[NBA.com] Rockets Season Preview '07-'08

Season Outlook

The Houston Rockets were one of the busiest teams during the offseason. The team changed coaches, front office personnel, and a multitude of players in hopes of improving a club that won 52 games last season but hasn't advanced past the first round of the NBA playoffs since 1997. With their two All-Star players, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, missing a combined 45 games last season because of injury, the Rockets have taken steps to assemble a team stocked with talent and depth.

The Rockets began work in the offseason by hiring Rick Adelman as the franchise's new coach and have backed him by acquiring Steve Francis, re-signing Mike James, and trading for Jackie Butler and Argentine team standout Luis Scola. The team also retained Bonzi Wells and added a promising rookie – Aaron Brooks – with the 26th pick in the NBA Draft. The moves have created a buzz among Houston's fan base and ESPN.com recently called the Rockets' roster the most upgraded of any NBA team.

While the Rockets will have tough competition in the Western Conference from the usual powerhouse teams, Houston is hopeful that they've put together enough talent to take a shot at their first conference title since 1995.

Backcourt
The Rockets find themselves with an extremely deep backcourt. Coach Rick Adelman and GM Daryl Morey certainly found a number of guards capable of creating their own offense, as the team brought back two former Rockets in Francis and James. Francis, a three-time All-Star, is returning to the Rockets where he was once a marquee player and James is a tough veteran who has solid range and can also get by his defender. Both can play either guard position. "We needed more penetration guys who could get to the basket and I think we found that," Morey told rockets.com recently.

Bonzi Wells, meanwhile, adds a bigger option at the shooting guard position. While he never had consistent playing time last season, the swingman should see more minutes under Adelman, whom Wells played for in Sacramento during the 2005-06 season.

In addition to those acquisitions, the Rockets selected point guard Aaron Brooks from Oregon with the 26th overall pick in the draft. Brooks weighed in as the lightest player (161 lbs.) at the NBA's 2007 pre-draft camp, but was selected the top rookie at the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

Frontcourt
Luis Scola is perhaps the most significant addition to the Rockets' lineup. Scola, the 2007 FIBA Americas MVP, has championship experience playing with the Argentinean National Team which took Olympic gold in 2004. With his toughness and smooth offensive game, the 6-9, 230-lb. power forward could be a perfect fit next to Yao. He's an active big man with athleticism and passing skills and has been considered by many scouts to be the best player in Europe for several years.

Of course, Houston still has literally the biggest player in the game, Yao Ming, and one of the most exciting in Tracy McGrady. Combined, these players contribute nearly 50 PPG and 16 RPG. If Yao and McGrady can stay healthy with the addition of Scola, the Rockets will present a dominant lineup that few teams will be able to match.

Backup center Dikembe Mutombo is expected to sign for one more year with the Rockets before retiring at the end of the season. Forward Shane Battier is an excellent defender and timely three-point shooter. Jackie Butler, who came to Houston in the Scola trade with San Antonio, has impressed many but has yet to find a consistent role.
-- Jeff Brody

This and much more on http://www.nba.com/preview2007/hou.html