As the Spurs stand atop the Southwest Division, the rival Houston Rockets are struggling to stay afloat. After allowing veteran wings Trevor Ariza and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute walk in free agency, Houston is adapting to a less experienced group with limited offensive firepower and a weaker defense.
Amidst the turmoil, the Houston Rockets are likely to part ways with forward Carmelo Anthony, who has underperformed to this point in the season. It seems from an outsider’s perspective that Melo is being scapegoated for the Rockets’ poor opening run which is largely in part to the slow start of Houston’s backcourt duo of Chris Paul and James Harden.