HOUSTON — While the Houston Rockets spent seven months preparing for the start of these Western Conference finals, they’ve spent more than five years preparing for the big moment Game 2 brought.
From the day general manager Daryl Morey traded for James Harden, getting a second chance at a superstar after injuries derailed the careers of Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Houston has been building toward a real chance to compete for a championship.
There have been several stumbles along the way. The failed marriage of Harden and Dwight Howard resulted in one conference finals appearance (and just barely), followed by a .