Rockets Got Bump Stocks!

Attention! Houston, we have a contender! Not only do the Rockets have the best record in the league at 63-15, this is also a historical squad. Many teams have aspired to take on the title of “Greatest Team in NBA history”. Whether it be through records in the win and loss column like the legendary 95-96 Chicago Bulls who went 72-10 or the 16-17 Golden State Warriors who won one more game, both squads have specific traits that made them so dominant. For some teams it’s the offensive dominance of a star studded cast, but the Rockets are different in their style of winning.

Last year, the Rockets and the Warriors set the records for three pointers made by a team, but that title belongs solely to Houston this year with 1200 made. This season, they have been virtually unstoppable with James Harden and Chris Brown at the helm of this team. High basketball IQs working in tandem along with super stardom has proven to be the formula to success in the new NBA. In this league, a team needs to be able to hit the 3-pointer, never has there ever been a team that has taken it to this level. Rockets Coach D'antoni made an a risky choice putting the ball in the hands of natural scorer for the point guard job, but it was revolutionary and consistent with what the Warriors are able to do with Steph Curry’s amazing impact on their team.

After a dominant 4-1 Finals Series over Cleveland, the question of what it might take to dethrone them was a constant off-season topic. It is not a easy task to beat the Warrior even when their stars aren't playing, but the task isn't impossible. With the “Beard”, the new addition of Chris Paul as an optional facilitator, and a band of hot shooters, the Rockets have surpassed the dominance of the Warriors. Houston, as a team, are shooting 36% from the arch, but at the volume of shots their able to get up along with the speed of their up-and-down attack, it’s redundant to even say the stat matters. Don’t let that fool you though because they are also ranked defensive efficiency squad in the league.

Their success is attributed to both stats, but so far the most important facet has been the ability to get 3 point shots up and in. The Beard is leading the team with 30.1 points per game and is at the top of the MVP list just like last year, but the resume that this team is building is making his inauguration even more predictable. Make no mistake, the playoffs is a different monst for sure, but from the body of work that has been put together, the Rockets are the favorites in the West. They are capable of winning it all because of their new purposeful defense, but more so because they hit more meaningful shots than anybody else in the NBA. The Rockets don't have to beat on you in order to dominate a game, they simply out-shoot and outrun your team. The only thing that can stop a team that is playing at this high of a level, is themselves. It’s official, put a stamp on them. This team is solidified as a force to be reckon with.