The Houston Rockets have proven to be more than just a young team on the rise this season. They are currently the second seed in the Western Conference, boasting a record of 32-14. Recently, they have achieved significant victories against some of the top teams in the NBA, including two wins over the Cavaliers, as well as defeats of the Celtics, Nuggets, and Grizzlies. With an average roster age of just 24.8 years, many players are only beginning to tap into their potential. Despite their youth, the Rockets are emerging as one of the best teams in the league and have the capability to make a deep playoff run.
One of the most impressive aspects of this Houston Rockets team is their commitment to defense. The Rockets are currently the fifth-ranked defense in the NBA giving up just108.4 points per contest. Head coach Ime Udoka deserves a ton of credit for his team's improvement on defense which is a major reason for their vast improvement from last season. The previous year, the Rockets finished with a 41-41 record barely missing out on the play-in tournament but showed a lot of promise. This year, they have taken a huge step forward as a team and have been the most surprisingly impressive team so far.
Houston boasts a wealth of young talent, with franchise cornerstones Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun at the forefront. Both players have the potential to form an elite duo for years to come, as they have already posted All-Star caliber numbers at just 22 years old. Another player showing signs of star potential is second-year forward Amen Thompson. Thompson is an excellent wing defender and has recently become more impactful on the offensive end. In the Rockets' victory over the Celtics on Monday, Thompson scored a career-high 33 points and hit the game-winning shot over Jaylen Brown. This performance marked his fifth game with over 20 points in January. Thompson is currently the Rockets' fourth-leading scorer, averaging 13.7 points, and his improving scoring ability is making Houston an even better team.
The Houston Rockets have the talent and potential to significantly impact the Western Conference. After missing the playoffs last year, they are not only ahead of schedule but could also potentially eliminate other expected contenders in the West. Despite being a young team, their talent is proving to be more impactful than their lack of experience, as they accumulate quality wins. It remains uncertain how high their ceiling could be, but I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals.
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