Rockets: What's the Next Step?

After yet another one-and-done season, Rockets fans everywhere are left scratching their heads. What can they possibly do to get out the first round? Some people are calling for an overhaul, some want McGrady to leave town.

At first, I thought the answer was to deal Yao, who's lack of speed didn't seem to fit our scheme towards the end of the season, for a top-notch point guard like Deron Williams or Baron Davis, or Steve Nash if Phoenix is planning on rebuilding (and by letting their coach, Mike D'Antoni, shop the market, they may have already started) or Chris Paul if we got really, really lucky.

But now, looking back on this last season, I think I've changed my mind.

Before the Rockets went on their epic 22-game winning streak, they really weren't much to speak of. They weren't a playoff-caliber team. However, I think their future looks very bright.

Consider the personal improvements made by Scola, Landry, and Head, and the MVP-like season Yao was having before his season-ending injury, and you can't deny that given more time, they would have fared better this season. The Rockets are clearly a talented ball club, but given that a lot of the non-McGrady support towards the end of the season and the playoffs was coming from very young and inexperienced players, you can't help but think that if they all just show a little improvement during the off-season, then come next season they will be poised to do a lot of damage in the West.

So while some people, like our own Richard justice, are calling for a reshuffling of the roster, the Rockets would definitely be better off if they sit tight and let themselves grow as a team. Despite the first round exit, I think this past season was a sign of good things to come. Heck, we might even see the emergence of Rice's own Mike Harris, who in his short time with the Rockets showed off some down right nasty game. Even D-League product Aaron Brooks had moments where he showed he could hang with the big guys.

If the Rockets are to trade anyone, I would suggest Bobby Jackson. I see why they brought him in, to add some veteran experience to a team with a lot of youngsters. This makes perfect sense to me. But, as we saw in the playoffs, he did not perform as well as we would have liked when he was asked to start in the place of the injured Rafer Alston. Other than that, the Rockets just need to sit tight.

One last thing, bring back Gerald Green! When the Rockets traded for him mid-season, there wasn't much of a place for him, but we know he's got game, and if he can prove that he's NBA worthy by the end of training camp, then I'm all for trying to find a place for him.