The 2017-18 Houston Rockets roster built one of the most potent offenses in NBA history, finishing the regular season with a franchise-best 65-17 record. Under head coach Mike D'Antoni and general manager Daryl Morey, the team pushed the legendary Golden State Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals, defining an era of modern basketball analytics and pace-and-space execution.
Backcourt Maestroes: James Harden and Chris Paul
At the heart of the team's historic regular season were James Harden and newly acquired point guard Chris Paul. Harden captured his first career Most Valuable Player (MVP) award by averaging 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds per game. His isolation scoring paired seamlessly with Paul's elite floor generalship, creating a dynamic dual-engine backcourt that opposing defenses couldn't solve.
When Paul arrived via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, skeptics questioned whether two ball-dominant guards could coexist. Instead, they weaponized staggering efficiency, alternating pick-and-roll masterclasses that kept defenses in constant rotation. Paul averaged 18.6 points and 7.9 assists during the regular season, anchoring clutch moments when the offense stalled.
The Switch-Heavy Wing Rotation and Defense
Moreyball wasn't just about three-point volume; it required defensive versatility to counter elite teams like Golden State. The front office assembled a lethal wing rotation centered on switchability and physical grit:
- Trevor Ariza: A vital 3-and-D pillar who guarded the opponent's best perimeter threat while spacing the floor from the corners.
- P.J. Tucker: Acquired to play small-ball power center and corner forward, Tucker's physical defense, offensive rebounding, and corner three-point shooting became the emotional heartbeat of the team.
- Luc Mbah a Moute: An elite perimeter defender who shot over 36 percent from deep and provided crucial length before suffering a shoulder injury late in the season.
- Eric Gordon: Serving as the ultimate sixth man, Gordon poured in 18.0 points per game off the bench, earning the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award in 2017 and driving instant offense.
Interior Anchors and Bench Depth
In the paint, Clint Capela emerged as a premier lob threat and rim protector. Capela averaged a double-double with 13.9 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game, shooting a league-leading 65.2 percent from the field while thriving off Harden and Paul's gravity. Veteran center Nenê Hilario provided crucial physical minutes off the bench spelling Capela.
Mid-season additions also bolstered the squad. Gerald Green signed in December after being out of the league, providing an immediate hometown scoring spark with explosive perimeter shooting. Later, veteran guard Joe Johnson joined via the buyout market to offer steady isolation scoring depth.
The Western Conference Finals Showdown
The ultimate test for the 2017-18 Houston Rockets roster arrived in the Western Conference Finals against the defending champion Golden State Warriors. Houston utilized a disciplined, switch-heavy defensive scheme that disrupted Golden State's motion offense, taking a 3-2 series lead.
However, a hamstring injury to Chris Paul in the final seconds of Game 5 shifted the momentum. Without Paul, the Rockets famously missed 27 consecutive three-pointers in Game 7, falling short of an NBA Finals appearance. Despite the heartbreaking finish, that squad remains etched in history as one of the few teams that genuinely threatened the Kevin Durant-era Warriors dynasty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the head coach of the 2017-18 Houston Rockets?
Mike D'Antoni coached the team, implementing his signature pace-and-space system that maximized three-point attempts and isolation efficiency.
How many games did the 2017-18 Houston Rockets win?
The team finished with a 65-17 regular-season record, securing the number-one seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
What made the 2017-18 Rockets offense unique?
The team broke convention by nearly eliminating mid-range jump shots, heavily favoring high-volume three-pointers and shots at the rim derived from pick-and-rolls and isolation plays.
What happened to Chris Paul in the playoffs?
Chris Paul suffered a strained right hamstring late in Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals, forcing him to sit out Games 6 and 7.
