Former head coach Stan Van Gundy is not very impressed with the Houston Rockets.

Van Gundy stated he believes the Rockets are merely the sixth-best team in the Western Conference, suggesting up-and-comers like the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz look better than them at this point in the season (via Phil C of The Basketball Network):

“I don’t see them being at the level of, certainly the L.A. teams, but I think Utah and Denver are better than them. I think Dallas is better than them. I think they’re the sixth-best team in the West.”

The numbers would seem to back up Van Gundy's claim. The Rockets are currently sixth in the West after losing their third straight game on Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Still, it is interesting to hear Van Gundy cast judgment in light of recent events in his own career. He was mostly responsible for the Detroit Pistons' decision to trade for Blake Griffin, which was thought to save his job as head coach at the time. But the Pistons now face a ton of question marks with respect to the salary cap–thanks in part to Griffin's big salary–and Griffin is likely out for the remainder of the season.

Van Gundy is also somewhat notorious in Orlando, where his tenuous personal relationship with former All-Star center Dwight Howard was a factor in Howard being traded to the Los Angeles Lakers prior to the 2012-13 season, a move that subsequently led to years of turmoil for the Magic.

As for the Rockets, they have been unable to get stops on the defensive end of the floor. Russell Westbrook has strung together a number of good games, but his improved efficiency and the continued scoring exploits of James Harden have not resulted in wins as of late.