What must this Rockets team answer to be a contender?

This is clearly the Rockets best team since 1997. You can argue Yao-Mac being better 1-2 punch than H & H, but overall team wise Lin/Parsons/Asik >> Rafer/Battier/Hayes - not to mention the reserves, not to mention this team is FAR YOUNGER than the last healthy Yao-Mac team - which in my view, never had either the role players necessary, or the healthy stars necessary - to be a legit title contender.

This team is much closer, and it's a great time to be a Rockets fan for sure. But I was thinking, what are the questions that this team must answer to truly be able to knock of a OKC, SA, or Miami in a tough playoff series.

James Harden:
The only chink in his game is the trouble he has with longer, stronger, athletic defenders. Harden isn't the type to elevate over such defenders like Kobe can, and he's not strong enough to out muscle them...but it's nothing that a quick screen doesn't usually solve. Still being able to post up inside the 3 point line is a needed element to his game, as well as learning what to do when he isn't getting the foul calls. As for his defense - it's unlikely that James will ever be a great defender, but he will at some point need to be able to lock-down in crunch time. He has the ability to play strong D, so it's not too big of a concern right now. When a series is on the line, great players tend to pull out their gifts in unexpected ways.
Question is can he make those adjustments when he is not getting the calls and has guys longer more athletic defenders on him. Answer: Probably

Dwight Howard:
It appears that he is fully bought in, and with Hakeem & McHale, there's no doubt in my mind his post play won't improve. I also don't seem him having a problem getting the ball. I really am convinced that he's going to be happy in Houston - he's not only matured, but I think he knows that he's got 2 strikes and in the court of public opinion he is out of excuses. In terms of his FT shooting, I suspect happiness will do a lot to improve it - as much as it can be. Hard to believe that any kind of coaching is going to improve it on a 27 year old. But Shaq and Duncan prove you don't need to be a great at the charity stripe to win a ring. So what's his biggest question mark? Health. The real X factor is what no one knows, not even DH - and that's how that back is going to hold up when he really starts pushing himself. An NBA big man has two big weaknesses. His back, and his feet. We all know about feet. But just ask LJ about what a back injury can do to your career.
Question: Will his back be strong? Answer: Let's hope so

Chandler Parsons:
Probably the best player dollar for dollar in the NBA right now - and it's amazing the positive energy he brings to this team. If he was older, he'd be team captain without a doubt. Taking Lin under his wing, recruiting Dwight, and repping us at the draft. He's quickly becoming a leader for sure. And his play is improving at an incredible rate. Not just from one season to another, but his Mar/April stats were all-star worth, shooting over 50% fg and 44% 3 fg. No wonder Morey is so high on him. If there is one kink, then it might be his defense. Not terrible, but overall, the teams perimeter defense is weak. But with Harden focused on offense, Parsons has to pick up some of the slack or DH is going to get over-run.
Question: Will he keep getting better at D Answer: First month will tell us a lot

Power Forward:
DMo disappointed last year - but in fairness, he's ridiculously young despite all that talent. He's shown us flashes of brilliance but has yet to really put a string of games together that shows he can score, play smart D, and make mature decisions all around. TJ also showed flashes of brilliance but again, has yet to show he can leave a consistent impact on both ends of the floor. While the perfect power forward is going to have a mid-range to 3 point jumper like 2Pat, the bigger question is just overall play. Again, you can't leave Asik/Howard to defend the rim and rebound on their own.
Question: Can either Jones or DMO step up and assert themselves as the starter at the 4? Answer: Probably not anytime soon

Jeremy Lin:
Lin is well, the most argued over player on this forum. He definitely improved quite a bit over the season, but he still faces critical questions. Multiple ones. From his outside shooting, to weather or not he can handle the pressure of premier defenders which at times can make him look like he is in over his head. It's expected with time he will grow and learn to deal with the defense - slower point guards have learn this and Lin doesn't lack intelligence, and he works hard. By the same token, he's a solid passer, and has reduced his turnovers. And his jump shot has improved and there's no reason to think that he can not shoot 37% from 3pg next season, if not better...and he definitely should strive to do better. He'll never be a great on the ball defender, very rarely do players improve in this area...but if the above issues get addressed, he doesn't have to be.
Question: Can Jeremy Lin mature his game fast enough to earn McHale's and Morey's trust before getting traded? Answer: Check back on Feb 1st

 

Based on what I've seen so far, I think McHale is a championship caliber coach. No questions there. And thus far, our bench looks pretty decent. We need to decide who is going to be the 6th man spark plug. Is it PB? The problem with Bev is that he isn't really a scorer.

So that's a role we will need to fill.

People talk about Defense, but that will come with time. It's honestly not that critical right now. The harder part is to get everyone click on offense together.

 

I think a locked down defender is pretty rare. Afterall, after Battier and Bowen, there's not many. Parsons won't be that guy. You need someone who is both very strong and very quick, and longish. But is a lock-down defender required to win a ring? I think not.

You look at the way SA defended LeBron...which was just brilliant, and it wasn't with a locked down defender. It wasn't just Leonard, it was an entire team philosophy.

The PF doesn't need a post-game, not with D.H. anymore. In fact, we need a guy who can be effective away from the post. I doubt Jones can fill that role. And I think Dmo is far away.

As for McHale as a coach. Again, there's plenty of guys who are not X's and O's sort of coaches who win rings. I think he can be the right kind of coach.

 

If Lin can polish his game a bit more and hit 40% I think we are good at the 4. Biggest concern with Lin is if he can handle a defensive point guard putting pressure on him. He's struggled with that but I think he can grow into it.

the 4 is really what breaks our back as a contender. It's a huge weakness, and DH will need help there. Not sure if Asik can play the 4 without clogging the lane since he has no jump shot, and his man will just stay close to the paint.

I tell you, if we could get LMA with just moving Asik + filler that would elevate this team from maybe a contender to probably the top team in the league.