Houston Rockets Tickets

Houston Rockets 2011-12 Season Preview The Houston Rockets look like a completely different team than they did just a couple of years ago when Tracey McGrady and Yao Ming combined to make them one of the most feared foes in the Western Conference.

McGrady's days as a star have gone by the wayside, as his broken-down body has reduced him to a free agent begging teams to sign him on a one-year deal. Yao's injury problems forced him to announce his retirement after last season, ending a solid career as one of the NBA's top centers.

The Rockets traded forward Shane Battier in the middle of last season, ending his long tenure with the team. Battier was never a star, but a reliable player and a great teammate. He will be greatly missed.

While the Rockets no longer have Yao, they do have some quality low-post players. There are some concerns at the center position, and the Rockets are probably going to be looking for a player to fill that need. Luis Scola is very solid and Jordan Hill is still developing, but Houston has high hopes for him.

Houston traded away Aaron Brooks, which has helped clear up the point guard confusion. Kyle Lowry is the man for now, but Goran Dragic and Courtney Lee could also see time at the position.

Houston has a solid but unspectacular team, and that's not going to get you very far in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The Rockets will be able to compete for a playoff berth thanks to the lockout shortened season, and fans are hopeful they'll have a good one.