Bad counter since Yao being out was part of the premis. Landry is a moot point. If he's asked to guard Gasol or Bynum, he'd be a huge defensive liability for us. Lets be honest about Tmac. With the variety of nagging injuries he has, its improbable that he'll ever be 100% healthy. The key lies with Artest. He should be able to physically overpower the smaller defenders and run circles around the bigger ones.
Thats all fine and dandy, but it hasnt translated to success. You can draw your own conclusions. Do you realize that the Heat won the title on 2006? And in regards to the Wizards, in 06-07, they were the most injury plagued playoff team I've ever seen. If the Rockets use injuries as an excuse, the the Wizards should be able to as well. And didnt the Cavs take the eventual champs (Boston) to 7 games? I dont think you can really say they would be swept by a western team.
I don't see why we can't make a case that we'd be the best team in the west. Honestly, the Lakers roster doesn't really scare me. I think this season, Luis Scola is gonna turn a lot of heads, it's safe to project Scola as a 14 and 7 player, him and Yao play really efficient together, they feed off of each other as well as the perimeter players. Just cause the Lakers made the finals last year doesn't really mean [bleep] this year....that was last years reality, this year is another season, another different scenario, another opportunity for the Rockets to put up that 3rd Championship banner
