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Season Predictions 2016: Rockets

Season Predictions 2016

Current seeding: 7th
Projected seeding: 6th
 
Arguably the biggest disappointment of this season, Houston finds themselves fighting for a back-end playoff spot after many (including yours truly) pegged them as title contenders before the season began. However, despite the fact that there is more than enough blame to go around, much of it can be fairly attributed towards Ty Lawson (PG, IND), who has since been released after his disastrous stint with the Rockets. And contrary to popular belief, superstar SG James Harden, as well as star C Dwight Howard and key SF Trevor Ariza, have all actually been having okay seasons for their respective standards. What the issue has been, rather, in addition to Lawson of course, is a supporting cast that is just not performing: the Rocket second-unit ranks third to last in bench efficiency. That’s gotta change, because Harden clearly cannot do it all on his own -- just check the standings for proof.
 
First round: Oklahoma City Thunder (3)
 
This one should be fun: Harden vs. his former team. Except that’s the problem -- it’s almost as if it’s Harden and a few other guys versus the entire Thunder squad. As I said above, the Rockets have just not been able to get the bench support around Harden and the other starters, while OKC has nearly a perfect supporting cast around superstars PG Russell Westbrook and SF/PF Kevin Durant. Even if Houston can somehow manage to stay afloat when the starters are on the floor -- Ariza containing KD, Harden catching fire, Howard dominating Thunder bigs PF/C Serge Ibaka and C Enes Kanter, whatever it may be -- they’ll get killed in the second unit, night-in and night-out in this series. Plus, you know, Westbrook and Durant are pretty good.
 
Prediction: Oklahoma City wins, 4-1
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