Hello loyal readers! After an extended and unexplainable layoff I have returned to offer unpopular yet potentially correct analysis.
So, Houston decided (correctly) that there was no way they could win with just Yao and T-Mac. They needed a third, less fragile, all-star. This is good, they’ve found a weakness and are trying to turn it into a strength.
Yet somehow, they failed, oh so miserably. Ron Artest, however talented he may be is a cancer on a franchise. Firstly, Ron Artest is not reliable. I’m not talking about his attitude or his ability. I’m speaking to the fact that Artest has not played a full season in his 11 years of professional basketball. On a team where Yao routinely has some leg problem, T-mac’s back is worse than my grandma’s and their next best offensive weapon is Rafer Alston, if Artest gets hurt/suspended things could get really really ugly in the NBA’s third best Texas team.
Secondly, the offense in Houston is not a good fit as is. Adelman’s offense had to be modified to make Yao effective, and Adelman’s offense was the only reason Adelman was brought in. Now, not only does he have to work Yao into the offense, he has to make sure T-mac and Artest both get their chances with the ball. Also, Artest’s offensive strength lies in his ability to post up smaller players and bang down low. AKA take away space from Yao. I don’t see how Houston’s offense is going to run smoothly without major changes.
Third, chemistry! Yao is already worried about Artest’s attitude. We all know how big Artest’s ego is. Now match that with T-mac (a me-first star if there ever was one, at least in my books), Rafer Alston (and his undying love for taking stupid stupid three point shots he rarely makes) and Yao and Scola’s win at all costs. How does Adelman plan on managing these egos? One things for sure, it’s going to be fun to watch him try.
Props to Sacremento for trading away a guy who didn’t want to be there, and getting good value back. Forgetting Bobby Jackson, Donte Green is, in my opinion a top-level prospect whos going to be able to score and defend at a high level. And a first round pick is always good, because I have a feeling (and call me crazy for this) that Houston just maybe could slip to the lottery. I see San Antonio, Dallas, Phoenix, Utah, New Orleans (my championship pick), the hated Lakers, Portland and another wild card team like Denver, or maybe even the Clippers (who have a scary big inside duo and one of the best point guards period.) all being better than Houston this coming season. At which point Houston will have no legitimate prospect, no first round pick, and three very very unhappy and unhealthy all-stars. Sounds like a long season for the Rockets.
For those of you who disagree with me, heres the other side of the story, presented by LayupDrill.com
