Three's Company: Rockets Aiming for Takeoff - The San Dova NBA 2008-2009 Season Preview

Well, there aren't any excuses now (outside of injuries). The Houston Rockets have finally become a well-rounded team.They're the type of team that superstars Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady have desired for years. Thanks to Rockets general manager Daryl Morey, Houston now has a legitimate third All-Star player in Ron Artest. Carrying a reputation that has stained his image but playing with a game that garners him much league-wide respect, Artest is now in the position to redeem his image and win. He last had the chance to win when he and the Indiana Pacers were serious NBA Finals contenders in 2004, but he squandered that opportunity.

The starting lineup now looks more like a unit than just a rag-tag bunch headlined by a Chinese giant and a maligned and oft-injured shooter. While Tracy McGrady is suffering from what looks to be a couple of arthritic joints in his shoulder and knee, and Yao is fighting some serious lower-leg injuries to come back on the court at 100 percent, they will handle the scoring at shooting guard and center, respectivity. Artest has always been a curious mix of alpha-dog and some sort of Pippen-esque team player, so as a third option at small forward, he'll be able to clean up when Yao and T-Mac exhaust their options. He'll also be the main man when they need to hit the bench for a breather. Rafer "Skip To My Lou" Alston will handle his duty as a distributor/shooter at point guard, but power forward looks like a toss-up between a trio of players.

While somewhat unlikely to start, Shane Battier could theoretically play the 4, his strength as a wing defender and experience as a swingman dictates otherwise (though, he'll see time at the power position in small lineups). Chuck Hayes was the default starting power forward two years ago and as a rookie, but he was a last option and probably better for spot duty as a backup. During 2007-08, it was Carl Landry who really made the difference, as a seemingly undersized rookie who helped the Houston Rockets achieve the largest winning streak in modern NBA history; considering the fanfare that he received and the value of his $9 million contract as a second-year player, Landry will most likely be the man to man up as the starting power forward. Even the Ben Wallace clone, Joey Dorsey, a rookie from Memphis, could see some good time as a dark horse.

The bench is deep and rich with wonderful talent and experience. The Rockets were very fortunate to land Brent Barry as a shooting and ballhandling weapon as a free agent, but really their bench is going to be good because its key players are intact from last year. Battier will be great in a backup capacity, but guards Aaron Brooks and Luther Head have just the right amount of point guard and shooting guard skills to be dynamic and bring confusion on the court. Head was a former starter for the Rockets in his rookie year at both guard spots, but his ability to lead and shoot at a smooth, controlled pace will be highly valued; just as well, Brooks is like a flash of lightning on the court, and his speed and quickness will allow him to be a better passer and penetrator. ("Stevie Franchise" Francis could be a weapon as well when he gets healthy and D.J. Strawberry is a valued defender.) Dikembe Mutombo is STILL here and still a great contributor as a rebounder and shotblocker behind Yao at center.

Moreover, the Rockets can play big or small, and fast or slow, but they will need to be consistent and healthy for the team to win a championship. The key? McGrady has to play in at least 50 games, Yao has to play a vast majority of the season, and Artest must grow up and take control of his emotions unlock the enigma that is the Houston Rockets.