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if there's anything i've learned from these rockets it's that they always surpass expectations. this team stood toe to toe to the Lakers for 4 games with Chuck Hayes as our starting center. Now the Lakers are a different team since they have two long 7 footers, but our PFs were able to hold their own and grab rebounds. Thats why i don't think we'll have a problem against the rest of the league even with Hayes as our C. As for Ariza, i think he'll be perfect in our offense. Brooks is now our only ball handler but we don't need a ball handler when everyone is moving w/o the ball. this team is just beginning to blossom from that series against LA. i think a lot of people will be shocked (yet again) when we reach 50+ wins next season.

I agree with you I do think well make the playoffs (not sure about 50+). However, to me considering the coach we have and the young role players who play so hard and are vastly improving each game, its a huge disapointment to not have a star to lead them. If Yao was expiring this year as well we would be able to work a lot more magic.

Yao will be missing almost a year and a half without playing an nba game, and this is who were relying on to lead us in 2011?? Unfortunately we will end up losing key role players by the time we land a dynamic duo thats ready to compete, thats why we probably had to sign ariza for so long because battier scola brooks lowry wafer probably wont be around in 2 years when were ready to contend again

Ugh, first round exits all over again?

I wouldn't be surprised if we did decent.

However this team is full of roleplayers with out a center.
If Tmac comes back and is 80% of his former self, than yes we may have a better chance.

Yao's impact goes much deeper than scoring. Ever since he has been on our team Rockets have always been top 5 on Opp FG%. Our defense is going to take a hit, combined with no go to guy, our scoring will suffer.

Odds are, we will suck. But who knows, I have seen worse.

As of right now I wish Tmac and Yao a healthy recovery. We can't build around them but it's yet to be determined if they still can produce and if they want to be 2nd option on this team for the right price.

Agree with OP that Rockets will not be as bad as everyone think. Yes they will not be contending for title but will be a competitive unit. I see them grabbing that 8th playoff spot or even the 7th spot. This team is not like the Rocket team of 2005-06 (34 wins). The current team has better players, better offense and not so reliance on Yao and Tmac (20005-06 team really rely on the big 2 to score).

not happening son!

I know! This team has too much pride and heart to be the bottom feeders of the league. We are still easily better than Minnesota & OKC for sure. This is what I'm afraid of! lol ... If we arent contending then we might as well suck and try to get a good lotto pick... Remember what happened when Stevie Franchise was out for the majority of the season? We lost what like 22 out 23 games at one point?!?!? Lucked out and got the #1 pick.

yeah i think the rockets will exceed expectations

and by exceeding expectations i mean they might go .500 on the season

You still have the MLE... go pick up a Center who can start and be the backup when Yao comes back next year and the Rox are in reasonable shape this year (if Tmac can get on the court)

and next when a boatload of expirings occur.

42 games.

We won 55 games 2 years ago
Check http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2008.html for who played how many games

TMac was HOLDING US BACK in several of those with really bad percentages
http://www.basketball-reference.com/fc/ ... &year=2008

I think that SOMEWHAT optimistically, this should be a 44-50 win team.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2009.html
Call me crazy, and it happens a lot, but I think they look roughly as good.

This is where the curse of good role players hurts us. We won't be bottom feeders but we probably won't make the playoffs either, and that's absolutely the worst place to be in. The plus side is that I forsee a lot of growth in the team in terms of ball movement and cutting as there no longer is any single offensive force on the team for people to just dump it to and watch.

If T-Mac and/or Yao don't come back a few months or so before the playoffs or we're not sniffing a playoff spot by season's end I do hope we tank though. Frankly it's stupid not to at the end of the season. The rub is possibly letting the loser mentality seep through the team but I just don't see it happening with this ballclub.