Fansided

NBA Playoff Contenders and Pretenders

By Luke Dahlgren

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Blazer fans cheer during introductions in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Blazer fans cheer during introductions in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs between the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 9
Next
Apr 5, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) talk to Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) after a play during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza (1) and Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) talk to Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) after a play during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

. Pretender. Western Conference. HOUSTON ROCKETS. A

In the Western Conference jumble from the second to sixth seed , the Rockets ended up coming out on top of the jumbled mess to claim home court advantage for the opening two rounds of the playoffs. Houston is just one game ahead of the sixth-seeded San Antonio Spurs, and over the course of a seven game series, the differences between any of the teams from two through six becomes negligible.

That is where depth becomes a major factor. The Spurs have superb depth, and they are built to outlast any team they come up against with pacing and spacing.

The strength of the Rockets becomes apparent when they slow down the pace of the game and force their opponents to work in half court sets and commit fouls. In those half court sets, shooting guard James Harden becomes an offense onto himself, winning on isolation plays by getting penetration and drawing fouls or finishing at the basket, or he draws double teams and sets up chances for his teammates. Those teammates more than likely are equipped to benefit from the offense generated by Harden.

At full health, the Rockets are definite contenders. Even with decreased depth the Rockets still have the ability to reach the Western Conference Finals; James Harden and the snail’s pace game will help the Rockets cool whatever team they face off against in the first two rounds. But as the grind of the playoffs progress, the Rockets will need to become far less reliant on the production of their starters and best players, and when that happens, much fresher teams will be able to take advantage.

Whether that is San Antonio in the second round or Golden State in the Conference Finals, the Rockets opponents will be fresher and ready to kill the Rockets with pace.

The Houston Rockets square off against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round. Dallas will need to be reliant on the play of their offense if they hope to make it very far in this series; their defense is atrocious, and the Rockets should be able to out-rebound them and win the possession battle. But as the playoffs will continue, faster teams that can still rebound like the Spurs or the Dubs will make the possession battle both closer and less important for victory.

More from FanSided

Home/NBA