Hey everybody, turns out we're pretty good

Daryl Morey is probably the best GM in the NBA. That's a bold statement for a guy who's still relatively new at this, but the man has shown he knows what he is doing. He inherited the Rockets' two big pieces - the Yao Ming - T-Mac tandem - and he has constructed a deep lineup of role-players around them. Shane Battier, Luis Scola, Carl Landry, and Brent Barry add secondary scoring threats and stellar defense to a team that already has two of the NBA's elite. The addition of Ron Artest has made (if everyone stays healthy come playoff time) the Rockets a true force in the Western Conference. Morey was instrumental in replacing Jeff Van Gundy (a great guy and a superb coach, but one whose defensive style added little to the Rockets) with the offensive-minded Rick Adelman. Adelman has constructed an efficient offense around our players, and his offensive philosophy will only further add to the Rockets' scoring threats.

Now, however, Morey is out of the picture. He can't really add anything to the team. Deke will probably be signed around the deadline for what will probably be one of his final seasons. But after that addition, there will be little that Morey can do.

It's up to Adelman to use the tools that Morey has given him. The Rockets are deep enough to exploit virtually any matchup their opponents throw at them, and Adelman's style will make sure that everyone gets time on the court. There won't be any dead weight on the bench. Like I said - efficient.

Of course, the Rockets have two major weaknesses. Both are really up to luck at this point - point guards and injuries.

They can't change anything at point guard. Steve Francis is here to stay. Rafer Alston is usually pretty bad, but he has moments of greatness. Aaron Brooks isn't terrible. But we don't know. Maybe Alston has a good season. Maybe Francis comes back from his injury and recaptures some of his youthful greatness. These are unknowns, and the Rockets can't do anything about them now.

Injuries can be protected against - making sure that Yao and T-Mac don't overextend themselves in the regular season. But it really comes down to luck. If we are unlucky, both injur themselves and are out for the season, leaving us with only Artest. If we are lucky, both stay healthy and are monsters in the playoffs. Again, there is nothing the Rockets can do about this - it's just luck of the draw.

But this should be a good season. This is their year to win it. I don't believe the Lakers are as good as everyone thinks they are. I think we can match up well against New Orleans. I think the Spurs don't have it in them, the Mavericks suck this year, and the Suns are a joke. The Jazz will falter. The Blazers will make the playoffs, but will fall victim to a much better team. My prediction for the Western Conference Championship - Hornets vs. Rockets. The Final will be between the Rockets and Celtics. The Rockets will win it all.

This team has the potential to exceed the greatness of the 1995 Rockets. And just like the Dream-Glide Rockets of more than a decade ago, the Yao-T-Mac-Tru Wariar Rockets of 2009 are doubted by the media. It's their year to win it.