Photo Credit: Andrew D. Bernstein

So far the NBA season has been the most interesting in the last five seasons, especially the west. The 1-14 seeds in the west are all separated by less than seven games. The Houston Rockets started off the season slow, but are far from done. The Rockets are one of the most dangerous teams in the NBA.

People point to the loss of Trevor Ariza and discuss how much worse their defense is, and while this is true (allowing over 109 ppg), the NBA, in general, is scoring more all around the league this year. The Rockets have not been near as bad as the record shows. They are 14-9 with Chris Paul in the lineup. That alone gives them a .608 win percentage, which right away puts them 5th best in the West. Two of the losses with Chris Paul came without James Harden. When those two play together they are 14-7 (.666 win percentage), which puts them right with Golden State.

Houston has had a disappointing start to the year, but that is more due to injury than the loss of Ariza and worse defense. Clint Capela who has a negative RPM has actually been their weakest link to date but is starting to put it together over the last five games and the Rockets have won three straight. While the Rockets might be out of the playoffs right now, I still would expect this team in Golden State at the end of the year.