Ron Artest close to being traded to the rockets. Is this enough of a move by the rockets to be contenders in?

Question

the west with a healthy yao ing, and tracy mcgrady.

Answer 1

Everybody just gotta stay healthy. If they can, they can be a championship contender.

Answer 2

they'll definitely make it out of the first round

unless they face the Lakers or Hornets

Answer 3

With a healthy team I thought they were already contenders in the West. Artest should only make them a better team and even better to withstand injuries to T-Mac or Yao in terms of scoring. He'll be able to continue the offense and the defense is so strong they'll withstand another injury (knock on wood). Just imagine the lineup possibilities potentially you could have two small forwards out there for defensive purposes guarding opponents two best players while resting T-Mac. And the front court is very healthy I think the Rockets should try and find another legit center but there aren't many.

But with Artest the team is not lacking in offense and the Rockets might be the 2nd or third best team in the Western conference and now the West is even more so loaded.

Answer 4

No, the Rockets do not need an enforcer in Ron Artest. Artest does not fit the Rocket mold. First, the Rockets are already a contender (won 22-straight games last season). Second, the Rockets line-up is intact. Lastly, Artest does not seem to suit as a third option after T-Mac and Yao.

Answer 5

definatly. they were one peice away and they might of just got that piece. artest has range,post up ability,driving ability and is top3 in defence. they can either play him at pf or put him at sf and have battier come off the bench giving them one of the strongest benches in the nba.

Answer 6

as long as artest is happy moving down the pecking order, he's not exactly stable. Personally i don't think the rockets are championship contenders with/without artest. Imho Yao is one of the most overrated player out there, despite his height he just doesn't enforce the inside the way that shaq or howard does. Not to mention their injury problems, i doubt that both T-Mac/Yao can stay healthy for one whole season.

Answer 7

With or without Artest, the Rockets will still be contenders. Especially with a healthy Yao Ming. The West was so close lastyear, Houston couldve been a higher seed if Yao hadn't got injured.

Answer 8

I think the Rockets would still need to trade for or install a heart transplant.

Answer 9

They always were contenders!! I'm not a Rockets fan really at all but I love T-Mac, he is one of my favorite players so I hope this helps him get past the first round at least (unless they play the Suns first round then I hope he doesn't sorry). Tracy needs to get past it at least once, he will be so happy

Answer 10

If the rockets get artest they will be contenders with a healthy yao and mcgrady. I think the signing of brent barry is a big help as well. Artest will help Mcgrady get out of first round.