Houston Rockets: The Best NBA Team to Never Reach the Finals

HOUSTON, Texas – The Houston Rockets of 2017-18 are often considered one of the best NBA teams to never reach the Finals. With a record of 65 wins, they dominated the regular season and showcased a revolutionary style of basketball.

Under the leadership of general manager Daryl Morey and coach Mike D’Antoni, the Rockets flourished with a lineup that included superstars James Harden and Chris Paul. Each player played a pivotal role, with Harden earning the Most Valuable Player award that season, averaging 30.4 points per game and leading the league in several statistical categories.

Chris Paul, another significant star, surprised many by joining the Rockets after he opted into his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. His intelligence and playmaking added considerable depth to the team. Despite missing much of the early season due to injury, he finished strong, proving critical to the Rockets’ success.

The team’s strength lay not just in its star power but also in its depth. Key contributors like Eric Gordon, Clint Capela, and P.J. Tucker complemented their star players by excelling in designated roles. This effective mix allowed the Rockets to implement a dynamic offensive strategy focused on three-point shooting while still maintaining solid defense—an impressive feat considering their head coach and best player had historically been associated with a one-sided game.

That season marked a turning point for the franchise and NBA as a whole, pushing the boundaries of offensive tactics. The Rockets not only led the league in offensive rating but also impressively secured a seventh-place defensive rating, dispelling the myth that high-scoring teams lacked defensive prowess.

Despite their regular-season success, the Rockets faced the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. After a hard-fought series, they lost in heartbreaking fashion, primarily due to Chris Paul’s hamstring injury during Game 5, keeping him sidelined for the final two games. Houston’s inability to secure the Finals berth haunts fans, as they squandered a 3-2 series lead.

Despite missing the Finals, many fans and analysts argue that the 2018 Rockets transformed basketball. Their innovative approach not only influenced the franchise but also set a benchmark for future teams in the NBA.

For anyone who watched the 2017-18 Rockets dominate the league, it’s clear that they deserved a place in NBA Finals history. A mix of talent, ingenuity, and unfortunate injuries defined their legacy, marking them as one of the most memorable teams in basketball history.