NBA: Houston's Going To Be a Problem

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I completely slept on the Ron Artest trade. While the guys over at Bullets Forever don't see the big "To-Do," I think this puts the Rockets on a course to the Western Conference Finals.

It's like they've become the mirror image of the Boston Celtics. Let me break it down:
  1. Boston had an awesome offensive swingman (who could play decent D) , but never could get past some of the other powerhouses. Playing the role of Paul Pierce: Tracy McGrady.
  2. Boston traded for a big man who was effective offensively and a defensive nightmare, but Conventional Basketball Wisdom said he wasn't "franchise" enough to win a championship on his own. Playing the role of Kevin Garnett: Yao Ming.
  3. Boston acquired a third piece to split the opposing defense's attention away from their two stars. People wonder if this person's game would fit. Playing the role of Ray Allen: Ron Artest.

We even have a shaky coach who managed to rise above everyone's expectations. Seriously, if Doc Rivers can out-coach Phil Jackson with that Boston squad, imagine what Rick Adelman can do (and consider this: he's not dealing with the same egos he had to juggle in Portland).

Now, people may say, "What about Shane Battier? He's been reduced to a bench player!" Yeah, a bench player who's made his bench about 2x as good as half the NBA. Besides, when McGrady has one of his untimely back spasms that puts him out for a few days/weeks, Battier can move up with Artest and Yao and suddenly you have (arguably) the best starting defense in basketball.

Oh yeah: Steve Francis is still hanging around; I imagine he's got a few good games left in him. And did I even mention Dikembe Mutombo is still good for about 6 minutes/game?

I may have slept on this trade, but I'm not sleeping on the Rockets this year.

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