The Rockets Look for Success Without Yao and Artest
The Houston Rockets possibly over achieved last season stretching a 7 game series with the champs Los Angeles Lakers. They fought hard, but just couldn’t pull it out.
Many wondered whether the Rockets could quietly emerge as a sleeper in the West, possibly one of the only teams with the ability to upset the Lakers in a series.
This nearly happened, as the Houston Rockets took the Los Angeles Lakers to a full seven games during the Western Conference semifinals last season. While the Lakers won this game 7 by a whole’ points, the Rockets had LA’s number during a few of these games, leaving many wondering just how dangerous this efficient basketball team was.
Under the effective leadership of head coach Rick Adelman, the Rockets team from last year will return for another season of basketball; only one thing has changed. Ron Artest, an integral part of this team, will no longer be a Houston Rocket. In fact, he’s now with the very team that put an end to Houston’s season last year.
The loss of Yao Ming for the entire season is devastating. While the Rockets have tough, physical players and will give their best efforts night in and night out – the Rockets can’t compete in the West seriously without Yao Ming.
Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, and the rest of the team have a lot of work cut out for them. These guys do like a challenge.
Tracey McGrady can’t stay healthy either. McGrady is only 30 years old but this is his 12th NBA season and his body has a lot of miles on it already. McGrady never played all 82 games in a season – the most was 78 games in the 04′-05′ season. McGrady’s scoring average has decreased every season 02′-03′ also.
With that in mind, they do still have a deep team and have done well without him. If T-Mac can stay healthy and Yao does return this year, that’s a dangerous combo.
For more on the Rockets check out the Rockets forums at RootZoo Sports. Be sure to get the latest fantasy basketball news there as well.
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