[Yahoo Sports] Rockets Team Report

Hayesfan · Oct 23, 2008

Good writing on this one. For those that don't go to Yahoo sports, these reports are updated weekly or less in the offseason, but I think the Rockets have a new writer covering them.

The last few updates have been very good (either that or the ap/yahoo writer covering them has worked harder and gotten better - or maybe I just have liked what he/she has to say)

Link

Tracy McGrady no longer fights it. The label has become so attached to him that even McGrady uses it to make points.

He has never won a playoff series. But while pointing out that he remains hungry and often criticized—he has never been on a team as talented as he believes this Rockets team to be.

He tosses around that reality as if it no longer bothers him to be so identified. Less clear is whether he accepts it, or merely accepts the impermanence of it given his confidence that, this time, he will be there.

Either that, or perhaps he just loves the company. As much as the Rockets have been touted for having put together a roster worthy of championship contention, this is an entire team that can be labeled as McGrady has been.

Yao Ming has never won a playoff series, either. Neither has Shane Battier. Carl Landry. Aaron Brooks. Chuck Hayes. Luis Scola. Early in their careers, none have gone anywhere. Even Ron Artest points out that he only had one season in which his team advanced, 2003-04, when the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference finals.

Rafer Alston advanced that season with Miami, and Brent Barry has championship rings from his years with the Spurs, but that’s it for playoff success for every players expected to be in the Rockets rotation.

With a roster that seems to have what it has lacked and needs—assuming greater durability for its signature stars Yao and McGrady—that playoff history seems to be at the core of the chances of a team that made moves designed to contend quickly.

The Rockets traded last season’s and next season’s first round picks to get Artest, who is in the last year of his contract. They signed 36-year-old Brent Barry. They clearly are no longer building slowly.

It can be argued that the Rockets cannot really be considered contenders until they do something in the postseason. McGrady, however, contends they can contend because they have not and want it so desperately.

Which turns out to be more accurate—assuming improved health—will be determined next spring.

Coaching Staff: Head Coach—Rick Adelman, 17 seasons, 2nd with the Rockets (807-508). Assistants—Elston Turner, Jack Sikma, T.R. Dunn, R.J. Adelman.

Last Season, Remembered: 55-27 (3rd in the Southwest), lost in playoffs first round.

This Season, Predicted: 58-24 (2nd in Southwest), Conference finals.

Possible Changes, Predicted: At this point, given the off-season changes and additions of the past few years, most of the Rockets changes’ are more likely to be tinkering. At some point, they could trim enough salary to bring back Dikembe Mutombo. If Aaron Brooks does not hold down the backup point guard spot, they might look for a more veteran point guard as they did last season with the trade deadline deal for Bobby Jackson. Steve Francis will likely want and get more time to determine if he can make it back from his knee condition, but by midseason, if he cannot play, the Rockets would likely want to make a move.

Main Reason Rockets Can Win: The Rockets might be the first team that ever needed Ron Artest more for his offense than his defense. This indicates how strong their defense has been and while adding Artest, the defense should be as solid as ever, and as usual, among the top two or three in the NBA. But finally the Rockets have a third scorer capable of getting his own shots when Tracy McGrady or Yao Ming is out of the game or injured. The addition of Brent Barry, though far less celebrated, could be nearly as valuable to the offense, offering a veteran skilled at running Rick Adelman’s offense with shooting range to take advantage of defenses surrounding Yao or McGrady. Those additions, and the continued growth of last season’s rookies—Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks—should provide the depth to go with the stars.

Main Reason Rockets Can Lose: The Rockets are still gambling in several important areas. They will go into the season without a true center backing up Yao Ming, who has missed significant portions of the past three seasons with injuries. They will rely on undersized second-year point guard Aaron Brooks behind Rafer Alston, who after many durable seasons, had several injuries last season. The durability of Yao and Tracy McGrady remains crucial and a huge question mark.
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There is more at the page on the link.

Trojan · Oct 23, 2008

good article

johnkamla · Oct 23, 2008

That's about the best bit of non-local source writing on the Rockets that I've ever seen. Either they actually follow the team or they're piecing together all of Feigen's work since the beginning of preseason.

Jimes · Oct 23, 2008

Agree. This guys knows the Rockets like he's been reading CF. Wait.... maybe he's here...

Bassem · Oct 23, 2008

Let's go for that 82 game winning streak. Along with sweeping every team in the playoffs, except for Lakers. I'll give them one game.

Marsarinian · Oct 23, 2008

Fair analysis, but nothing new.

xelloss12 · Oct 23, 2008

Marsarinian said:

Fair analysis, but nothing new.
Click to expand...

Doubt there will be anything new until after the season starts.

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[Yahoo Sports] Rockets Team Report

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