Preseason Preview

You can’t count out the Rockets. Even without Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming they’ve managed to stay above .500 and in the playoff picture. They have no superstars but they have one of the best benches in the league. Their bench is the fourth highest scoring in the league and much of that is because of Sixth Man Award winner-to-be Carl Landry. Landry is averaging over 16 points and five rebounds per game yet he hasn’t started a single game all season.

It’s tough to tell where the Rockets will finish in the congested playoff picture that is the Western Conference, but if they make it they will be a tough out for whoever they face.

Ready to Breakout vs. Reality: Aaron Brooks has broken out and leads the team in scoring, assists, and three-point shooting. But Carl Landry is the player that has improved the most. He has become more assertive on offense and is one of the best post players in the NBA. I’d say he’s the most underrated player in basketball but it would be more accurate to say he’s the best player no one knows about.

Over the Hill vs. Reality: Tracy McGrady is currently looking for other employment. It’s difficult to tell if he has declined much physically because of his lack of playing time but it’s not a good sign that no other team is willing to take a chance on him.

Worst Moment: The Rockets led the Mavericks 15-2 on November 25 and wound up losing 130-99. At one point the Mavs went on a 26-0 run. That’s embarrassing but especially embarrassing since it was in Houston.

Best Moment: In early December the Rockets held the Cavaliers to a season-low beating them 95-85.

Best Case Scenario: They stay in the race and make a trade to get an inside defensive presence they sorely need. They get home court advantage in the first round and move on to the Western Conference semifinals.

Worst Case Scenario: They slip out of the playoffs and are relegated to the spoiler role.

NBA Midseason Reports