foxsports ranks the Rox

Houston
The guards — Rafer Alston has a world of talent — he can draw and dish, push the ball, run forever, drive both ways and play an annoying ball-hawking defense. Too bad he's always hell-bent on scoring and shoots off his mouth in addition to too many ill-advised treys. This guy is a bad actor who thinks he's better than he is and will eventually alienate his teammates and his new coach. David Wesley is a No. 2 guy in a No. 1's body. Charlie Ward chose to play the wrong sport. Moochie Norris is too erratic to trust in any game that isn't a blowout. Jon Barry is smart, an excellent post feeder, an automatic 3-point shooter, not a very good finisher and a gambler on defense — all-in-all a valuable substitute. If Derek Anderson can stay healthy, he can do everything on offense and defense that even the most nit-picking coach requires, but that's a big if. The Rockets will sorely miss Bob Sura's heady, hustling leadership. First-round pick Luther Head could be an option off the bench as well.


Everything adds up to another disappointing season for T-Mac and Yao in Houston. (Bill Baptist / Getty Images)

The forwards — T-Mac is a legit superstar whose decision-making and defense improve every year. To make him more effective, however, he needs fewer minutes, fewer touches, and, instead of beginning virtually every play at a standstill, he needs to occasionally catch the ball on the move. Juwan Howard puts up numbers but doesn't play defense and can't be found in the clutch. Lonny Baxter is an undersized powerhouse. Stromile Swift is a career underachiever. Ryan Bowen is available, too.

The centers — Yao Ming lacks aggressiveness, has leaden lateral movement, slow reactions on defense, is slow off the floor and can't play hard for more than eight minutes at a time. He's a made-in-China Statue of Liberty who excels in shooting and passing. Not enough to light a championship torch in Houston. Dikembe Mutombo is an ageless wonder.

The coach — Jeff Van Gundy is extremely arrogant and outspoken for a coach who's never won anything. If the Rockets don't survive until the conference finals, Van Gundy will be forced to take his whining sour-pussed act elsewhere.

The outlook — Not enough quickness and leadership at the point. Not enough help for T-Mac in the frontcourt. No reliable bench players. And a pipsqueak coach who thinks he's a giant. Everything adds up to another disappointing season in Houston.

All in all I'd say this ranking sucks!

 

link - http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/4932528