Everyone is talking about the Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs, but Reggie Miller has another team to watch in the Western Conference. And it is neither the Lakers nor the Nuggets.
The Indiana Pacers legend believes the Houston Rockets have everything they need to enter the race near the top of the West and challenge even the main favorites for the 2027 NBA title.
During a press conference organized by NBC Sports, Miller explained why Houston deserves much more attention, focusing in particular on some of the changes from last season.
I don’t think the Houston Rockets are being talked about enough. Fred VanVleet is back and healthy, and that’s exactly what this team was missing: a point guard who can lead them
Reggie Miller
Rockets, not just Kevin Durant: Miller backs VanVleet and Smart
Last season, Houston tried to give Amen Thompson more responsibility as a playmaker, with encouraging results but also the inevitable growing pains of a player who is still developing.
The return of Fred VanVleet could therefore change things considerably, allowing Thompson to focus more on his athleticism and defensive strengths.
Add in the arrival of Marcus Smartanother player Miller believes could prove especially valuable for the Rockets.
They tried using Amen Thompson as a point forward and he did well, even though he had some struggles. I think adding Marcus Smart was a smart move: he can really help Amen on the defensive end too. And then, at the end of the day, Houston still has Kevin Durant. I think the Rockets could be one of those teams capable of shaking things up a little in the West
Reggie Miller
The roster, after all, offers several intriguing options. Alongside Durant, VanVleet and Smart, Houston can count on a young core featuring Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, Reed Sheppard and Jabari Smith Jr.all of whom are expected to take another step forward.
It is a mix of talent, experience and physicality that, at least on paper, could make the Rockets one of the most difficult opponents in the Conference.
If everyone stays healthy, for me it’s OKC, the Spurs and then everybody else. But there can always be a team that peaks at the right time, just like the Knicks did. Everything came together perfectly for them and they hit top form when it mattered most. Who could be this year’s surprise?
Reggie Miller
A year ago, injuries slowed Houston down at the most important point of the season. Now the Rockets start again with a few more certainties and the desire to prove that the gap between them and the West’s top teams is not that wide after all.