Not doubt against Yao or TMac. He could be better but they are not huge disappointment. They get some defensive supporting cast in Battier/Hayes this season, but offensively it is still a two-man show. You can not expect them to hang up with the elite teams like Spurs, Mavs, Suns with all those talents on their rosters. Those teams are not all about Dirk, TD or Nash/Amare. Swap their role players with the rockets', we will make the finals. This team is still not deep enough and too many scrubs to get rid of to compete deep in the playoffs. Even Utah has a front court made of three all star caliber players and a future all star PG. What the rockets have to offer to counter that? For the Rockets to do better in the playoffs, Les needs to go all out to cut all the dead meats on the roster and net another one or two star cutters/scorers onto this team. Buying out those bad contracts or paying a little bit Lux tax would be the right thing to do when you have two superstars in their prime. Or Yao will opt out after his contract and Les would get hurt financially either.
Honestly if we do win game 7 I'll be happy, but if its a close win again I really would want to see a trade because if we can only win when the rockets are at home thats a pretty bad sign. To be a playoff caliber team you have to be able to win away too. Tracy is going to the basket more, but not enough in my opinion still relying to much on his jump shot and Yao needs to be a lot more aggressive he is playing like a wimp right now, who is also turning the ball over. I say we need to do some trading this off season to get better support know matter what the outcome is because I don't think we are as near as good as big three even though Dallas just got eliminated.
Houston needs a tough guy - this team is mentally soft. And another scorer. Trade everything but the kitchen (Yao) and the sink (Tracy) to get Garnett next season. Multiple future picks (unprotected if need be) and players - JuHo, T-sak, Skip, Novak, KillBill, Chuck, JL3, Snyder - whatever combo McHale's cold heart desires. Even Battier & Luther, if necessary. Just get it done.
Another trade option is to move up in the draft by packaging Luther and/or other players with the 1st round pick. Get a fiery playmaker - Brewer, Conley, Noah, Fernandez. Then trade for a disgruntled superstar (Garnett if the pick is a guard, or Kidd if the pick is a PF).
