[fearless]

In their ongoing quest to finally reach the second round of the playoffs, Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming will no longer be lacking assistance. They'll have more help than ever this season.

Daryl Morey's first summer of exclusive authority in the Rockets' front office has resulted in multiple handy pickups to strengthen the supporting cast around T-Mac and Yao for new coach Rick Adelman, quickly hushing concerns that Morey's limited experience and untraditional background made him a risky hire.

The Rockets have three new options at point guard, which is good timing given all the off-court trouble Rafer Alston has encountered lately: First-round pick Aaron Brooks and the reacquired duo of Mike James and Steve Francis.

The Rockets have welcomed back a resurrected Bonzi Wells to possibly (finally) emerge as their new No. 3 scoring option. Wells is eager to stick around after thriving under Adelman in Sacramento and, like Francis, will be playing at a bargain-basement price, taking all the risk out of the second chance he'll get now in Houston after never meshing with Jeff Van Gundy.

The Rockets have also addressed a real need at power forward with the surprise acquisition of Argentina's Luis Scola, capitalizing on the unusual circumstances that made Scola available and believing that the toughness, smoothness and energy he offered in Las Vegas during the recent Olympic qualifying tournament can trump concerns that he's too undersized to succeed inside in the NBA.

It remains to be seen if Yao, even with his passing ability, can transition to Adelman's up-tempo style as easily as Houston projects. But that might be the worst non-Alston-related thing you can say about the Rockets' summer, which is why they top this list.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/column...estOffseason07

[DrunkenLullaby]

Ah, yes, if Mcgrady+Francis doesn't equal playoff success, I don't know what does!

[fearless]

Originally Posted by DrunkenLullaby

Ah, yes, if Mcgrady+Francis doesn't equal playoff success, I don't know what does!

They'll be a scary team during the regular season at least.

I see many LOCKS in their future (real ones, not BS ones).

[Bill Dozer]

Scola is a good pick-up but this group is getting old. Lots of miles and injuries. This is a great team to bet against in the first couple games. The public is going to like them and as a new team and new style, they should have a rough start. Under numbers could be appealing as well.

[fearless]

On a side note, I wonder if the Rockets broadcasters will start calling Francis "Stevie Franchise" again like they used to. The question:

Will the Rockets broadcasters stay true to tradition? (they gave him that nickname after all)

Or Will the Rockets broadcasters stay true to reality? (Stevie Franchise ain't Stevie Franchise no more)

[fearless]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

Scola is a good pick-up but this group is getting old.

I think their top three are in their prime. If Wells plays like he did under Adelman in Sacramento, the Rockets have three guys who can dominate a game regularly and a fourth guy who can do it occasionally (Francis). Plus, Adelman is like a superman when it comes to getting the most out of his talent. I can't what to see what he does with this group.

[jjgold]

They will be good but not dominate

YAO just can't get it done for the whole season and TMAC a proven loser.

[Bill Dozer]

If the win total is set at last yr's 52 I would hammer the under.

[fearless]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

If the win total is set at last yr's 52 I would hammer the under.

That's probably an excellent bet just because TMac and Yao will be hurt, that's a LOCK. Of course, I was only talking about betting on them when they're healthy, they'll have some fantastic stretches, another LOCK.

The only thing that would bother me about taking the under though is that Adelman is just so good that he's gonna pull out some games that he shouldn't. They could go over the total if Adelman pulls out enough games with TMac and/or Yao out. That's what you're actually betting on here, imho. I think Adelman is head and shoulders above Van Gundy overall, I wouldn't bet against him personally.

[Tchocky]

Watch out for the Rockets to do what? Lose in the 1st round again?

[Bill Dozer]

Originally Posted by rainbowworld

That's probably an excellent bet just because TMac and Yao will be hurt, that's a LOCK. Of course, I was only talking about betting on them when they're healthy, they'll have some fantastic stretches, another LOCK.

The only thing that would bother me about taking the under though is that Adelman is just so good that he's gonna pull out some games that he shouldn't. They could go over the total if Adelman pulls out enough games with TMac and/or Yao out. That's what you're actually betting on here, imho. I think Adelman is head and shoulders above Van Gundy overall, I wouldn't bet against him personally.

Rainbowworld, You are standing all alone on this Rockets prediciton. But you will get all the glory if you are right and bump this thread in 5 months! I do like Adelman. He seems to enjoy what he does.

[goldengoat]

steve francis is shit...he's got one foot out the league

[fearless]

Originally Posted by Bill Dozer

Rainbowworld, You are standing all alone on this Rockets prediciton. But you will get all the glory if you are right and bump this thread in 5 months! I do like Adelman. He seems to enjoy what he does.

I will make a prediction then: The Rockets will win at least 50 games. Take that to the SBR bank, located in JJGold, Costa Rica. (Yes, they finally named a city after him.)

[fearless]

I think it's time for me to start gloating about this thread.

Gotta do it now while the Rockets are #1!

[diogee]

LOL nice call man.

[fearless]

Originally Posted by diogee

LOL nice call man.

Thanks. I felt strongly about the Rockets this year. Yao's injury took them out of contention but who knows how far they could have gone with him.

As it stands now, if Houston v. Golden State is the 1-8 matchup, it would be a great series and I'm not sure if I'd even favor Houston.

Who knows though, it will be interesting.

[diogee]

I am not sure that they can win a series against any of the elite in the playoffs...then again I wrote them off for the Nuggets as soon as Yao went down and they still continue to impress.

[DeluxeLiner]

major kudos rainbow that is pretty great. i loved how you bumped this thread.

[Salcas]

lol great call man