When the season began, there was cautious optimism.
Maybe James Harden would stay. (He didn’t.)
Maybe Christian Wood was the real deal. (He is!)
Maybe DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall would regain their pre-injury form. (Ehhhh.)
Maybe the Rockets could get into the playoffs. (Uh, yeah...)
Obviously, the team that ends the cursed 2020-21 season looks quite different than the one that started it. Gone are several recent fixtures, and in their place have come temporary replacements and some young players with potential. The verdict is still out on how well Houston will move on from the James Harden Era, but for now they are lost at sea.