The Houston Rockets should be greedy. The team's remarkable trajectory went from 22 wins in 2022-23 to 41 last year, followed by 51 and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The learning experience through the first-round series by the Jimmy Butler-fueled Golden State Warriors has been invaluable (regardless of outcome),

With a chance to close out their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets instead delivered a playoff flop to end their season

In fairness to Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, this was the farthest thing from a victory lap. He was standing still, for starters, playing the role of head cheerleader in the corner of the Toyota Center court where the players whose massive paychecks he covers were practically skipping back to the visitors’ locker room to celebrate their Game 7 finish over the Houston Rockets.