The way I see it, the addition of Artest seems like a perfect match. The Houston Rockets are soft. Yao Ming is possibly the most fragile player in the NBA. Tracy McGrady has never been clutch when it matters most (in the playoffs). Shane Battier is too passive on the offensive end of the floor to be a number three option.
Yeah sure, the Rockets have a young tough stud in Carl Landry, but the youngster still needs NBA seasoning before that toughness is consistently shown throughout an entire NBA season.
With critical weaknesses in each of their core players' games, the Rockets were in need of some major upgrades this season. Even with the 23 game win streak last season and decent role players in Rafer Alston and Luis Scola, the Western Conference is too tough for this team to stand pat and still think they are a lock for a playoff spot.
But the addition of Ron Artest drastically changes the outlook for the Rockets' upcoming season. Let's take a look at how he will improve the individual performances of the Rockets' core players.
Yao Ming's injuries may have been the biggest blow to each of the Rockets' last three seasons. As the Rockets only post threat, Yao takes quite a beating. This, along with the natural health issues that come with a 7'6" frame ensure that Yao will miss one third of an entire NBA season.
Ron Artest will lighten the workload and amount of touches Yao gets in the post. This will also free Yao up to take the 10 to 15 foot jumper as Artest is sure to draw double teams nightly in the post. Head coach Rick Adelman will be able to rest Yao more with Artest on the floor which will be of extreme importance in the second half of the season.
Tracy McGrady's game should also benefit from the addition of Artest. With Artest and Yao in the post, McGrady should see little if no double teams and should get plenty of open looks from the perimeter. McGrady will be able to move more without the ball in his hands and cut to the hoop for dunks and put backs galore with the nifty passing skills that both Yao and Artest posses.
Shane Battier should also benefit much in the same way McGrady will. Open shots will be there pretty much all game for Battier as Artest is sure to draw double teams in the post. In fact, I would not be surprised if Battier shot 45 to 50 percent this year from three.
Carl Landry will see his playing time reduced, which is kind of sad. But the upside to the situation is that Landry can learn to be that same nasty defender that Artest is. It would be great to see Ron take Carl under his wing and mentor the young player.
The real question is what kind of person is Ron Artest now? He is four years removed from "The Brawl at the Palace," and last season with the Sacramento Kings, he was issued only one technical foul. He seemed to handle the recent Yao comments about what he will do to the Rockets' team chemistry very well. Tune in this upcoming season to find out.
13 comments Last one added 11 months ago — Leave a Comment
steve xiong 11 months ago
Good article i just got one bone to pick.
"Tracy McGrady has never been clutch when it matters most (in the playoffs)"
That really is more media depiction then truth.
While it is true that Tracy has never gotten out of the first round he can't take the blame all to himself. First they had been underdogs in Orlando, took a very good mavs team to seven game and lost a heart break game 7 to a good utah team. Last year they weren't really competitive without Yao, yet they still fought hard and came close even with the injury to Yao and Alston.
From a statistical point of view Tracy has actually increase most of his stats in the playoff. considering the tougher opponents in the playoff it is pretty amazing to significantly increase one's number against overall tougher opponents who are more focused due to being in the playoff.
If you compare his stats from the regular season to the playoff he has by and large elevated his game for the playoff.
If anything, the weakness in MacGrady's game is mostly his fragile health and his disinterest in playing defense. with his length is capable of playing good defense but only does so when he is really focused. He mostly cruise through the regular season and only truly focus in on the game when it matters.
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Kevin Farrell 11 months ago
I will agree with that. I guess what I was saying is that he has made some incredible plays and game winning shots or set up passes during the regular season, but in the playoffs I have not seen those same plays made. That is probably because of tougher competition and no help (injured Yao). I think he is amazing though and this year with the addition of Artest teams should fear the Rockets. Being a Trailblazers fan I certainly fear this team as Artest was the only player in the league last year to shut down Brandon Roy one on one. Anyway thanks for the comment.
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Kevin Nolan 11 months ago
Kevin, I would suggest thinking about titles alittle more: "Rocket sauce"?????
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Kevin Farrell 11 months ago
As a Tenacious D fan I thought it to be humorous. Word up teen wolf.
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Kevin Nolan 11 months ago
didn't get the reference. Just sounded gross
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Rose McKinney 11 months ago
I'm sorry but Yao will not be taking more jumpers. That is not his game and will take the team's most efficient and most dangerous low post scorer from what he does best. Rick Adelman figured it out last year and made the adjustments in the offense, it is highly unlikely that will change.
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Kevin Farrell 11 months ago
Maybe not, but Artest's arrival opens that shot up for Yao. I am sure he can develop that Tim Duncan bank shot from ten to fifteen feet away. I think that without Artest you can bet that Yao would see a double team every time he touches the ball in the post, rendering him ineffective at that point due to his lack of toughness. I think it would be wise for Yao to not play the post as much and let Artest take the abuse and double teams. It will open up much more space and many more options for Yao to work with. Thanks for the comment.
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yungCaucasoid ... 11 months ago
Yao might have alienated Artest with his pro-Racist mindset and totally unneccessary, pandering comments. Lets hope Artest shakes it off, then shows Yao how to shake off being a soft candyA$$ 7.5-footer.
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Kevin Farrell 11 months ago
Yeah that was not the brightest move by Yao. I thought he would be ecstatic to see Artest join the Rockets, but that just goes to show you what other players in the league think of Ron Artest. I believe he has matured since the suspension and that was shown last year in Sacramento.
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J. Michael Morris 11 months ago
Wow, yungcaucasoid, you are truly a one-trick pony with the racism rants.
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J. Michael Morris 11 months ago
Good article Kevin, Houston will certainly be at the top of the Western Conference with this addition. Artest is a great addition. Tracy McGrady however, needs a floor general point guard to take the ball out of his hands a little.....a lot. That will be Houston's ultimate downfall in the playoffs every year until they find a Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Derek Fisher, Tony Parker, Baron Davis etc. todirect the troops on the floor. Rafer Alston won't do it for you. Without a dominate point guard McGrady will have too much weight on his shoulders to ever play to his potential in the playoffs.
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yungCaucasoid ... 11 months ago
J. Michael,
You're a zero-trick pony, with your pro-Racist mindset. As in, you *trick-zero* people into thinking you have any viable knowledge of basketball, whatsoever. As for me? I'm very despised on this site, for speaking truth, and still manage to get those same writers who despise me, to acknowledge my knowledge-sharpness on the sport of basketball.
Here's where you're not so lucky;
Yao Ming, bka...buttercup-behemoth-bigot, is forever hurt and portraying a candyA$$, and thats the sole reason the Rockets keep stinking up the place. Rafer Alston is an effective point guard, on the same team as an All-World guy named McGrady ---who happens to command the ball for more than what gives Rafer a chance to do much--- Rafer is what? 3-4th option on that squad? Playoffs avg. was 14pt./5assists/4-1 assist-to-turnover ratio, plus 2 steals per...so, you appear foolishER, by trying to contend that he needs to be a floor general ---when McGrady has the ball most of the time.
thanks for showing how idiotic you are concerning the Rockets, while showing how greatly you are...when covering for dead-weight Caucasoid players.
OH YEY:
Next time you're on hanging out on *Racism University's* campus, say hello to Matt Andrew & A-Train for me too!
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steve xiong 11 months ago
So are you saying Yao is a dead weight caucasoid player?
Forever hurt? Do you realize that he missed a total of 2 games in his first 3 season.
Bigot? Remind us what Yao said or did that reflect how much of a bigot he is.
Alston's playoffs avg is actually 6.8 ppg, 2.3 assit 2.5 rebound, 0.7 steals and 34.6% from the floor.
I wouldn't call anyone who has a career shooting average of 38.6% effective.
T-mac as good as he is isn't even all NBA so let not get carried away with the all world thing.
Right Yao and his 22ppg, 10.8rpg,2.3apg,2.0bpg, 85% Ft and 50.7% FG last season is the "sole reason the rockets stink up the place".
While Mcgrady does handle the ball often, Rafer is still the floor general who brings the ball up court and distribute the ball to the teams options. T-mac is simply an option on offense who can create shots for himself and others off the dribble hence his handling time and assist total.
So remind me again how someone like you who "speaks the truth" and has "knowledge-sharpness on the sport of basketball" could get so many things wrong?
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