If Yao and McGrady stay healthy, and Artest stays out of trouble, the Rockets will be a force come playoff time. But that's a really big if.

Houston is good....but not great. The way McGrady made 13 points in 35 secs. is amazing. He and Yao have one of the best chemistries in the game.

addition of mike james really made the team gel. They could make a run all the way to the finals if Duncan remains gimpy. T-Mac is just a MAN

They got the shots[Tracy mcrady] and the height[Yao Ming].

A solid contender. Sure they've lost 4 of 5 after the All-Star break, but under coach Van Gundy, the Rockets will come together and make a big playoff push.

a 7 foot chinamen does not a good team make.

Look for them to have a solid season with McGrady.

My parents are big basketball fans (we lived in Boston during the glory days of the Celtics in the '80s), but even though we've never been to Houston and don't know anybody there, we enjoyed watching the Rockets in their prime in the mid-'90s. Haven't heard much of them lately, though. I also like their old logo a lot better-the new one looks like some kind of toy.

I think a change of coaching will help out the Rockets. You have a dominant, albeit, inexperienced center in Yao Ming and NOBODY was feeding him the ball. I realize it'll be a cold day in Houston before they trade Stevie Franchise, but, unless you have MJ, championships are won and lost by the big guys (reference Duncan and Robinson in 99 and 03, or Shaq and his huge ass in 00, 01 and 02). Houston, of all teams, should know this. If Franchise doesn't learn to pass, this team will not survive the playoffs.

STEVE FRANCIS...YAO MING WOOOHOO BUT.....1 star

They are definitely a fun team to watch. Yao Ming has become a major attraction and his inordinate popularity was displayed through the fact that he got the starting spot on the All-Star team. They have the best success when the work the ball through Yao where he can make a post move or draw the double team and utilize his passing ability to dish it to Glen Rice, Francis, or Mobley for the jumper. The big fella was certainly a positive acquisition to the Rockets' squad.

Definitely a contender with Yao Ming finally coming into his own. I think they'll reach the playoffs barring injury, but I don't think they'll go very far. This is my favorite team, so I hope they continue to improve.

Yao Ming will carry this team to greatness... YAOOOOO!!!!

This team is really bad without Steve francis.

Are they going to send Sir Charles off with a ring? Steve Francis is the real deal, but only point guards named Magic can lead their team to the NBA championship.