If the Rockets have still not achieved their ultimate dream, namely obtaining an NBA title, in their quest they have shown unparalleled consistency in the league since 2013!
At the end of 3 seasons concluded with a positive result, but without qualifying for the playoffs, the Rockets are looking for a player capable of embodying the franchise and making it happen. They find their happiness in the workforce recently finalist of the Thunder in the summer of 2012, in the person of James Harden.
The bet is then daring, with a 23-year-old player who certainly comes out of the individually successful playoffs, but who has so far played only 7 games as a starter in his first 3 NBA seasons. However, the Bearded Man takes on his new responsibilities wonderfully, and meets the expectations of his leaders by bringing Houston back to the postseason.
The ambitions of the front office have since continued to climb, to focus on the Larry O’Brien trophies. 7 years later, the goal still hasn’t been met, which hasn’t stopped the Texans from doing better than everyone else in the league. They are thus the only ones to have qualified for the finals without interruption since 2013, as evidenced by this list of playoff editions missed by each team from that date.
- Atlanta Hawks: 2017-20
- Boston Celtics: 2013-14
- Brooklyn Nets: 2015-18
- Charlotte Hornets: 2012-13, 2014-15, 2016-20
- Chicago Bulls: 2015-16, 2017-20
- Cleveland Cavaliers: 2012-14, 2018-20
- Dallas Mavericks: 2012-13, 2016-19
- Denver Nuggets: 2013-18
- Detroit Pistons: 2012-15, 2016-18, 2019-20
- Golden State Warriors: 2019-20
- Indiana Pacers: 2014-15
- Los Angeles Clippers: 2017-18
- Los Angeles Lakers: 2013-19
- Miami Heat: 2014-15, 2016-17, 2018-19
- Minnesota Timberwolves: 2012-17, 2018-20
- Memphis Grizzlies: 2017-20
- Milwaukee Bucks: 2013-14, 2015-16
- New Orleans Pelicans: 2012-14, 2015-17, 2018-20
- New York Knicks: 2013-20
- Orlando Magic: 2012-18
- Oklahoma City Thunder: 2014-15
- Philadelphia 76ers: 2012-17
- Phoenix Suns: 2012-20
- Portland Trail Blazers: 2012-13
- San Antonio Spurs: 2019-20
- Sacramento Kings: 2012-20
- Toronto Raptors: 2012-13
- Utah Jazz: 2012-16
- Washington Wizards: 2012-13, 2015-16, 2018-20
A statistic which demonstrates above all the excellence of James Harden in the regular season, always able to place Rocket City in the first 8 places in the West, regardless of the workforce around him. All that remains for the MVP 2018 is to show the same level and the same regularity in postseason, a quality that still escapes him.
While all franchises experienced a period of low performance starting in the 2012-13 season, Houston remained among the strongholds of the Western Conference. A series that the franchise owes mainly to its undisputed leader, James Harden.
