Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni made it clear—dwelling on past playoff failures won’t do anyone any good. Despite never having won an NBA title, he isn’t wasting energy reflecting on past letdowns. And perhaps, Chris Paul is exactly the partner James Harden needed all along. From the moment Paul arrived in Houston, Harden repeatedly emphasized that his presence would be a game-changer for the Rockets.
Now, after nearly a full season playing side by side, Harden is even more convinced. “We all share one goal,” he said. “We talk about winning a championship almost every day. That bond keeps us close. If one of us fails, we all fail. So we’re going to fight together to make this happen.”
D’Antoni echoed that mindset. “I never think about the past,” he said. “If you spend too much time looking back, it’s hard to win. Sure, we had a great regular season, but that doesn’t mean anything on its own.” What truly matters, he added, is execution—making clutch shots and doing what others expect them to fall short on. “Then we’ll see how far we can go.”
Paul, who has often been haunted by painful playoff memories, agreed. “Looking back might be cool for some people,” he said. “But for us, it’s about enjoying the moment. We’re focused on the process, not the past.” Reflecting on his own journey, Paul added, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t win by yourself.”
Harden emphasized the same point. “You need teammates who can step up, make big shots, and execute at the right time. Right now, we have that. We’ve got enough guys who can shift the momentum of a playoff game on any given night.”
For years, the postseason has brought nothing but heartbreak for Paul, and it’s been a similar story for Harden and D’Antoni. None of them have ever hoisted the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But this year, for the first time, they’re in it together—and it might just change everything.
Led by D’Antoni, with Paul and Harden at the helm, the Rockets finished this season with the best regular-season record in the league. Their eyes are now fixed firmly on the ultimate prize.
“Our only goal is to win the championship,” said Harden. “Until we do that, there’s nothing to celebrate—because we haven’t accomplished anything yet. This is exactly what I needed. Only with this mindset do we have a shot at reaching the top.”