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2009-2010 Houston Rockets Preview

2008 Record: 53-29, 2nd in Western Conf. Southwest Division, lost in Conf. Semis.
Head Coach: Rick Adelman, 3rd season
Key Additions: F Trevor Ariza
Key Losses: G-F Ron Artest
1st Round Draft Picks: None
2nd Round Draft Picks: F Chase Budinger, G Sergio Lull, G Jermaine Taylor

2008-'09 Rockets Review:

The past year of basketball in Houston had to feel like a prison break for the Rockets and their fans. Finally, after years of first-round losses, Rick Adelman's roster found a way to advance to round two of the playoffs by knocking off the Portland Trail Blazers in six competitive games. With Yao Ming holding court in the low post and outplaying anyone Portland threw his way, the Rockets--also assisted by agile forward Luis Scola, defensive stopper Ron Artest, and explosive guard Aaron Brooks--were able to destroy the streak that had hovered over the franchise like a dark cartoon raincloud. As a bonus, the Rockets were then able to extend the eventual world champion Los Angeles Lakers to seven games in the West semis, even after Yao went down with a season-ending injury in Game 3 of that series. Of all the teams who didn't win the NBA title last season, the Rockets overachieved more than anyone else. That's a badge of honor in any professional locker room, especially for the one in the bowels of the Toyota Center.

2009-'10 Rockets Preview:

No Yao. A big, resounding "maybe" with respect to Tracy McGrady. No Artest. Welcome aboard, Trevor Ariza.

It's going to be a fascinating little season in Houston, isn't it?

The loss of their iconic Chinese center will hugely hurt the Rockets in the months to come, but it's worth remembering that after General Manager Daryl Morey pieced this team together, the players surrounding Yao showed a lot more moxie than anyone suspected in their seven-game fistfight against Los Lakers. The Rockets will be an interesting team to watch in 2010, not just because a confident and self-assured roster will want to thumb its nose at the doomsayers, but because the Rockets have become a study in how financial prudence can still bring about success. If you eliminate the bloated contract being carried around by the seemingly always-injured McGrady, the active Rocket with the next-highest salary is Shane Battier, at less than $7 million per year. Considering that the Rockets didn't fold the tent against the Lake Show when their two eight-figure earners were out of the lineup, this low-dollar club is in position to show the rest of the NBA that sane, reasonable salaries can coexist with a good on-court product. A lot of basketball lifers will be rooting for the Houston Rockets in 2010. The sport will be better off if this team succeeds... preferably without T-Mac having much of a role.

> Find a great selection of Houston Rockets merchandise and apparel online through probasketball-fans.com!

By Matthew Zemek
DFN Sports Senior Staff Writer

> View the entire 2009-2010 NBA preview here at ProBasketball-fans.com

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