The Houston Rockets possibly over achieved last season stretching a 7 game series with the champs Los Angeles Lakers. They fought hard, but just couldn’t pull it out.

The Rockets went 53-29, which in the Western Conference is very good. The Rockets racked up wins by their defensive efforts holding teams under 95 points per game. The Rockets were 17th in scoring – which is why they couldn’t beat the Lakers, not enough fire power.

The Rockets have many good players such as Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Aaron Brooks, Trevor Ariza, Tracy McGrady (when healthy), and Yao Ming (when healthy).

The loss of Ron Artest will be felt because he was the second leading scorer on the team at 17 points per game behind Yao Ming. The Rockets are hoping Trevor Ariza will be a superstar and his playoff performance was a glimpse of the future.

The loss of Ron Artest is a blow because he was one of their best defenders. The Rockets ranked 6th in opposing team scoring last season but should see a drop off without Artest this season.

Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Aaron Brooks, and the rest of the team have a lot of work cut out for them. These guys do like a challenge.

The Rockets are a playoff team with the current roster they have. If the Rockets are ever going to contend for a championship they must stay healthy. Every year someone seems to get hurt thus limiting their chances at a serious title run.

With that in mind, they do still have a deep team and have done well without him. If T-Mac can stay healthy and Yao does return this year, that’s a dangerous combo.

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