Houston Rockets: Houston, We Don't Have A Problem

The dynamic duo of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming shouldn't be taken lightly this season.

Rockets new head coach Rick Adelman will bring a high scoring mentality and a better offense to this team.

Key off season acquisitons Mike James, Steve Francis, and Luis Scola will add some much needed depth to this team.

The play of Bonzi Wells will improve now that Rick Adelman is in town.

Wells was unstoppable in the first round of the 2005 playoffs against San Antonio, when he played for Adelman in Sacramento. 

Steve Francis was the best off season acquistion for this team, but he is out of playing shape and is not seeing the floor at all.

When, or if, Francis gets into playing shape he will work his way into the rotation and maybe become the starting PG for this team.

We know what T-Mac and Yao are going to bring to the table. 

With all that being said: Is it enough for Houston to win the west?

The two other Texas powers in Dallas and San Antonio have gotten to the NBA finals the last two years, and this year, Houston has the chance to do the same.

When the Houston Rockets do make the playoffs, they might not be the underdogs of Texas for these reasons:

1.Tracy McGrady: McGrady is arguably the second best scorer in the NBA behind Kobe Bryant. McGrady always tourches the Spurs—and let's not forget that historic comeback when McGrady scored 13 points in 33 seconds against San Antonio back in 04'.

2.Yao Ming: The 7'6 center also tends to give the Spurs problems. 

3.Role Players: Believe it or not, defensive stopper and clutch shooter Shane Battier is a huge part of Houston's playoff run. Battier is the Rockets' Bruce Bowen—most likely he will be given the assignment to guard Manu Ginobli. As stated earlier, Bonzi Wells and Mike James will be key factors in the regular season and playoffs, and add much needed depth to the roster.

Coaching: New head coach Rick Adleman is giving this team more freedom on offense than Jeff Van Gundy did while he was the head coach.  Look for the Rockets to be a high scoring team this season.