This is the first season the Rockets had overachieved above expectations

Every year when Adelman was here, we overachieved. I am not trying to prop up the coach. But those few years we were ravaged with injuries and all we had left was a bunch of scrappy role players and we kept getting a winning record in a very tough Western Conference.

 

well beginning of the season the expectations were lottery team that is tanking, even after the lin/asik signing. then the harden deal changed everything..

in 09 the expectations from the beginning of the season was championship. mcgrady injury changed things. expectations were lowered, then we thought we could hang with the lakers and the yao injury changed expectations again.. the depleted rockets taking LA 7 games definitely exceeded most expectations..

 

Moses in 81
And Akeem destroying the defending champion Lakers in '86

Plus. As others have said many teams in the last decade

 

That is a good list to start with. Oh, how soon we forget ... there have been many, many years when the Rockets completely blew my expectations (in a positive way), but that is just me personally.

 

What?

This year's team was leaps and bounds better than last year's. I don't see how that's even a question.