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Call it a fluke or whatever you want. The Houston Rockets are off to the Conference Finals, and the Los Angeles Clippers are off to tropical beaches and golf courses. The craziest thing about this Rockets team – and there are a lot of crazy things – is how they’re winning. They took the series from the Clippers not by star power, but on the backs of a ragtag group of castoffs and over-the-hump veterans.
In 2011, the Dallas Mavericks won the NBA title after a thrilling run through the playoffs. Yes, Dirk Nowitzki was a bona fide superstar and played absolutely out of his mind, but the Mavs’ identity was almost as strongly formed around their veteran depth. Here’s a look at some of the Mavs’ key contributors in 2011, with their 2015 Rockets analogue:
Jason Terry, 33 years old and looking for his first title. 2015 Rockets analogue: Jason Terry
Jason Kidd, 37 years old and also looking for his first title. 2015 Rockets analogue: Pablo Prigioni
Peja Stojakovic, 33 years old and also sans–title. 2015 Rockets analogue: Corey Brewer
DeShawn Stevenson, a true NBA journeyman and castoff. 2015 Rockets analogue: Josh Smith
Not to mention that Brewer was on that Mavs team himself (he didn’t play a big role, however). Almost all of these players, both on the Mavs and Rockets, were recent acquisitions; they came to the team either looking for new life or for one last shot at glory in the NBA.
Obviously, the road ahead is tough for this Houston team. They’re just halfway to a championship, and the teams aren’t getting any easier. But for now, they’re coasting on the backs of true oddball players. It’s almost made them a likeable team!
Casey Sherman is the Toronto Raptors Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @shermham
