Ok Rockets fans, I want to hear from y'all. Does this Rockets team have the talent to crack the top 8 in the West? And does this shortened season hurt us since we have an entirely new coaching staff?

I'll say the generic "man I hope so" response since I've been slacking on my NBA stuff lately.

The Rockets will be one of the 4 or 5 worst teams in the league this year. Mark it down. And I am a huge Rockets fan. McHale plus no talent leads to a BUNCH of L's.

Well, off the top of my head, teams that will almost surely make the playoffs are the Thunder, Mavericks, Lakers, Grizzlies, Spurs, and the Blazers. Teams that I would say are more likely than the Rockets would be the Nuggets, depending upon how they handle the players that went to China and whether they keep Nene, and the Clippers if they somehow manage not to screw it up. Who knows, maybe even the Warriors surprise some people, but I don't know how good of a coach Jackson is.

I could see Houston making the playoffs, but it more likely than not depends on Denver's personnel moves and handling the China exodus and whether the Clippers can pull it together this year or if they're another year away.

Oh, and TREX, don't sell the Wolves, Raptors, Cavaliers, et al short. The Rockets aren't world beaters, but they aren't terrible. Of course, McHale could make them terrible, I guess we'll see.

Yes. Rockets without any significant injuries can make the playoffs and lose early. Any injuries and we are done.