How Good Were The 80s Houston Rockets?

he Houston Rockets were the only 80s team that won the western conference over the Lakers, and they did it twice. The first time was with an MVP Moses Malone, and the second was with a young Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson. Although these teams had the potential to be consistent contenders, they were always bad or mediocre outside of their two magical finals runs. But why? What stopped them from becoming champions?