Southwest preview: Rockets on rise in NBA's most daunting division

link: http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/11056613

Houston Rockets

It seems the Rockets are never as good (or bad) as they appear. That's too bad, because they seem awfully good this season.
It's frightening to realize Houston finished within two wins of the best record in the West last season despite playing 27 games without Yao Ming and 16 without Tracy McGrady. Both are ready to play in 2008-09 and find themselves surrounded by the best supporting cast of McGrady's Rockets era.

Artest was imported from Sacramento to give the club a legitimate third scorer, and Brent Barry came over from rival San Antonio to provide the bench crew with some leadership. The club is now so deep, either Luis Scola or Shane Battier won't start. Guard Aaron Brooks and forward Carl Landry add much-needed athleticism to the bench.

If there's a question mark (other than the annual injury occurrences), it's at point guard, where journeyman Rafer Alston must repeat his surprisingly good 2007-08 season or fear seeing his role handed to Steve Francis, who at age 31 is five years removed from his previous stardom as a Rocket.