It’s been almost two weeks since the Houston Rockets once again came just short against their arch-nemesis the Golden State Warriors. This is not just another loss; this loss will set their franchise back for the next 5 to 7 years. This loss will corrupt their locker room and this loss is the loss they won’t ever live down. They had their biggest opportunity, Kevin Durant got hurt in the third quarter of Game 5, yet the Rockets couldn’t get it done. In-game 6, Vegas had the Rockets favored by 7.5 and so did most of America, not to mention they were at home and the Warriors were without KD. Once again, they couldn’t get it done, all year Chris Paul, Clint Capela and P.J. Tucker were adamant about “running it back” and swore if CP3 didn’t get hurt in last year’s playoffs they would of went to the NBA Finals. Well, they had a great opportunity, the best chance they have had yet, and they still folded like a cheap tent. Many Rockets fan keep saying “James Harden had 35 points in game 6. He played well”. Unfortunately, that isn’t true yes, he had 35 points but when did he score most of those? In the first three quarters. In the 4th he made 5 baskets, but 2 of which were in garbage time so in reality, he made 3 baskets, but he also had 3 bad turnovers. Some teams can just get it done in the playoffs and Harden the Rockets not only have not and cannot. I think we can start to compare Harden’s shortcomings to his former teammates, Russell Westbrook’s failures. Harden is 35-32 in a playoff since the 13-14 season with no NBA Finals appearances and Westbrook is 25-28 also has no NBA Finals appearances.

This summer the Rockets don’t have any money to sign anybody, and to add insult to injury this is one of the best free-agent classes we have seen in the past 10 years with the headliners being Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson, and Jimmy Butler. Not to mention current Rockets Austin Rivers, Gerald, Green and Daniel House are free-agents as well, and next summer former 6th man of the year Eric Gordon is also a free-agent. As for Gordon in certain moments he looked like the Rockets 2nd best guard. If that wasn’t bad enough the Rockets do not have any first-round picks in this year’s draft. Also, they are old, Chris Paul is a shell of himself and keep in mind two out of the next three years they owe him over 40 million dollars. Although P.J. Tucker has played well he’s 34 and will start to decline soon. When CP3’s contract is up Harden will be 32 years old and Clint Capela will be 27 and will be looking for an extension. Think about it honestly, what young star approaching free-agency wants to play with an aging James Harden and a Center in Clint Capela whose offensive game is lackluster, to say the least. Over the duration of Paul’s three-year contract, the Rockets will miss out on major free-agents like Anthony Davis, Demar Derozan, Draymond Green, Paul George, Blake Griffin, etc…

Over this five-year dynasty, the Warriors have built there has been one team in the West that was designed to beat them, and it was Houston. Now that window of opportunity is over. The Western Conference will continue to get better and the Rockets will fall back to the pack. This summer if the Clippers, Lakers, Trail Blazers sign a key free-agent they will be favored over the Rockets, assuming Durant leaves what if the Warriors bring in a free- agent like Tobias Harris or upgrade their bench? They would be favored to win the West and the Championship (again). What about Denver? If Michael Porter Jr comes back and lives up to his potential, they might be the favorite to win the West or at least finish 2nd.

At this very moment, it doesn’t look good for Houston, unfortunately, the Rockets will be good enough over the next three years so their first-round picks will be well out of the lottery so the likely-hood of their draft selection being a major contributor or future star is unlikely. However, there is hope for Space City if they can talk to CP3 and restructure his deal and consider trading Capela they will be right back on track to win a championship. If not the James Harden and Chris Paul will finish their careers in Houston and will never win the title and Harden will join the list of MVPs’ to never win a title that includes Allen Iverson, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, and Steve Nash.