Jeremy Lin, Dwight Howard, James Harden: Houston Rockets' "Big 3" Versus The Best Trios in NBA for 2013

The Houston Rockets' new trio of Jeremy Lin, James Harden and Dwight Harden will be certainly fun to watch next season, but the jury is out in terms of how good they will stack up against the best triumvirate in the NBA.

For Rockets fans, there are many reasons to be excited about next season and the arrival of Howard certainly tops the list.

Howard, who averaged 17.1 points and 12.4 rebounds in his lone season with the Los Angeles Lakers, finally gave the Rockets a top-tier big man since Yao Ming decided to make his premature retirement due to injuries. The All-Star center will be certainly a force defensively while Houston's run-and-gun offense will allow him to better showcase his skills on the offensive end.

Harden, on the other hand, is expected to raise his game to another level following his breakout year last season. Harden averaged 25.9 points, 5.8 dimes and 4.9 rebounds in his first season with the Rockets after he was traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder before the start of the 2012-2013 season.    

On the other hand, Lin still has to prove he deserves the starting point guard nod for the Rockets, but statistics show the former Harvard hotshot will greatly benefit from Howard's presence. Howard's ability to finish pick-and-roll play and an improved outside shooting could make Lin indispensible for the Rockets.

Comparing the projected numbers of Howard, Harden and Lin will be putting up next season versus the 'Big 3' of Western Conference elites, the Rockets' version of the "Super Friends" apparently found them in pretty good position.

Houston Rockets: Howard (20 points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks), Harden (26 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds) and Lin (15 points, 8 assists, and 2 steals).

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan (17.8 points and 9.9 rebounds), Tony Parker (20.3 points and 7.6 assists), and Manu Ginobili (11.8 points, 4.6 boards, and 3.4 assists)

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant (28.1 points and 7.9 rebounds), Russell Westbrook (23.2 points, 7.4 assists and 5.2 rebounds) and Serge Ibaka (13.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks)

Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry (22.9 points and 6.9 assists), David Lee (18.5 points and 11.2 rebounds) and Klay Thompson (16.6 points and 3.7 rebounds)

Of course, the gold standard for NBA trios remains the Miami Heat's troika of LeBron James (26.8 points, 8.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists), Dwyane Wade (21.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists), and Chris Bosh (16.6 points and 6.8 rebounds). Though the Heat's trio statistics are incredible, the Rockets have a Big 3 that could be really great collectively.

Howard's defense and rebounding, Harden's explosive scoring, and Lin's vision and pick-and-roll mastery can turn the Rockets into a multi-tool Swiss knife that overwhelms opponents in every statistical department on a per-game basis.

Armed with Kevin Mchale, a coach with a championship pedigree from his playing days on the storied 1980s Boston Celtics dynasty--featuring Larry Bird, Robert Parrish and himself--a deep bench and a perfectly assembled core group, Rockets are set to lift off.