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Take off!

The Houston Rockets are living up to their name, launching into a 5-2 start in a brutal Western Conference. Their only defeats came against an undefeated Oklahoma City Thunder side in a double overtime season opener and a gritty Detroit Pistons team. Since then, they have gone 5-0, including a strong win over their in-state rivals, the Dallas Mavericks.

We have seen plenty of teams go on early hot streaks only to fade into Play In F.U.B.A.R territory later. But that will not be the story for these Rockets.

When Fred VanVleet tore his right ACL in the pre season, I was certain the Rockets offence would struggle without a true floor general. Yet the opposite has happened.

Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün have both seen boosts in their assist numbers, and the Rockets added one of the most efficient scorers the NBA has ever seen, Kevin Durant. Houston currently sits 1st in the league for offensive rating, despite ranking only 20th in assists.

That is not even the scary part. Despite being ninth in defensive rating, I still believe their best basketball is yet to come. We have already seen what Ime Udoka did with the Celtics against Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, and now, with players like Amen Thompson, the versatility at his disposal looks downright frightening for the rest of the league.

Now imagine having to go up against a line up like this:

PG: Amen Thompson 6 ft 7 in
SG: Kevin Durant 6 ft 11 in
SF: Tari Eason 6 ft 8 in
PF: Jabari Smith Jr. 6 ft 11 in
C: Alperen Şengün 6 ft 11 in

It must feel like shooting over the Manhattan skyline every possession, and that is before you even factor in Steven Adams, the seven foot Aquaman himself, setting some of the most punishing screens in the league.

Ime Udoka is clearly cooking up something nasty for the NBA, and it seems no one is paying enough attention. If the Rockets manage to acquire a true floor general, cut down on turnovers and raise their assist numbers, it might be time to hand them the rings and start next season early.