To the NEW CHAMPIONS...
Apr 2, 2017 21:47:00 GMT -5
Tampa Bay Bull Sharks, zephyr, and 3 more like this
Post by Miege22 on Apr 2, 2017 21:47:00 GMT -5
A very hearty CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
After losing a heartbreaking finals last season to the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks, the Houston Rockets came into this season with one mission: finish the job. Unlike a lot of teams that make it to the finish line and fall, the Rockets didn't make any big moves. They re-signed Kawhi Leonard and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. They signed Paul Zipser and Norm Powell. But that was it. The Rockets were going to trust their core to improve, and improve they did. Kawhi Leonard took another step forward, firmly cementing himself as an MVP candidate. Nikola Jokic went to part-time difference maker to full-time game changer. All the while, Steph Curry continued to do Steph Curry things.
The season was not without adversity, however. The Rockets started the year without do-everything forward Khris Middleton, and there was no timetable for his return. The Rockets opened the season with a finals rematch against the Bull Sharks, but lost a hard-fought 5-4 battle. They righted the ship for 8 straight wins, setting up a showdown with a new power in the West: the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets fell, 7-2, but the match was far closer than the score showed. The Rockets rebounded to win their final 6 games, but disaster struck in the final week. Jabari Parker tore his ACL for the second time in his career and would be declared out for the playoffs.
The Parker now out, and Middleton just starting to find his footing, the Rockets seemed ripe for an upset loss. Their new big three was having none of that, though, as they combined for 491 points, 196 rebounds, 124 assists, and 46 steals. The Rockets snuck past Golden State setting up a Western Conference finals showdown with... the underdog Utah Jazz.
The Jazz have been one of the best teams in the league, arguably the premier franchise in the entire Western Conference. And yet, this was their first appearance in the Western Conference finals since 2014, when they made the finals and fell to Brooklyn. As the first weak came to a close, it looked as though the Jazz could pull off another upset. However, the Rockets kept on firing, eventually pulling away for an 8-1 win. Once in the finals the Rockets prepped themselves for yet another rematch.... for the second consecutive round, though, it wasn't to be.
The Washington Wizards took down the two-time defending champion Bull Sharks, guaranteeing that there would be a first-time champion this season. However, the Rockets were still looking to give the Western Conference their first NBA title since 2011. While the win wasn't secured until the last few days, the Rockets led throughout, proving that they were, by most every measure, the strongest team in the league this season.
The Rockets now enter rarefied air. They are one of only 6 teams to win a title. Every player on their roster is under contract through next season. They could be the strongest defending champion in league history, which is a strong statement given the recent champions we've seen. Now, the pressure is really on. The last two teams to win the championship have managed to repeat (Brooklyn 13-14, Tampa Bay 15-16). The Rockets will have a minefield to navigate in the suddenly powerful Western Conference, but they'll have the talent and experience to do so. We'll see if luck and timing will be on their side...
After losing a heartbreaking finals last season to the Tampa Bay Bull Sharks, the Houston Rockets came into this season with one mission: finish the job. Unlike a lot of teams that make it to the finish line and fall, the Rockets didn't make any big moves. They re-signed Kawhi Leonard and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. They signed Paul Zipser and Norm Powell. But that was it. The Rockets were going to trust their core to improve, and improve they did. Kawhi Leonard took another step forward, firmly cementing himself as an MVP candidate. Nikola Jokic went to part-time difference maker to full-time game changer. All the while, Steph Curry continued to do Steph Curry things.
The season was not without adversity, however. The Rockets started the year without do-everything forward Khris Middleton, and there was no timetable for his return. The Rockets opened the season with a finals rematch against the Bull Sharks, but lost a hard-fought 5-4 battle. They righted the ship for 8 straight wins, setting up a showdown with a new power in the West: the Memphis Grizzlies. The Rockets fell, 7-2, but the match was far closer than the score showed. The Rockets rebounded to win their final 6 games, but disaster struck in the final week. Jabari Parker tore his ACL for the second time in his career and would be declared out for the playoffs.
The Parker now out, and Middleton just starting to find his footing, the Rockets seemed ripe for an upset loss. Their new big three was having none of that, though, as they combined for 491 points, 196 rebounds, 124 assists, and 46 steals. The Rockets snuck past Golden State setting up a Western Conference finals showdown with... the underdog Utah Jazz.
The Jazz have been one of the best teams in the league, arguably the premier franchise in the entire Western Conference. And yet, this was their first appearance in the Western Conference finals since 2014, when they made the finals and fell to Brooklyn. As the first weak came to a close, it looked as though the Jazz could pull off another upset. However, the Rockets kept on firing, eventually pulling away for an 8-1 win. Once in the finals the Rockets prepped themselves for yet another rematch.... for the second consecutive round, though, it wasn't to be.
The Washington Wizards took down the two-time defending champion Bull Sharks, guaranteeing that there would be a first-time champion this season. However, the Rockets were still looking to give the Western Conference their first NBA title since 2011. While the win wasn't secured until the last few days, the Rockets led throughout, proving that they were, by most every measure, the strongest team in the league this season.
The Rockets now enter rarefied air. They are one of only 6 teams to win a title. Every player on their roster is under contract through next season. They could be the strongest defending champion in league history, which is a strong statement given the recent champions we've seen. Now, the pressure is really on. The last two teams to win the championship have managed to repeat (Brooklyn 13-14, Tampa Bay 15-16). The Rockets will have a minefield to navigate in the suddenly powerful Western Conference, but they'll have the talent and experience to do so. We'll see if luck and timing will be on their side...