NBA offseason preview West [Sports-central]

Not sure if this has been posted or not but lock if so. Nothing new here, but its still good to read to kill time.

http://www.sports-central.org/sports/2008/09/18/nba_offseason_review_west_pt_1.php

Houston Rockets

In a relatively short time, the young GM of the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey, has reshaped the Rockets roster into what could be their most talented ever this upcoming season.

To start things off this offseason, the Rockets finally realized that they had grown tired of Luther Head's streaky play, and decided to sign veteran two-guard Brent Barry away from their division rivals, the San Antonio Spurs. While Barry is no doubt at the end of his career, the Rockets were able to acquire him for a fair price, and there's no denying that they can use his consistent three-point shooting and overall leadership skills.

However, the most important move the team has made this offseason has been through trade. During the NBA draft, the Rockets were able to acquire Donte' Greene of Syracuse through a draft night trade with Memphis. Little did anyone know that this would end up being part of another move in the weeks to come that would send the Rockets one of the leagues most talented, aggressive, and imposing forces: Ron Artest.

While Artest comes with a heavy risk factor regarding his on and off the court behavior, when focused, he can be a dominating player. By pulling the trigger on this deal, they are assuming even more risk due to Artest's expiring contract giving him the ability to sign elsewhere after this year.

However, when winning games and competing under a player's coach in Rick Adelman, Artest has shown the ability to be a loyal team player. The Rockets sent the Kings Greene, next year's first round pick, and Bobby Jackson's expiring contract in exchange. Not a bad move.

Artest fills an immediate need for the Rockets by providing toughness, and a legitimate third scoring option behind Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming. His elite defensive skills are compiled to one of the league's best defenses last season.

With these moves in place, the Rockets are now looking to resign their own restricted free agent, Carl Landry, which would help solidify their frontcourt. By drafting Memphis standout Joey Dorsey in the second round of this year's draft, they can now utilize Dorsey's athleticism, length, and defense against slightly shorter, quicker centers that seem to give Yao Ming fits.

They are still in need of a true backup center if Dikembe Mutumbo decides to retire, and there is no arguing that their point guard play could use some upgrading, especially when comparing it to the other superstar level talent in the West, but having three stars of their own now should all but lock the Rockets in to a deep postseason experience.

Of course, their Achilles heel this season, like the last few, will be injury concerns. It's become a given that Yao and T-Mac will miss their share of time with bumps and bruises, but as long as they can avoid season-ending injuries, this team should be set to go. Look out Western Conference, because this season the Rockets have gone all in.