History of the Rockets over the last 12 months (from 10/6/12)

Just for fun (and for those with short memories), let's review the evolution of the Rocket's team and especially the team's top scoring options over the last 12 months.

1. Exactly 365 days ago the Rocket's #1 scoring option (and the face of the franchise) was none other than Jeremy Lin. I do not recall who the #2 scoring option was supposed to be at that time, but it was not Chandler Parsons, who was coming off of a rookie season were he averaged 9.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.16 steals in 63 games. This was a solid rookie performance for a second round draft pick, but he had not established himself as consistent 3 point scorer option yet and was regarded more as a defensive stopper and a guy who gave 100% all the time and was an intelligent, team oriented player. Asik had already been acquired from Chicago, but was not considered a scorer and had never been a starter as center.

As far as the team overall, the general consensus was that the Rockets were very likely a lottery team and were realistically in somewhat of a rebuilding mode.

2. On October 28, 2012, the Rocket's acquired James Harden. At this point, many Rocket's fans apparently made a full memory dump of all of their pessimistic thoughts and predictions for the team. However, considering the rest of the team surrounding Harden, there was not a general sense that the Rockets were going to be more than just pretty good. The debate was at that time whether the Rockets were going to be good enough to make the playoffs. Actually, they turned out to a little better than many people thought going into the regular season last year. But only a little.

The scoring options going into the regular season last year where:
1) James Harden
2) Jeremy Lin
3) I don't remember

By the end of the season, the team scoring options where:
1) James Harden
2) Chandler Parsons
3) Jeremy Lin
4) Carlos Delfino

This turned out to be one of the top scoring teams in the league during the regular 2012-13 season. But on the defensive end, not so much.

3 . During the summer of 2012, the Rockets acquired Dwight Howard. The Rockets are now considered by most people to be in the hunt in the West, although I have not seen anyone declare the Rockets to be the solid favorite to be the best team in the West.

Going into the 2013-14 season, the top scoring options are
1) James Harden
2) Dwight Howard
3) Chandler Parsons
4) Jeremy Lin
5) Probably Donatas Motiejunas, but Omri Casspi had a nice first preseason game last night.

How times have changed in only 365 days. Jeremy Lin has gone from the #1 to #4 scoring option, which is really good news for the Rockets, and is only the face of the franchise when they take trips to the orient, such as the one they are currently on. Chandler Parsons has come into his own, and the Rockets have acquired two superstars.

What will the future hold for this team 365 days from now? Time will tell....