Magic Johnson Inexplicably Leaves The Houston Rockets Off His List Of Title Contenders

The Houston Rockets made the Western Conference Finals last season. They return every member of what was arguably the deepest roster in basketball, and added a borderline All-Star level point guard to the mix. And perhaps most importantly, Kevin McHale’s team is healthy as it embarks on the quest for a title in 2015-16.

Magic Johnson, though, doesn’t seem to care. Despite the Rockets’ incredible wealth of talent and experience, the Hall of Famer isn’t sold on them as legitimate championship contenders.

The Golden State Warriors should be considered universal favorites to win a second consecutive championship. The San Antonio Spurs’ sterling track record ensures they’re always a prudent title pick, and the addition of LaMarcus Aldridge only makes Gregg Popovich’s team a stronger one.

Health provided, the Oklahoma City Thunder might already have a couple Larry O’Brien Trophies to their name. And the Los Angeles Clippers, with Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and a much-improved supporting cast, have all the tools be the last team standing come June.

But Houston, at the very least, deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as the Spurs, Thunder, and Clippers as teams most likely to win a championship other than the Warriors.

The Rockets have star power, complementary role players, the deepest bench in basketball, and the potential for an ideal blend of two-way prowess that’s proved the hallmark of a vast majority of title-winners. They face no task like San Antonio does by implementing Aldridge; have consistency on the bench Oklahoma City lacks; and just dispatched of Los Angeles last May without the services of Patrick Beverley, Donatas Motiejunas, or Lawson.

Houston may not win a championship this season. In fact, the odds are surely against it. But for Johnson to disregard the Rockets’ chance at a third title in franchise history entirely is indicative of at least one of the following thing: He simply forgot about them; he still harbors ill-will toward Dwight Howard for the big man’s lost season with the Los Angeles Lakers; or he’s simply lost all credibility as a basketball analyst.

And considering Johnson’s thoughts about the Lakers’ postseason chances, it’s unfortunately the former scenario that seems most likely.