After a series of moves orchestrated by Western Conference teams such as the Warriors, Clippers, and Jazz, the Rockets have jumped on the offseason player carousel.
Houston acquired Ron Artest from the Sacramento Kings for Bobby Jackson, a 2009 first-round draft pick, and Donte Greene.
Let's take a look at the Rockets' roster:
Rafer Alston, PG
2007-08 Season Numbers: 13.1 PPG, 5.3 APG, 1.3 SPG
2007-08Playoff Numbers: 14.3 PPG, 4.5 APG, 1.0 SPG
Alston's three-point shooting percentage rose from 35.1 to 44 percent in the playoffs. He missed Games Five and Six against the Utah Jazz, but was key down the stretch during the Rockets' late resurgence in April.
Rafer will be looking to build upon his late-season success, and continue to prove to his critics that he is fit for the NBA.
Tracy McGrady, SG
2007-08 Season Numbers: 21.6 PPG, 5.9 APG, 5.1 RPG, 1.3 SPG
2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 27 PPG, 6.8 APG, 8.2 RPG, 1.5 SPG
Before Chris Paul began his storied tear with the Hornets, McGrady was in the early running—alongside Lakers G Kobe Bryant—for MVP. But McGrady's history of unwanted and consistent injuries flared up again, with back spasms, the flu, and shoulder strains being the culprits.
Combined, the injuries caused him to miss 16 games in 2007-08. T-Mac had offseason knee and shoulder surgery to reduce swelling and fix the damage left by reaggravation.
Tracy was marvelous in the postseason, as his steals, blocks, rebounding, point-per-game total, and field-goal percentage all ballooned.
McGrady was rumored to be heading to Detroit this summer—but so were Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith, and Ben Gordon. After these new developments, McGrady will be returning to Houston to form a deadly trio.
Ron Artest, SF
2007-08 Season Numbers: 20.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.5 RPG
After a season of pouting and frustration, Ron was finally dealt to a contender.
Artest must be satisfied with this deal. Joining Shane Battier, another defensive standout, the two will form a one-two punch that will stalemate any opposing scorers.
Ron is the crowning piece for the Rockets starting unit, who have lacked another playmaker for years.
Shane Battier, PF
2007-08 Season Numbers: 9.3 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 1.1 BPG, 0.8 SPG
2007-08 Playoff Numbers: 10 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.8 BPG, 1 SPG
4 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
Dan Xu 11 months ago
5th Seed? You must be kidding!!!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
sam the fact checker 11 months ago
1. what did the jazz do during the off season
2. alston missed games 1 and 2, not 5 and 6, always check before you write...
3. i dout battiers going to play pf...artest would be defending opposing teams pf if scola, hayes, landry, and dorsey, if he makes the team...
4. yao was not the primary reason of that 22 game winning streak...yao might have started the streak but he played no role but cheerleader in the final 10 games or so in that winning streak...tmac and alston and the rockets bench took over...
5. i think battier took a bigger hit than scola for playing minutes...
also i dont know if team chemistry will be an issue...rockets played one of the best team bsaketball last year...its just that whether or not ron artest will create conflict will be an issue...
Edit Comment Cancel
Sean Stancill 11 months ago
The Jazz acquired Brevin Knight from the Los Angeles Clippers for Jason Hart.
Yes I was wrong about Alston's time missed, my aplogies.
Shane Battier will be forced to play power forward because Artest does not have the height to contest with the Lamar Odom, David West, Amare Stoudemire and Tim Duncan's of the Western Conference.
Battier is 6-9 and Ron is 6-7. Two inches can mean the difference between a defensive rebound or a second shot oppurtunity.
Shane is also one of the best defenders in the league, while Luis Scola is easily comparable to Fabricio Oberto. From Houston's perspective: In support of Scola, Is scoring more points important on a team with Yao, McGrady, and Artest alongside you, or is draping the enemy's superstar and creating a formidable iron triangle-Artest's perspective.
Yao was the main reason for the streak, while McGrady and Alston fed off of Ming's play, to propel the Rockets ten more games. Yao won the first 12 however.
Artest will create conflict wherever he goes, so automatically chemistry will be a factor. Recent cases: Indiana, Sacramento, and even in Chicago when he complained of a supporting cast.
Edit Comment Cancel
Chendaddy 11 months ago
you gotta admire rafer alston. i thought for sure he was the odd man out last year when the rockets picked up mike james, steve francis, and aaron brooks, but it was still skip to my lou who held on to the starting job.
good look, but the rockets bench is deeper than that. also, there is a significant difference between joey dorsey and carl landry: landry knows how to put the ball in the hoop. i heard that can be pretty useful in a basketball game, although dennis rodman and ben wallace may disagree with me.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.