Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter both landed on the Houston Rockets when asked which team could be the next surprise to crash the NBA Finals conversation.
McGrady had to sort through the Cavaliers, Rockets, Heat, and Lakers before choosing Houston, and he pointed straight to the return of Fred VanVleet as a major reason for his pick.
“I’m gonna say the Rockets,” said Tracy McGrady. “We got Fred [VanVleet] back, that is the missing piece for them to give them some organization on the basketball court in close games.
Not only can he organize everything, but he is also a bucket-getter. And then you have KD, who can still get you 25 points a night.”
That answer makes sense coming from McGrady, who spent six years with the Rockets. Still, the VanVleet point carries weight.
Houston missed his presence last season, especially with the team forced to use a mix of Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard at his spot. Without a true point guard to steady things, the Rockets fell in the first round against a depleted Lakers team.
Carter backed up McGrady’s view and said VanVleet’s return changes the whole shape of the roster.
“Rockets is where I’m gonna go as well,” said Carter. “I think Fred VanVleet is not only a clutch player in his own right, but he is a facilitator, and he is a veteran who has been around and understands what needs to be done. I think that unlocks the Kevin Durant we all know and love and want to see on that big stage.”
VanVleet’s career line - 14.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game - doesn’t scream superstar, but Houston clearly felt his absence. Now the Rockets can finally put a real organizer at the point, and they also have Marcus Smart available to bring energy at both ends. Add in Bogdan Bogdanovic, and the rotation starts to look a lot sturdier than it did a year ago.
The biggest swing factor, though, is Durant. He posted 26.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game last season, and that kind of production gives Houston a real chance. Pair him with Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson, and the Rockets have the pieces to push for a top-six finish.
That’s why, even with the Lakers, Heat, and Cavaliers making summer additions of their own, Houston is drawing the buzz here. The Rockets may not have the loudest offseason headline, but they do have the kind of depth, chemistry, and experience that can matter most when the Western Conference gets crowded with teams like the Thunder, Spurs, and Timberwolves.
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Once that happened, the Lakers found their footing at the right time and moved past the Rockets in the playoffs before getting swept by the Thunder in the next round. James has since moved on in free agency, signing with the 76ers, but the stretch in Los Angeles served as a reminder of how quickly a contender can change when star roles are forced to evolve. [Read more 🡒]