poor series against the Warriors, but it is difficult to determine how limited he was by the illness he brought into the start of the postseason, particularly since he had one of his most productive games of the regular season in the same matchup. Either way, Capela’s play is essential on the boards, in protecting the rim and as a pick-and-roll finisher and threat. The offense is its best when defenses must account for Capela’s rolls to the rim. He has been a fast-break target for James Harden and could run even more with Russell Westbrook.
FRONTCOURT
The Rockets will usually finish games in a three-guard lineup, with Eric Gordon expected to be on the floor with either James Harden or Russell Westbrook, or both, at all times. But coach Mike D’Antoni expects to return Gordon to his sixth man role, with Danuel House Jr. moving into the starting lineup at small forward. When all three guards play, Harden defends forwards more often than Gordon, though Gordon also has excelled in switches to match up with big men. With Gordon and P.J. Tucker, the Rockets have a pair of top defensive players on the floor with the shooting range their offense needs. Neither, however, is a high-volume rebounder for his position, shifting some of that responsibility to the backcourt. House could help with that in the starting lineup, allowing Gordon to get more of his playing time off the bench. As a starter, House will need to take additional steps in his third season but first full NBA campaign.
BACKCOURT
The questions about how the combination will work are fair and legitimate but also overlook the qualities they still bring that are certain to work. James Harden remains an unstoppable scorer with the ball in his hands. Russell Westbrook is an irrepressible force in the open court. Both have put up some of the best seasons in NBA history. There is a sense they could be better in the long run by needing to do less along the way. Their usage rate has been enormous in recent seasons, but they have shown an ability and willingness to play off one another. Though they duplicate one another in some ways, the Rockets needed some of Westbrook’s qualities, particularly on the defensive boards and the break. The combination should work. The question was whether it will work well enough to make them the league’s best backcourt or even among the best ever.
BENCH
The The Rockets have the potential to be deeper than they have been in their recent years as a contender, but that possibility is unpredictable. Bringing Eric Gordon off the bench could make the second unit as potent as it was in his first two seasons with the Rockets, while Austin Rivers’ ability off the dribble should allow him to take advantage of the spacing in the offense. Tyson Chandler can solidify the rotation at center and believes he can play regularly, but he is in his 19th NBA season. Thabo Sefolosha could help, but he played an average of just 44 games the past two seasons. There have been signs Ben McLemore and Ryan Anderson can add to the depth, but neither can be considered a sure thing. That describes the bench as a whole, even if there is a lot to work with. Gerald Green is out two to three months with a foot injury.
COACHING
Though Mike D’Antoni heads into the final season of his contract after not reaching an agreement on an extension in June, there seems no reason to expect the loss of authority that sometimes takes place with lame duck coaches. That could be because he has the support of the team’s stars and leaders. That was particularly clear last season when the Rockets struggled to 14th in the Western Conference 25 games into the season but rallied to a tie for third. The defensive side of D’Antoni’s staff was reworked, with Elston Turner replacing Jeff Bzdelik and Matt Brase moving up to replace Roy Rogers. Turner is greatly respected around the NBA. But having taken the step of replacing two of D’Antoni’s top assistants, the Rockets will expect to be the sort of defensive team they became last season more reliably. D’Antoni has led the Rockets to the best three-year record in franchise history. Considering the way things went after last season, it seems the Rockets expect more.