A Mad Men guide to the 2018-19 NBA Season

“Change is neither good nor bad. It simply is.” — Houston Rockets

Let’s rewind the clock back to the Fall of 2014, shall we?

The Houston Rockets, who jumped from 34 to 54 wins over the span of two years, had been pegged as one of the losers of the NBA offseason. Chandler Parsons, their second-round gem who seemed to embody everything they wanted to do on offense, had bolted to Dallas. Daryl Morey, it was said, had gotten too cute by half in failing to secure Parsons’ long-term future in Houston. Obits on the Rockets GM were en vogue.

We know what happened next. Morey traded for Trevor Ariza, who went on to finish third in minutes and seventh in made threes that season. Houston made its first Western Conference Finals since 1997. Crow was consumed in large quantities. People who hadn’t already quickly realized: doubt Dork Elvis at your own risk.

How quickly they forget. After four successful seasons playing alongside Harden, Ariza was allowed to depart for Phoenix. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute also won’t be back, and suddenly, two of the Rockets switchiest wings are gone. The Morey doubters are back in full force.

Maybe this time they’re right. Maybe James Ennis is nothing more than a career journeyman whose below-average deep ball won’t improve with more space and opportunity. Maybe Carmelo Anthony is as washed as he looked last year, and playing alongside the two best distributors he’s ever shared the court with won’t make a lick of difference. Maybe last year was their best shot, and it’s someone else’s turn to challenge the throne now.

Or maybe we simply haven’t learned our lesson.