The Houston Rockets have been one of the biggest disapppointments in the NBA this season, posting just a 12-13 record this season after making the Western Conference Finals last year. Houston has even fired head coach Kevin McHale, who they had just signed to an extension last year. Here's what we've seen from them so far this year:
Best win: 110-105 victory over Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 2
Houston's first win of the season came against the fully-healthy Thunder team that has the third best record in the conference. It's one of just three wins the Rockets have over teams that sport winning record.
Worst loss: 105-85 loss to Denver Nuggets on Oct. 28
The Rockets' 20-point loss to the Nuggets in the first game of the season still haunts them as the worst of the season - and probably set the table for their awful start. Denver is just 9-14 this season, but already has two wins over Houston.
Biggest surprise: Firing Kevin McHale
Houston had an absolutely dreadful start to the season and decided to fire head coach Kevin McHale after posting a 4-7 record in their first 11 games. The Rockets had given McHale a fully guaranteed three-year, $12 million extension last season, and it seemed to be a pure panic move - especially after their appearance in the Western Conference Finals last year.
Biggest disappointment: Lack of leadership
This isn't a surprise, but the combo of Ty Lawson, James Harden, and Dwight Howard hasn't exactly worked out until this point. Houston's three best players have yet to really find any sort of chemistry, and while they should be looking at the de facto leader (Harden) to carry them through a tough stretch, they instead held a players-only meeting to complain about Harden's haphazard effort, aloofness, and antics. They won't advance in the playoffs if these three can't figure it out.
Panic or Promise?
Panic. Houston has fallen well behind the other Western Conference contenders with their bad start, and their lack of leadership will hurt them later in the season despite their recent 8-3 stretch.
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