[Media] How the Rockets can win (or lose) the NBA title

This is a surprisingly well-reasoned look at the possibilities for this season. Obviously, how far we go depends greatly on how well Westbrook functions in the MDA system.

Link

Here's the TL;TLTR (too long, too lazy to read)...

Upside: "In sum, the ingredients are all here. It's just a question of finding the proper amounts, the best combinations, and the right cooking process. With 82 games in the test kitchen, the Rockets ought to be able to hone a championship recipe.

The Rockets are flush with top-end talent, have perhaps the best offensive player in the league, and employ a formula that's proven successful against everyone but the apex Warriors (against whom failure is relative, anyway). Houston was plainly the second-best team in the West last season, and it arguably improved over the summer by swapping out a fraying Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook - a younger, more propulsive, more durable point guard."

Downside: "Doubts about the Rockets have to start with the questionable fit of their two best players. Harden and Westbrook own the two highest single-season usage rates in NBA history and four of the top nine. A regular-season stagger pattern is all well and good, but in the playoffs, they'll need to play together a ton. The Rockets' championship prospects hang on the efficacy of that pairing - and skepticism is warranted.

Once again, {defense} figures to be a particularly glaring issue in the postseason, when Harden and Westbrook will share the backcourt frequently and give opponents two places to attack. Having one weak defensive link is challenging enough to scheme around; having two can undo even the mightiest offensive juggernaut. Tucker can only do so much while covering for everyone else, especially in his age-35 season. If Capela flops in the playoffs the way he did last year, the Rockets will be vulnerable in just about any Western Conference matchup."

GDI;ISITLTR (God damn it, I said I'm too lazy to read!): If all goes well, we'll be cuddling with Larry O'Brien. If not, ClutchFans will be a more miserable place than it's been this last week.