The Houston Rockets are one of the most improved teams in the NBA after signing Dwight Howard in the offseason and while the team still has some pieces to add, the big one is in Texas and now general manager Daryl Morey can build around a core that includes Howard, James Harden and Jeremy Lin.
The Rockets have high hopes for Lin now after acquiring Howard and they feel that he can turn into an All-Star caliber player after spending a year with Harden and now adding Howard to the mix. Lin came over on a lucrative three-year deal from the Knicks and while his first season with the team was solid, it was not spectacular and after he was injured in the playoffs, the level of play for the team dipped. Lin was a superstar for about a week with the Knicks and while he isn't up to the level of Chris Paul yet, the Rockets feel that he can get there and this will be a key year in his development.
Lin was injured against the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs to leave Patrick Beverley as the starter and that came just after Westbrook was lost for the Thunder, taking the point guards totally out of the series. Lin tried to return, but things didn't work out and eventually the Rockets lost, but this season the team sees itself as a prime contender that will be one of the top seeds in the West and not eighth like last season.
Lin will need to work on his ball handling as well as his court vision and while he was able to cut his turnovers down last season, his points per game dipped to below 14 from 14.6 the previous year and he will need to add to that for the Rockets to be successful. Lin was better from three point range and as that part of his game develops, he will turn into a more consistent point guard. Adding Howard to the lineup will only help pull the defense off of Harden and Lin and if the point guard can be more consistent with his shot, the Rockets should be much better.
Howard is a fantastic rebounder and post player and while Omer Asik wanted a trade, he too will likely be around after averaging a double-double and having all those names in the lineup will help Lin get better as well. Beverley is a solid compliment after averaging 12.6 points per game in three starts in the playoffs and having a competent bench backup will only help Lin as well. Chandler Parsons will also benefit and now the Rockets have the chance to truly be an exciting team after scoring the most points per game last season.
