Year after year the Rockets start the season with signs of life and glimmers of hope, but year after year the Rockets find themselves leaving the playoffs in the first round. With the addition of Artest and the hope of a healthy year from their stars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming, are the Rockets ready for the next level? Absolutely! Despite going under the radar thus far, the Rockets are easily one of the biggest threats in the West. However, they have not really received the kind of respect they truly deserve. With fans and analysts going on and on about how great the Lakers, Hornets, and Jazz are, the Rockets have managed to avoid a great deal of the spotlight. But, could this work to their advantage? Again, absolutely! While press and hype is always a motivating factor to perform at a high level, so is the lack of hype. This year, more than any other, the Rockets have something that they need to show the rest of the NBA. That message is plain and simple and it is: "We are no longer a season team! We are ready to win in the playoffs!" But this season, unlike the past few years, the Rockets can be considered a complete team thanks to their new depth on the bench. With the addition of Brent Barry and Ron Artest the Rockets have risen from a team with great players to a great team. Anytime you have a squad that has guys like Shane Battier and Brent Barry coming off the bench, you know you have depth. Barry and Battier could easily start for many other teams in the NBA and it is important to talk about what this means to the Rockets. For the last few seasons the Rockets have been essentially nullified without McGrady or Yao on the court. With bench players, who not only play great defense but can also sink the long ball, the team gains another dimension. The Rockets, for the first time in a long time, have the potential to provide results off the bench and adequately relieve their all-stars. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/77217-houston-rockets-the-real-deal/poll_results#poll I haven't seen this article posted, but if it has been then just lock it up.
Another article that seems to tell us that we are capable of winning. Tell me something I don't know.
A lot of people don't mention/understand how great our coach. We have a master mind for a coach who really is underrated and not given the proper recognition he deserves.
bleacher report = garbage...you might as well link a thread on clutchfans and start a new topic on it.
