It’s been a while, but the Rockets are back.
The Houston Rockets clinched a postseason spot for the first time since the departure of James Harden and Russell Westbrook. It is safe to say that after the torture Rockets fans endured during the Stephen Silas era, a playoff berth is due.
Now, for me, I was lucky in my first season heavily following the team. Houston finished with a record of 65-17, their best record in the franchise’s history, and the best record in the Western Conference. I spent much of that year telling all my teachers, friends, and anyone who would listen about my excitement from watching the Rockets, but we know how that ended (looking at you, Scott Foster). However, I was hopeful for another postseason run the following year.
The 2018-2019 season came and went, and while Houston was not the same juggernaut as the year prior, I felt confident going into the postseason. The first round series versus Utah went great, and I remember making jokes with my science teacher before class. I truly felt ready. However, just like the year prior, the Rockets met the Golden State Warriors, but unlike last season, this time, Houston faced Golden State in the second round. Of course, Houston fumbled, and this felt like the beginning of the end. That postseason was a weird one, with General Manager Daryl Morey trading Chris Paul, PLUS four draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Russell Westbrook.
Despite everything, I still felt hopeful. Houston finished the COVID-19 season at the fourth seed with 44 wins and 28 losses. After a stressful seven-game series versus Chris Paul and the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston faced the Los Angeles Lakers led by Lebron James and Anthony Davis. Despite Houston’s efforts, they ultimately fell to the Lakers in five games.
This, my friends, is where the Rockets’ time as a playoff team ended. All summer, reports surfaced that James Harden was unhappy and was out partying. When Harden did not report on time for training camp, it was safe to assume something was wrong. Fast forward a few weeks, and as I am on the way to school, I get the news that Houston traded Russell Westbrook for John Wall. Unsure what to think, I was ready for the drama to end and the season to start. Of course, many remember James Harden’s famous quote after the Rockets’ blowout loss to the Lakers on January 12.
The clip took the internet by storm as many Rockets fans were prepared for the end. The next afternoon, Wednesday, January 13, James Harden was traded to the Brooklyn Nets. It was one of those moments in my life where I remember exactly where I was when the trade went down. I know at that moment that Houston would not be in the playoffs for a long, long time.
Sure enough, I was right, as after Houston finished that season 17-55, the Rockets failed to reach over 25 wins for the next two seasons, finishing with 20 wins the next season, and 22 the season after that. Thankfully, things began to look up as Houston hired Ime Udoka and drafted Amen Thompson while also signing Fred VanVleet and doing a sign-and-trade for Dillon Brooks. Ime Udoka provided the young Rockets with a newfound defensive identity along with discipline that the young guys need, and Fred and Dillon gave the Rockets two veteran leaders.
Houston ended up falling short that season finishing at 41-41, but after managing a record well above 500 for this season, and finally getting a playoff berth, it’s safe to say I am over the moon excited to support the Houston Rockets going into this postseason once again.
It’s been a long journey back the the NBA Playoffs. Let’s go, Rockets!