Over the course of the season, despite whatever record James Harden broke or whatever promising stretch the Rockets put together, analysts were always quick to dismiss the Rockets’ title chances for one reason: their defense.
Sure, the Rockets pushed the Golden State Warriors to the brink last year, have the best offense in the league outside Golden State, and have the best scorer in the league, but last year’s Rockets were seventh in defense and this year’s team can’t get out of the bottom five. How can you contend like that?