The Houston Rockets is a historic franchise with two World Championships, but that was almost two decades ago.

Last year, the Rockets made a big push and spent some major money in free agency to become title contenders. However, they were missing one thing; a big man to post up and fill up the lane. They filled that void this offseason with the addition of seven-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Dwight Howard.

Many critics consider Howard the best center in basketball and just what the doctor ordered for the Rockets. The team allowed 102.5 points per game last year giving them the rank of 28th out of 30.

Adding Howard should help that number tremendously.

Ever since the departure of Yao Ming, the Rockets have a void in the lane with no big man to anchor their defense.

Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon told ESPN, “He is the missing piece, where he can really bring the team to a championship contender.”

This is a big comment coming from someone who knows what it takes to bring home a championship.

Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey told the Bleacher Report, “I think it absolutely gives us a chance.”

With these votes of confidence, the expectations have never been higher for the Rockets, and Howard knows this.

Howard told USA Today, “I’m not going to get up here and say we’re going to win five championships. I’m not going to do that. But, I think if we really dedicate ourselves and sacrifice everything we’ve got for a championship, then at the end of the season, we should be holding up the trophy.”

The Rockets aren’t only getting a boost of defense with Howard; they are also getting a low post scorer and great rebounder.

Howard averages 18.3 points per game and 12.9 rebounds per game. Now, the Rockets don’t necessarily need any boost on that side of the ball since they were second in points per game with 106, seventh in rebounds with 43.3, and sixth in assists with 23.2.

In all the major offensive categories, Houston was top 10. Howard will only boost those numbers and will be able to slow the game down if they ever need to grind out a win.

According to the International Business Times, when the 2013 season ended, Houston Rockets was given 20/1 betting odds to win the 2014 NBA Finals. One free agent signing has made the team one of the favorites to win next year’s championship.

After landing Dwight Howard, Houston’s odds have improved to 9/1, putting them second behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference.

I would say, the addition of Dwight Howard, aka “Superman,” has made a little bit of an impact on their chances to bring home the championship.