Brooks, like so many other Rockets, has to step his game up as he did at times in the playoffs last year. He's extremely capable on the offensive end and needs to make sure he doesn't gamble as much on the defensive end. Scola will average 18-20 points a game this season - it's a stone cold lock. In the meantime, Luis Scola and Aaron Brooks will most likely lead the team in scoring. Simply put, the Rockets are desperate for scoring. The sooner Tracy McGrady comes back from injury, the better. They believe Trevor Ariza can step it up, though I am more than a little skeptical about that scenario. Morey drafted two players explicitly because of their ability to score in Chase Budinger and Jermaine Taylor. Luckily for the Rockets and us as fans, the NBA simply does not have a lot of viable, true centers, so if you are going to have either a weakness or a strength, center is a great place for it.Īs a team, Houston is going to struggle scoring. If Andersen can put something together the Rockets can make the playoffs. Regardless, Hayes will play, but not always at center. David Andersen and Chuck Hayes will likely vie for the starting position with Landry and Scola getting spot minutes and Joey Dorsey getting left-overs. The Rockets have not been very lucky in that department. Not, mind you, that I blame Daryl Morey, there simply are not many centers out there, and when you have the best, you just have to hope he can stay on the court. ![]() Given the Rockets inability to sign a viable back-up in the last two seasons not named Dikembe Mutombo, this was inevitable. Losing the second best center in the league (and the best if health isn't factored in) will do that to a team. The Rockets weakest position going into the season is clearly center. The key question on defense is how with David Andersen plays his part. Every player on the team can play defense (contrary to popular belief, Scola is a solid defender) and just about everyone has speed, strength and athleticism. While there is no Yao Ming holding down the middle, the rest of the defense should be even better making it a wash. The carryover from the JVG years that has been the Rockets calling card could be as good as it's ever been this year. At 26 years old, this is the season where he will define who he is as a player.įrom a team perspective defense will keep the Rockets in games that their scoring will say they have no business being in. If Carl Landry can continue to add some shooting touch from beyond 12 feet he will take a huge step forward in his career. I also predict that he will be listed as the number one snub by every respectable writer around. My prediction is that he will earn a spot on the All Star team this year, but won't actually get in. He is likely to be the Rockets biggest star this season. Each brings something different to the table with Scola being the most complete player. The Rockets have Luis Scola, Carl Landry and Chuck Hayes. Few, if any teams in the NBA can boast a 3 deep rotation of starter quality players at any position. What are the team's biggest strengths?įrom a position perspective the team's biggest strength is the power forward slot. Swapping Artest for Ariza made much more sense given the season the Rockets are going to have to endure, the generally low price tag and Ariza's age. Daryl Morey has not been wrong a single time as general manager of the Houston Rockets, so while this may not be signing Joe Johnson, it was a heck of a pickup. While I've been on record saying that Trevor Ariza wasn't someone I was interested in, that was prior to the Rockets gaining a second mid level exception. The Trevor Ariza signing was the most significant roster move of the off-season. In no way do I begrudge Yao for wanting to play in the Olympics for his country, but the other games simply have to stop. He has a signed NBA contract for his services that the Chinese National government agreed to and based on some of their decision making he has rarely been able to fulfill that contract. In the long run this could turn out to be best for Yao's health. The original prognosis was that he'd be out until training camp, with the revised prognosis being that he will be out for the entire season. Yao Ming's injury status in the offseason was not a "move" made by the Rockets but it clearly qualifies as season altering information. What significant moves were made during the offseason? Key additions: Trevor Ariza, David Andersen, Jermaine Taylor, Chase Budinger, Pops Mensah-Bonsuįrom Lee Grammier: 1. ![]() Key losses: Yao Ming (injury), Ron Artest, Von Wafer, Brent Barry, James White ![]() Lost to Los Angeles Lakers (epically, at that) 4-3.
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