With Artest now with the Rockets, are they legit title contenders?

Question

Roster:

t-mac

yao

alston

battier

artest

head

scola

landry(for now)

barry

brooks

hayes

dorsey

francis

mutombo( if he signs)

novak( he will probably get traded)

harris

Answer 1

Contenders? Hahahahahaha

What a joke.

Mcgreedy can't even get out of the 1st round. Now you add a head case, and future serial killer, and you got them as contenders? Get real people.

Answer 2

They always have been, but the Jazz have beat them 2 years in the row now in the playoffs and if they want a championship they need to learn how to deal with deron williams and boozer.

Answer 3

Yes.

I respect Houston, but pass Spurs to do so. As Suns and Mavs hoping

Answer 4

Absolutely no doubt about it.  Barring they stay healthy how can they not be for that matter.  They were a 55 win team without Yao for most of the season and still took the Jazz to 6 games without him.  (In my opinion, with Yao they would have won the series anyway).  

For a team who was already one of the 3 best in the game at defense...adds Artest, who is easily one of the 5 best defenders in the NBA.  This is huge for the Rockets, especially that they didn't have to part ways with anyone who helped contribute to their success last year.

Artest brings attitude no doubt....BUT thats exactly what the Rockets had been lacking.  An emotional leader.  Also, he helps take away double teams from Yao and Mcgrady, as Artest is a very good offensive player.

This trade catapolts the rockets into the top 3 favorites in my opinion to win the crown along with the Celtics and Lakers.  If they stay healthy and are all together for the playoffs...i truly feel they are the team to beat.

Keep in mind, if they end up having to play the formidable Lakers...Ron Artest is one only a couple guys who can give Kobe fits on the offensive end.  Tremendous trade for Houston.

Answer 5

poor bench its not that complete they need to have young experieced players

Answer 6

Artest can handle anybody from iverson to lebron great trade for the rockets if they don't get injured they can probably get a 60 win season nice bench with barry, battier and landry. They might even beat the cetics. Now they got everything

a shooter: b.barry

defender: artest

big man: yao

scorer: t-mac

deep bench

2009 title winners(no injurys

Answer 7

Certainly looks like a good team, right?

You know the Lakers should be there again; even though the Spurs are getting older, they probably have a run in them; the Hornets should continue to be solid and the Jazz I believe are the most complete team in the NBA (not necessarily the best); if they can learn to win on the road they're one to watch out for, too.

I'm really not sure if the Rockets are title contenders, but I can see them easily getting to the conference finals if they can get one of the top 3 spots in the conference, and having a bit of a tougher time if they're in one of the other five spots.

Answer 8

legit contenders:

east  celtics pistons magic cavs

west  lakers hornets spurs rockets.

but consider that jazz almost always get 4th seed for topping their division, rockets may fall to 5th seed and not have homecourt advantage in 1st round.

Answer 9

a big YES! Artest is the missing piece the rockets needed

Answer 10

no doubt man! if they stay healthy , and if artest calms down! GG rockets are legit title contenders!