FIO Preview: Houston Rockets

2008-2009 Houston Rockets season preview and fantasy impact, courtesy of Fantasy Insider Online. Read the team preview here in the Yard, and then visit the FIO link for the rest. - Dan Rossi Last Season Recap: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly Things started off slow for the Houston Rockets last season under first-year coach Rick Adelman. His pass-happy system complicated things for Tracy McGrady (his 21 ppg average was his lowest since his last year in Toronto) and the team started off a pedestrian 24-20 out of the gate. But things started to click in late-January, as the team went undefeated in February and won 22-straight games, the second longest streak in NBA history, and finished 55-27. This streak and fine finish all took place despite the usual injury bug that hits Houston's two main stars. Yao Ming and his 22 ppg and 10.8 rpg were lost for the season when the big man broke his foot in February, and McGrady's back kept him out of 16 games last season. In any other season, the Rockets would have been a high seed in the playoffs, but in a loaded Western Conference that had all eight playoff teams with 50+ wins, Houston was only a No. 5 seed in the playoffs and had to take on a tough Utah Jazz team in the first round. Houston fell 4-2 to the Jazz in that series as more people are wondering if Tracy McGrady will ever make it out of the first round of the playoffs. 2008 Draft Impact (Minimal) The Rockets clicked under Adelman's system as Yao became the focal point on offense, and shooters like Luther Head, Rafer Alston, and Shane Battier thrived on the outside. Once Yao went down, T-Mac took over and it seemed that on any given night, his 20 points were going to be matched by another teammate. The incoming rookies, Memphis PF Joey Dorsey and Oregon SF Maarty Leunen , are nothing more than development players who should not really impact the Rockets record next season. Off-Season Impact Moves The biggest move for the Rockets this offseason was picking up SF Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Bobby Jackson and his expiring contract. Artest brings a monster defensive presence to the Rockets next season, and is also a player who can score close to 20 points a night and shoot well from the outside. Though Yao Ming made some comments about hoping Artest has matured since the brawl at the Palace at Auburn Hills a few years ago while Artest was with the Pacers, things have appeared to be patched up between the two players. Artest has been aching to get our Sacramento and go to a contender, and a chance to play with T-Mac and Yao could mean a re-energized Artest and more playoff credentials for the existing duo. Preview for the 2008-2009 Season Team MVP: Yao Ming, C - The season will rely on Yao, as he emerges as the best big man in the NBA today. Yao has shown that he does possess a mean streak and no team can contend with his size. If he can stay healthy and man the post against Tim Duncan, Shaq, and other Western foes, then the Rockets will contend. Breakout Player: Ron Artest, F - In his first important roll on a team with title hopes, look for Artest to shine as he looks to prove that his bad boy days are over. His inspired play could up the play of this entire unit and bring Houston to new heights. Bust Player: Steve Francis, PG - Once the face of the Franchise in Houston, Francis returned to Houston last season and appeared in only 20 games for the Rockets. He would have been the bust for any team he was on given how far he has dropped since he came into the league out of Maryland. Francis was not expected to contribute much last year and I doubt anyone anticipates much more this time around. Playoff Contender or Pretender? While it may be tough to believe given that McGrady and Yao have never won a playoff series, it doesn't seem like that trend will continue next year. The team has three stars to run their offense around and it is very unlikely that the West will have eight 50-win teams in the playoffs again this April. Adelman has been to the Finals before, and if Yao can stay healthy, they match-up well against everyone in the West.