Rockets better with Howard, but still have a long way to go

Though one of the NBA's premier players, Dwight Howard's leadership skills have been lacking of late.

Tony Gutierrez/AP

By pairing together in Houston, Howard and Harden have given each other a chance to be champions. How they're going to accomplish that goal, and who their teammates will be, are issues that have yet to be resolved. Every leader of an NBA title team looks back on his first title and admits that the mission was more difficult and complicated than he ever imagined. Their experiences show there can be no guarantee that two prodigious talents like Howard and Harden can instantly achieve their championship goal. There are other teams out there with comparable talent and hunger.