SDH's 2013/2014 NBA Worst to First Previews and Predictions: 1. Houston Rockets

+Houston Rockets  Overall Win/Loss Record :  45-37,  third place Southwest Division	Last Season’s Rank 10	Projected 2013/2014 Finish 1
Last Season’s Team Statistics and League Rank Points Scored: 106.0 (2nd) Points Allowed: 102.5 (28th) Team FG%: .461 (9th) Opponent’s FG%: .454 (17th) Team FT%: .754 (17th) Team Three Point FG%: .366 (9th) Rebounds per game: 43.4 (7th) Opponents rebounds per game: 41.6 (11th) Turnovers per game: 15.8 (30th) Opponents turnovers per game: 14.2 (13th)	Returning Individual Statistical Leaders Scoring (ppg): +James Harden  (25.9) Rebounds per game:  +Omer Asik  (11.7) Minutes per game:  James Harden (38.3) Assists per game:  +Jeremy Lin  (6.1) Field Goal Percentage:  Omer Asik (.541) Free Throw Percentage:  Francisco Garcia (.860) Three Point FG Percentage: +Chandler Parsons  (.386) Steals per game:  James Harden (1.8) Blocked Shots per game:   Omer Asik (1.1)
Projected Starters Based on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact: C. Omer Asik PF. +Dwight Howard  SF. Chandler Parsons SG. James Harden PG. Jeremy Lin	Second Unit Roster Order Ranked on Talent, Tenure, and Potential Impact: G. Aaron Brooks F/C. Greg Smith G/F.  Francisco Garcia G/F. Ronnie Brewer G/F. Reggie Williams
Analysis: This may come to a shock to many naming the the Houston Rockets as the top team going into the NBA regular season, but upon looking at all the ingredients they have in their roster, they have the perfect recipe to not only finish with the best record but also possibly represent the Western Conference in next year's NBA Finals.  They started in the off season strongly by snagging the top player in the free agent market in Dwight Howard, who many can argue is the top center in the NBA today, and pairing him with the top shooting guard in the league in James Harden, give the Rockets a fierce inside/outside tandem that rival anyone in the league.  Add a rather solid supporting cast of up and coming swing man Chandler Parsons, a rim protecting rebounding monster in Omer Asik and one of the league best known underdog stories, Jeremy Lin, the Rockets have arguably one of the league's best starting rotations.  Both Asik and Howard, based on their numbers last season, combined have the potential to give the Rockets an average of 30 points, 28 rebounds and nearly five blocked shots per game. As for the perimeter tandem of Lin, Harden and Parsons, you are talking about a potential offensive output of 55 points and 15 assists per game--and those are just conservative number and they can be far higher upon opening tip off. Along with a devastatingly powerful starting five, the Rockets also boast one of the biggest and strongest rosters in the league with five extremely talented players who range from 6' 9" to 7'1" and a bevy of options from the perimeter which can make any opposing coach green with envy.  Behind Howard and Asik are two surprisingly talented big men who would otherwise start in the NBA in 6' 10" 250lb Greg Smith and 7' 1" Donatas Montiejunas along with a gifted swing man who could possibly play both the three and four spots in 6' 9" 250lb Terrence Jones. Last season, Smith was one of the surprises on the team as he came of the bench to give the team 6 points, 5 rebounds per game while shooting .620 from the field and did it in under 16 minutes per game.  Montiejunas also showed plenty of promise as well in his rookie season as he played in 44 games, starting in 14 of them while averaging five points and 2 rebounds in just 12 minutes per game; however, what was even more impressive was his two game stint in the NBA D-League where he scored 31 and 17 points along with 8 and 11 rebounds respectively.  As for Jones, although he did not play much last season, coming out of college many had likened him because of his size, strength, basketball skills and acumen to superstar +LeBron James and given a chance, he might prove to be quite a sleeper this upcoming season. Perimeter wise, the Rockets are just simply stacked with a wealth of shooters along with apt perimeter defenders that can given any opponent cause to second guess themselves on both the offensive and defensive ends.  Patrick Beverley returns to the lineup after having a rather respectable season backing up Jeremy Lin averaging five points and three assists per game in 17 minutes of playing time as well as Francisco Garcia, who also provided a solid perimeter presence off the bench averaging five points while shooting a respectable .367 from beyond the arc.  The Rockets also added during the off season three additional players in help bolster the back court even further by adding more shooting and defensive toughness bringing in defensive stoppers Ronnie Brewer and Omri Casspi along with shooters Aaron Brooks and Reggie Williams to provide additional scoring punch.  Most Rockets fans will remember Brooks as he was originally drafted by Houston in 2008 and had a breakout season where he posted a career high 19.6 points per game which earned him the award for Most Improved Player in 2010; however, since then he has been less than spectacular as his numbers to a drastic dive over the next the next three years.  Nonetheless, despite the downturn in his career, brook still gives the Rockets an additional scoring option if needed and may even usurp Beverly as Jeremy Lin's backup if he is not careful. Altogether the Rockets are hands down the most talented and powerful NBA in the coming season who have the potential to not only lead the league in wins, but also most if not every statistical category as well such as scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, and field goal percentage.  Unfortunately the question remains on whether they can truly fulfill that potential with the current coaching staff who may rank high in terms of reputation, but low when it comes to results.  Over his two season as Rockets head coach, Kevin McHale's performance can bee characterized as ranging between marginal to mediocre at best with the Rockets barely surpassing .500 his first season and just capable of scraping by to earn their first playoff appearance in four years.  With the team he has, it is impossible to think that McHale would not only be able to lead such a team to not only the playoffs, but also may earn himself coach of the year honors by season's end. Unfortunately in his final season as head coach, it is doubtful that McHale will return as the Rockets may choose to part ways with him in favor of a championship caliber coach such as Phil Jackson or even Larry Brown. More than likely, unless the Rockets manage to not only reach the Finals, but also win its third NBA title since 1995, it is doubtful that McHale will return to the coaching chair at season's end,  no matter how well his team plays.  He is simply just keeping that seat warm for the next guy as the Rockets have the necessary pieces to entice the legendary Phil Jackson to come out of retirement and bring his third team to another three NBA championship trophies. If not Phil Jackson, then they can possibly go another route and pry Larry Brown away from the NCAA who will bring an old school approach to the his strict disciplined style that has brought him to the NBA Finals three times, an NBA Championship ring, and countless accolades to say the least. Regardless of what may happen in the future, one thing remains clear and that after nearly 19 years of patiently waiting, Houston Rockets fans have finally something to really cheer about as their team has finally returned to the spotlight once again.  If it does not happen this season, then possibly next season or the one after that as Houston not only have the makings of a championship team, but another potential dynasty on their hands.