Houston Rockets: Why Next Season Won't Be As Bad As It Seems

Did any of these despairing Houston fans watch the playoffs, namely the epic seven round slug out with the soon to be World Champion LA Lakers?

A team crippled with injury pushed the mighty Kobe and crew to the very edge of elimination, and then some.

And while Hollywood now bathes in the lukewarm ambiance of victory after winning its 15th Championship, they sensed an apocalypse nearing when these Cinderfella's from Houston threatened to derail their preordained title run.

So why all these melancholy thoughts?

Why are people prophesying an 82 game doomsday?

Without their two perennial all-stars, Yao and T-Mac, and veteran leader, Deke, they challenged the Lakers for a place in the Western Conference Finals.

However, I am by no means expecting the elite Rockets staff, Daryl Morey and Rick Adelman, to play a starting lineup of Brooks, Ariza, Battier, Scola, and Hayes.

But what a lineup that would be. On of the youngest and most athletic in the Western Conference, bar Hayes.

No other starting five would possess such a lethal amount of potential and upside that could see four of the five starters become future all-stars.

And don't forget, its essentially that lineup that made such an impressive post season run.

However with the cream of the crop within the free agency rapidly dwindling, suitable starting big men to replace the injured franchise cornerstone—Yao—are few and far between, as 'Sheed, Gortat, and McDyess have all been snapped up by the leagues elite.

But what all these pessimistic fans seem to be carelessly forgetting is that this franchise boasts one of the more skilled scouting and negotiating staffs in the league, spearheaded by the ever illusive Daryl Morey, who has made so many miracle acquisitions within his time as GM.

We all remember feeling depressed about the untimely departure of Rafer Alston at the trade deadline, but his trade counterpart, Kyle Lowry, has become a key piece in Houston's dynamic and youthful puzzle.

Why do we doubt the abilities of the backbenchers of this organization?

The point guard position was ably filled by maturing sharpshooter Aaron Brooks, who has stolen the hearts of Houston's basketball fans, and a man who promises to be a star in this league yet.

The negotiating team upgraded the PG position, when all of us thought we had received a raw deal.

And let us not forget the draft, entering it with no picks, we finished with three players with a future in this league.

So please, bearing these reasons in mind, fear not, this franchise is not nearing collapse.

It will not crumble like so many people think it will.

We may see another 40 win season yet, but we must trust and believe in the men and women behind the scenes.

This team may win a championship yet.