Road to 1994 championship & Start of new Era compared

Just like last year, I started this year off with hoping we would tank, especially with our three first round picks and cap space next year. Even with the addition of Harden I wanted us to simply develop young guys and hope for a high pick. I actually didn't mind this losing streak we had going but with us being 6-7 I am torn. What to do, what to do..? Then I started to think about Clutch City and found some interesting things and similarities between the early 90s leading up to the championship in 1994 and the team today:

Starting in 1988-1989, the Rockets were in their first full season without Sampson and basically rebuilding phase started. There was a new coach in place, Don Chaney, we had a defensive first identity. Our defense started to get better and for two years (89-90) and (90-91) we were #1 and #2 respectively in that category.

This coincided with us getting younger by acquiring new talent in their first few years (OT, Maxwell, Kenny, AJ, Garland & Brooks) and eventually started to use more rookies in the rotation (Wood, Bullard, Herrera, Winchester, Horry & Cassell). Granted not all of them worked out, but most eventually did well and became part of our rotation in 93-94 (8 out of the listed 12).

Between 88-89 and 91-92 when Chaney was fired, we made the playoffs twice, were eliminated in the 1st round but had no single losing season. Our youngsters kept developing and it is clear we didn't tank. If it wasn't for Olajuwon's injury in 1991 or us facing the Lakers in 1990 and 1991, who knows what would've happened. Anyway, Rudy T took over and re-established the defensive mentality that got lost in 91-92.

With a new and young team in 92-93, we made quite some noise with 2 big winning streaks of 15 and 12 respectively and beating the champs twice. Rudy seemed to get most of his young guns and if it wasn't for some calls in the Sonics series, who knows what would've happened. 93-94 we started with that incredible 22-1 run and had a core of players that developed in only 2-3 years (90-93).

Guys started to buy into Rudy's inside-out system that was suited for our team with at least 2 good shooters on the floor everytime and able to work through Dream and some times Horry / OT. Under Chaney we had a lot of pick and rolls and did not really taking full advantage of Olajuwon who also hadn't matured yet. In 93-94 he had an amazing season, became MVP, and along with our other All-Star Otis Thorpe and company, we won the championship.

Now, let's look at today's Houston Rockets. According to Morey, last year was the first year we were without Yao and the rebuilding started. We found ourselves a new coach in McHale and tanking again was not an option. This time around though, we went from an offensive-minded coach to an old school guy focused on defense. Bill Fitch to Don Chaney in reserve shall we say

2011-2012 was an interesting year as we were coming off a great offensive year (4th in the league) despite being quite young. We regressed however on defense (top 15) and only mildly increased our offense. Personnel wise we had only role players who despite their limits performed well. Fast forward to our second year of rebuilding and you have a very young team with some guys acquired in their early years (Lin, Asik) and an All-Star in Harden.

We already have Parsons in his second year doing very well, similar to Horry, Morris looking like he can contribute and some potential in TJones / D-Mo. The latter can be compared to our role players in Herrera & Bullard whom we drafted and one of which became crucial to our championship run and 22-1 start in Herrera and great spot up shooting when you needed it from Bull.

Last year we had a winning record and it would be in our best interest to keep it that way. Let the youngsters grow together was key to our championship in 93-94 though having Dream was #1. For us to repeat that, Harden will have to become that guy or we would have to acquire another. We had 2 All-Stars then and we need at least 2 now with the way league is. Keep in mind that Harden's only in his third year so getting a slightly though not too much seasoned veteran would help.

Coming off-season there's probably one coming in the form I hope of a PF and could give us a sped up rebuilding-fase and on to the road to the championship. However, I expect even if all goes well, we are still 2-3 years away. This gives us time to develop Morris, TJones, D-Mo and also Lin, Harden & Asik. For us to be successful though we need a coach and the right personnel to get us playing that top 3 defense again.

I expect us to miss the playoffs this year and we will hover around the .500 mark all year long. I also predict McHale will not be here after this year mainly due to his personal life and not handling losses very well. This would give way for again a more player-coach type that Rudy T was. That coach is hopefully defensive minded and will bring out the most of Harden and whoever else is with us next year and following.

There's a lot of what ifs but if all goes well and we get a little lucky with one of our young guys (Lin, Parsons or TJones / D-Mo) and get the right All-Star next off-season + a new coach who gets us playing top defense, we might have a similar road to another championship with no losing seasons, developing young talent and adding good players along the way + no tanking!