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NBA Season Preview 2017-18: 5 ways everything goes right for the Rockets

By Connor Learn

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 19: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Chris Paul #3 of the Los Angeles Clippers shake hands before the game on December 19, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets gambled big this summer, bringing in Chris Paul in an effort to chase a title. What does it look like if everything breaks right?

The Houston Rockets had the league’s second-best record last season and could have comfortably rolled that team back into this season. But General Manager Daryl Morey wasn’t comfortable atop the NBA’s second-tier: he blew his team up to pursue the Golden State Warriors and an NBA championship. Chris Paul was brought in, a move that many criticized. The Rockets also added other veterans to fill out their roster in less controversial moves. Will this summer’s transactions bring out the best of the Rockets or prove to bring them down? Here’s a look at how it could all go right in Houston.

5. James Harden and Chris Paul co-exist

The Rockets move to acquire Chris Paul this summer was a polarizing move to many fans. Proponents of the trade pointed out that the Rockets got better by giving up a collection of so-so assets for the future Hall-of-Fame point guard, who was the best player involved in the trade. Opponents of the move argued that Harden and Paul couldn’t co-exist on the same team and share a basketball. It will take a good portion of the season for one side or the other to be proven correct.

Coach Mike D’Antoni can help engineer peace between his offense’s twin engines if he manages them correctly. The Rockets set a number of league records for 3-point shots last season as a result of the style of basketball they chose to play. The increased pace should help create sufficient enough opportunity for both of their All-NBA guards. The potential of staggering their minutes so that one is always on the floor will help as well. It’s possible that Harden and Paul only play together at the beginning and end of halves.

Ultimately, the success of the Harden-Paul experiment will come down to egos. While it is true that both Harden and Paul operate best with the ball in their hands, both also shoot well enough to play off-ball successfully. Harden can grow from this experience and learn lessons about point guard skills and game intensity from Paul and be fresher in April than he has in seasons prior. He can also clash with the new alpha in the room, as many expect. But the overall success of this Rockets team will swing on the ability of Harden and Paul to set their egos aside and play together successfully.