Tracy McGrady Goes Down: Houston, We Have a Problem!

As reported, Tracy McGrady is out for the rest of the season and has now put the Houston Rockets in a difficult position.

With only 28 games left during the '08-09 season, the Rockets currently rank fifth in the Western Conference and second in the Southwest division.

Rumors have circulated about a possible trade involving forwards Ron Artest and Carl Landry for New Jersey Nets' Vince Carter, but that deal has now cooled down highly due to T-Mac’s decision to get microfracture surgery on his left knee.

The Houston Chronicle is stating that team owner Leslie Alexander is actively looking to make a trade before the trade deadline and has said that it is not just up to him on whether a deal is made, but other people and teams as well.

The Rockets schedule consists of playing the Los Angeles Lakers (2), San Antonio Spurs (2), New Orleans Hornets (2), Dallas Mavericks (2), Portland Trail Blazers (2), Utah Jazz (2), Denver Nuggets (1), Cleveland Cavaliers (1), Detroit Pistons (1), and the Orlando Magic (1).

They have a pretty tough second-half schedule and will obviously have to fight to make the playoffs this season. Unless the Rockets get a big-time trade accepted before the deadline, it does not look like they will win another 22 games in a row like they did last season.

Who Is Standing In the Houston Rockets' Way for a Playoff Run?

The Utah Jazz are looking to improve their playoff position before the season ends, as forward Andrei Kirilenko returned to the court last night for the first time since Jan. 21, missing 11 games due to ankle surgery on his left ankle.

Carlos Boozer is expected to be activated within the next week or two after missing 41 games because of knee surgery.

After firing head coach Terry Porter, the Suns also look to make a push for the playoffs with their old run-and-gun offense now back at full strength, winning last night's game with a season-high 140-100 against the Los Angeles Clippers, giving Phoenix’s new head coach Alvin Gentry his first win of the season.

The only other team that could possibly kick the Rockets out from making the playoffs this season would be the Dallas Mavericks.

Dirk Nowitzki is having a magnificent season, averaging just under 26.0 PPG, but with Jason Terry out for at least two more weeks, the Mavericks' seventh-place record could quickly drop and get replaced by the Phoenix Suns.

So Houston fans, do not give up on your team just yet!

Although Knee-Mac is no longer a part of the team this season, players like Von Wafer, Luis Scola, Rafer Alston, Aaron Brooks, Ron Artest, and Yao Ming could surely step up their production during the next 28 games and keep their team from dropping out of the playoff race.