Featuring shooting guard James Harden, the Houston Rockets remain one of the top contenders in the Western Conference in the upcoming season. The Texas team is returning with virtually the same core that brought them a trip to the West Finals last year but has a key offseason acquisition that could help Harden’s and the Rockets’ offensive load.

Harden placed second in voting for the NBA Most Valuable Player award last season but he will have new teammate, Ty Lawson in the backcourt. The troubled Lawson was acquired in a trade with the Denver Nuggets early in the offseason.

Harden averaged 27.4 points (second in the NBA), 5.7 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 1.9 steals (tied for 5th in the league) per game to lead the Rockets to a 56-26 win-loss record—second best in the Western Conference. Harden’s new backcourt partner, Lawson averaged 15.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 9.6 assists in 75 regular season games for the Nuggets. The Rockets will be returning with familiar faces that already know the Rockets fast-paced system. Dwight Howard (15.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocked shots per game) will start at centre, Terrence Jones (11.7 points and 1.8 blocked shots per game) at power forward, Trevor Ariza (12.8 points per game) at small forward and Patrick Beverley (10.1 points and 1.1 steals per game) at the back-up guards spot.

Also available for the Rockets this season are key bench players including Donatas Motiejunas, who will back-up the forward spots; Corey Brewer, who will spell Ariza at the 3-spot or even the 2-guard spot; and veteran guard Marcus Thornton. The main problem for the Rockets last year was that some players missed a good amount of games that hurt their rhythm throughout the year; Howard missed half the regular season and reportedly played hurt in the playoffs while Jones and Beverley also missed time in the regular season.

2015-2016 Houston Rockets Projected Depth Chart:
Point Guards: Ty Lawson/Patrick Beverley/Jason Terry
Shooting Guards: James Harden/Marcus Thornton/ K.J. McDaniels
Small Forwards: Trevor Ariza/Corey Brewer/Sam Dekker
Power Forwards: Terrence Jones/ Donatas Motiejunas/
Centres: Dwight Howard/ Clint Capela

Other 2015-2016 NBA Team Previews:
Re-tooled San Antonio Spurs among the favourites to win NBA championship
Memphis Grizzlies to continue ‘Grit N’ Grind’ style in new season

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