Timberwolves’ ranking in the Western Conference – Part Three

Mar 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) dribbles against Minnesota Timberwolves forward Adreian Payne (3) in the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

2. Houston Rockets

I’m not sure how the second-place finisher in the West has gone overlooked this past off-season, but the Houston Rockets have.

Things were pretty quiet around the franchise until the acquisition of star point guard Ty Lawson, but mad genius Daryl Morey, the Rockets’ GM, made some subtle moves that will pay dividends in the future.

For example, Sam Dekker, picked eighteenth by the Rockets in the draft, could fill the role that Chandler Parsons left seasons ago. Add him on top of a small forward group including Trevor Ariza and Corey Brewer (who can also play off-guard), and Morey should feel great about his team’s depth at the three-spot.

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The point guard position was a significant weak spot last year — which ultimately fed James Harden to the wolves with the wolves being the Golden State Warriors’ defense — but it shouldn’t be as much of a problem come next season. As mentioned earlier, the addition of Lawson should take stress off of Harden as the primary ballhandler, and with Patrick Beverley coming back healthy, head coach Kevin McHale has a reliable backup that can instill energy and defense into the second unit.

The two-spot, of course, looks promising; Harden will obviously be the starter, but the backups, Marcus Thornton and KJ McDaniels, aren’t too shabby, either — the former is a vet that has had success as a starter in the past while the latter is coming off of a stellar rookie season and is ripe with young talent.

Power forward will also be a strength for the Rockets. Though losing sharpshooter Josh Smith (kidding) to Los Angeles, Terrence Jones and one of last year’s most improved players, Donatas Motiejunas, should add a ton of production there. Also playing the four and maybe some of the five will be rookie Montrezl Harrell, a kid with an endless motor.

Of course, superstar Dwight Howard also resides in Houston for the time being. Howard has the ability to impact the defense tremendously by covering for a few lackluster perimeter defenders (yes, I’m calling out James Harden) with his incredible paint presence. Backup Clint Capela is on track to develop to where he will be able to do the same.

I’m not sold on McHale as a coach, but it seems as though the players love him. He’ll be donning Rockets red for this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he were fired (he probably won’t be) and the Rockets took off (no pun intended) much like the Warriors did after firing Mark Jackson.

Next: #1 - The Champs and the Reigning MVP