Rockets Get Optimistic News, But Is It Too Optimistic?

Don’t look now, but the Houston Rockets may be in decent shape after all. At least if the word from general manager Daryl Morey rings true.

Two reports came out last week that said that the team’s two all-stars, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, who were thought to miss some if not all of next season, could play some time in 2009-10.

Yao, who underwent foot surgery a few months ago, recently told Rockets management that he feels he is ahead of schedule in rehabbing his left foot. That prompted Morey to state that Yao’s injury is not career-threatening and he could see some time at the end of next season.

Add to that the optimistic T-Mac, who claimed that not only will he be ready to play before the All-Star break, but that he will be better than he was last season.

Could this news be a bright spot on the horizon for the Rockets, or is this all wishful thinking?

If McGrady does come back earlier than January, he could benefit from a young team without a true scoring threat. With younger role players like Trevor Ariza, Aaron Brooks, and Luis Scola around, the team will still play with a lot of hustle.

But without T-Mac, they are without a true player that can create his own shots and provide scoring down the stretch.

However, it’s not just about McGrady coming back, it’s whether he can actually be the T-Mac that the Rockets brought to Houston five years ago...or not.

If he is accurate that the microfracture surgery can make him better than he was, he could be the spark to put Houston back into the playoff picture.

Yao’s absence will hurt as well, but the question is how good David Andersen is. Acquired via trade from Atlanta, the seven-foot Aussie does not need to be a Yao clone, but has to hold his own in the post and on defense. If he can develop an outside touch or a good post move here and there, that could be enough to contribute.

Rebounding is key, but Scola, Carl Landry, and newly signed Pops Mensah-Bonsu can take the pressure off of Andersen to get the rock.

Entering camp, the Rockets face a lot of questions. The good news is that it looks like they will have a group of young, hungry players ready to go hard each game.

But it also looks like the playoff question will come down to Yao’s foot and T-Mac’s knee.