Houston Rockets 2013-14 season preview

Key Additions: Dwight Howard, Francisco Garcia(re-signed), Aaron Brooks(re-signed), Omri Casspi, Ronnie Brewer, Reggie Williams, Marcus Camby, Isaiah Canaan(drafted)

Key Departures: Thomas Robinson, Carlos Delfino

Best Case Scenario

This team won 45 games, and had the chance to clinch the 6th seed in the West before losing their final two games last season. That was without Dwight Howard, or any effective low-post scorer. While Howard battled with a back injury last year, and may not start the season 100 percent healthy, the Rockets should cruise to a 50-55 win season

Morey is no stranger in making in-season trades(he’s made a deadline deal every season that he’s been the GM), and makes another one to bolster the Rockets for their potential playoff run. The Rockets win the Southwest division, get home court advantage in the first round, and soar all the way to the Western Conference Finals.

Worst Case Scenario

Injuries can always come into play, and there’s a small possibility that it could ruin the Rockets’ season. There are two different scenarios that could happen involving an injury: 1)Howard’s back issues come back during the season, and the Rockets limp to a 48-50 win season, with no home court advantage in the playoffs. Or 2)the Rockets fly through during the regular season, securing home court, but struggle with injuries in the playoffs, as they did last season, resulting in a first round exit, and another off-season filled with criticism towards Howard.

It’s also possible that the tandem of Asik and Howard does not end up working, and Morey pulls a trade in an act of desperation. He ships Asik away for a serviceable stretch-power forward such as a Ryan Anderson, who would bring the same attributes as an Omri Casspi. The Rockets would again, become the run-and-gun team they were a year ago, with no signs of stopping anyone defensively, and will cost them in the playoffs.

Most Likely Outcome

I think the Asik/Howard combination will work, and no major trades will be made in the season. With the core that the Rockets have, it will easily be a 50-win season, and a top-4 finish in the West. With the San Antonio Spurs a year older, the Rockets will go toe-to-toe with them for the Southwest division crown.