5 Reasons the Rockets Shouldn't Make the Playoffs

Saying the Houston Rockets have overachieved this season is definitely an understatement.

Despite not having any superstars on the roster, the Kevin McHale-coached squad currently owns a nice 32-25 record.

If the NBA playoffs were to start today, the eighth-seeded Rockets would square off against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.

The Rockets are obviously having a great year, but what the team should really do is forget about making the postseason and focus on other things.

Here's five reasons why.        

To Avoid an Embarrassing First-Round Sweep

One of the worst words in all of sports is "sweep."

If the Rockets make the playoffs and take on either Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the first round, there's a pretty good chance they'll be swept.  

Houston just can't hang with either one of those ball clubs. With that said, the Rockets should just avoid the postseason so their season won't end in embarrassment, especially on their home floor.

They're Not Going to Win a Championship, at Least Not This Year

Every NBA team's goal is to win a championship.

Let's face it, there's no way the Rockets can win it all this year unless they somehow add Kobe Bryant, Derrick Rose and LeBron James to their playoff roster.

And, well, we know that's not going to happen.

So what's the point of trying hard to make the playoffs if you're not going to win a championship?  

You might as well not make the playoffs and get a lottery pick to build for the future.  

A Better Chance at Drafting Jared Sullinger

If the Rockets didn't make the playoffs this year, they would get their hands on a lottery pick and a chance at selecting Ohio State power forward Jared Sullinger. 

Sullinger certainly isn't as athletic as other prospects like Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond, but he can become a big time star in the NBA, just what the Rockets need.

Rockets head coach Kevin McHale, a Hall of Fame power forward himself, could help mold Sully into the next Kevin Love. 

A Better Chance at Drafting Austin Rivers

Austin Rivers? You mean the guy from Duke who doesn't play defense and is going to be nothing more than a bust at the next level?

People who feel Rivers will fail as an NBA player will change their minds in a few years.

He's got skills. He can score. He's an outstanding iso-player.

Rivers could be a superstar in Houston, making Kevin Martin expendable.  

A Chance to Acquire Dwight Howard

Missing the postseason and grabbing a lottery pick in an immensely deep draft, the Rockets could use the pick to bring Dwight Howard to H-Town.

Howard chose to opt in last month, but the Orlando Magic just might trade him this summer to avoid going through another circus-type of year. 

The Rockets could package the pick with a combination of players, which might entice the Magic to pull the trigger. 

Houston isn't as big of a market as New York or Los Angeles, but it's still a pretty big market, meaning Howard could decide to sign an extension with the Rockets.

Hey, stranger things have happened.