James Harden named to All-NBA First team, Dwight Howard named to second team

After toiling in star-less limbo for years after the Yao and McGrady era, the Rockets can officially say that they have a core in place. James Harden and Dwight Howard were named to All-NBA teams today, marking the first time since 2007-08 that two Rockets made an All-NBA squad. Harden, who was named to the All-NBA first team, becomes the first Rocket since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1997 to make that elite squad.

Harden edged out Stephen Curry for second among guards in the NBA, and Howard finished behind Joakim Noah to make the All-NBA second team. No other Rockets received votes, though former Rocket Goran Dragic was named to the All-NBA third team after an excellent season with the Suns.

The Rockets are just one of two teams with a pair of players on the first two All-NBA squads, joining the Clippers, who had Chris Paul and Blake Griffin on the first and second teams, respectively. With Harden and Howard under contract for years to come, the Rockets are headed in the right direction. What they do with the rest of the roster will define just how far this team can go.