I have been writing for some time now that the Rockets’ goal should be to be second best. That logic is underscored by the ramifications of the Steph Curry injury. To recap, many of you felt that a team led by James Harden could never top the Warriors and by extension, felt the Rockets should seek to trade James Harden to facilitate the construction of a team that could. I countered that such a course would be futile and take many years to bear fruit, if it did at all. I argued that, while perhaps defeatist, it was smarter to just aim to be “good enough”, or second best, just hanging around and staying in the picture long enough for luck to strike; I argued that it didn’t make sense to part with Harden when the Warriors’ window could close at any moment. “Staying in the picture” was how the Mavs won their title and how the Spurs won at least one of theirs. And if this Curry injury is as severe as it might be, it’ll be how the Clippers or Thunder will win their first, if the Spurs don’t add yet another. Fortunes turn quickly in the NBA, and if the Rockets were any good, they too would be right in the picture.
Had the Rockets had any pride, they’d be 2-2 at this moment with a very real shot to advance. I don’t think this series is necessarily over, but Houston blew a golden chance. Going forward, this entire episode reaffirms my belief that just being second best is good enough.
