Houston Rockets: Can They Advance Past the First Round?

The Houston Rockets have secured a place in the post season, and with four games remaining, the rockets are scampering up the western conference standings in a bid to avoid the mighty Los Angeles Lakers in the second round of the playoffs, that is if they make it that far.

For over a decade, 12 years, Houston have failed to get out of the first round, the past two years they were stricken with defeat to a somewhat (now) lowly Utah.

But, perhaps this year is different. This year we have seen these men overcome so much and excel to another 50+ win season, in the face of adversity, injury and a somewhat controversial trade. All-Star shooting guard Tracy McGrady underwent season ending micro-fracture surgery on his left knee in February, after averaging a pedestrian (by his standards) 15 points a game.

We've also seen Rafer Alston take a move to Orlando for a much-less-than-average Brian Cook and a somewhat maturing, developing Kyle Lowry. But the loss of a two-time scoring champ and veteran point guard have cleared the way for other players on the team to shine.

"Super" Von Wafer was nothing short of a revelation averaging nearly 20ppg in January and hitting the game clinching trey against the chiefly Boston Celtics. We've seen Aaron Brooks move into the starting lineup, and given the opportunity he has proven he is a rising prospect in this NBA. We've seen Battier rediscover his confidence and deft three-point shooting touch.

We've seen Ron Artest create a name for himself offensively, as a premier scorer, and while replacing the injured McGrady at the two guard position he has consistently posted astonishing twenty point performances. Yao (finally) learned to use his freakishly titanic height to his advantage and rejected more shots than ever before.

But, Houston were never viewed as a premier offensive squad, it was their unique defensive prowess that allowed them to ensure another successful season.

Their capabilities of dominating from beyond the arc also proved to be vital in reaching the coveted post season. In the face of trial and tribulation, Houston have established a lethal three-point-brigade with an abundance of dead-eye three point shooters, such as Artest, Brooks and Battier.

So as this somewhat surprising season draws to a close, does all this success prove the Rockets are ready for the second round, or is this the pinnacle, are we in for another shrewdly disappointing, soul crunching first round dropout.

I believe the Rockets have shown they have the teamwork and resilience to reap the benefits of playoff success, and, most importantly, avoid another devastating anti-climax.

So boring. So cliche. So true.