The Worst Week in Rockets History?

(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

If you went on a week long trip, to say, Alaska, and had no way to watch ESPN or text your sports buds, I would understand if you came back to see if your Rockets did anything in free agency, and punched your computer screen and screamed.

Ron Artest and Kobe, in the picture above, are teammates as most of you reading this know by now. To think, about two months ago we all witnessed these two getting into it on the court in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Sources say two things: He either signed a three-year deal for a mid-level exception (about $5.6 million/year), or they agreed to a five-year, $33 million deal.

This occurred days after he almost made a verbal commitment, saying that he wanted to stay in Houston, and Chris Broussard almost guaranteed he would stay because Houston could pay him the most.

Now, you would think to yourself, oh well, Trevor Ariza, who signed a five-year, $33.7 million dollar deal, is a pretty solid up and coming player, and is five years younger than Artest.

But oh no, we forgot about The Great Wall. The next five seasons or so rest on Yao Ming's left foot, wouldn't you agree? 

It is almost a guarantee that he will not touch the floor next year, making others and I look stupid for saying he is not as injury-prone as you would think.

However, it is not as bad as most think. When reporters say "career threatening" that does not necessarily mean he will never play again, it just means he may take an early retirement.

This year is definitely going to be eventful for Houston, considering some said they could compete for a title next year, who are now Artest-less and Yao-less.

So it is fair to say that unless we can deal Tracy McGrady and get some stars, that this season is going to rest on the young players' shoulders.

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