This NBA offseason has completely changed the dynamics of the Western Conference, and many people don't give the Houston Rockets a chance of repeating their historic 2017-18 season.

Not only have the Los Angeles Lakers become a threat with the addition of LeBron James, but the Golden State Warriors have improved as well after they managed to sign DeMarcus Cousins to a one-year deal.

While these additions to the Western Conference doesn't exactly rule out the Rockets, it does make their task of reaching the NBA Finals and repeating their 65 win season in 2018-19 a lot more difficult.

Speaking to the media, Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni still has faith in his team, and he explains why people are wrong to count them out.

D'Antoni said, via Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle: “I think two things. And I don’t want to be snide. They said the same thing when we got Chris (Paul) and James (Harden). And I can see why they said that.

"(But) they don’t know what goes on, the inner workings of the team. And they don’t know 100 percent what’s important and what isn’t important, and where we can not lose somebody and where we can kind of make it up. And I understand that.

“It’s our job to prove them wrong. And we did it for two years now. ‘James can’t be a point guard’ and now, ‘Those guys can’t play together.’ We’ve got one more big step.

"If we’re going to beat Golden State – which everybody is searching for – you’ve got to take some chances and you’ve got to hope that things hit out and hit that sweet spot.

"Doesn’t mean it will happen. But I’m confident and I love our guys. And I think the worst we’re going to be is great and hopefully we can take that last step."

Natural regression may be on the horizon for the Rockets. They may still have James Harden and Chris Paul in their lineup, but they lost  Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute this offseason.

Carmelo Anthony will be a good edition when he signs, but he isn't a direct replacement and could cause some chemistry issues. In a much improved Western Conference as well, next season could be tough for them.

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