The Rockets may have exited the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Warriors for the fourth time in five years, but owner Tilman Fertitta insists they will win titles with James Harden on their roster.
Stephen Curry's 33 points on Friday helped the Warriors to a 118-113 victory in Game 6, which sealed a 4-2 series win and a spot in the Western Conference finals for the fifth consecutive season.
The Warriors, seeking a third straight NBA title, have proved a thorn in Houston's side in recent seasons, and Fertitta was quick to praise Golden State for once again getting the better of the Rockets.
However, he is also adamant that Harden, in the running for a second consecutive NBA MVP award, can end a title drought for his franchise that dates back to the 1994-95 season.
"They kicked our a-- on our home court," Fertitta told reporters. "They beat us by 10 points in the fourth quarter. It's unacceptable. We just have to be better."
The #Rockets know with a few key pieces, they can still get a championship while James Harden’s still in his prime#RunAsOne pic.twitter.com/D03cP2Cozv
— Rockets Nation (@RocketsNationCP) May 11, 2019
The Warriors have now eliminated the Rockets from the playoffs in four of the past five seasons. And this year Golden State did it without two-time reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant, who was injured in Game 5.
"I know that we're going to rise to the occasion and our time is going to come," Fertitta said. "James is 30 years old (in August). Michael (Jordan) didn't win his first championship until (28). Hakeem (Olajuwon) didn't win his first championship until (31).
"I can promise you, we're going to win some championships with James Harden, because we are not going to sit here. We will go to battle every year.
"We're going to have a strong offseason, and we're going to do whatever we can to be a better team. We are not going to sit on our hands, I can promise you that."
Houston had lost the first two games of the series but fought back to 2-2 before losing Game 5 on Wednesday, when they led in the fourth quarter only to be defeated 104-99 at Oracle Arena.
Fertitta felt that was a missed chance but maintains belief that his team will one day avenge all of their playoff losses to the Warriors.
"They showed why they're the champions," he said. "We're gonna learn from it, and we're gonna come back next year, and we're gonna kick their a-- at some point. I can promise you that.
"We should have stepped on their throat the other night and cut their throat. It's not, 'Let's make a few shots and win.' It's step on their throat and let's take it back to Houston and end it in six."
Here’s Harden saying he knows what the Rockets need to do to get over “this hurdle”. He’ll figure it out this Summer. pic.twitter.com/YWRWDNU47F
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) May 11, 2019