Launching Pad October 29, 2008

3 Shades of Blue has a preview up of the game tonight

Combined with an experienced bench the Rockets are back in the mix of elite NBA teams assuming their stars can remain healthy and co-exist.

I do have to say that McGrady will eat OJ Mayo's lunch tonight, and it's going to be fun to watch.  Tracy revels in games where the young guys think they are good.  Kevin Durant is a bad mofo and Tracy destroyed him at times last year.  The same will be true of OJ tonight.

Jonathan Feigen talking about the Rockets early season mindset

This is all pretty level-headed at a remarkably heady time. Teams don't win championships in July and August, when the Rockets' prospects so dramatically improved with the additions of Barry and Ron Artest. They do lose them in September and October, when health issues and reality hit. Their chances in April, May and even June are determined by the way they develop between now and then.

This is actually a really important point.  If the Rockets fall a little bit early, it's really not a huge deal.  I don't expect that to happen though.  I think their defense can carry them while they work out the offensive kinks.  Once Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks are back, the sky is again the limit.

Jonathan Feigen Game Preview 

“It’s here,” McGrady said. “We’re ready. We put in a lot of hard work. I think guys are focused. We’re ready to go, without a doubt.”

Alright, even Tracy is talking big, I like that...

Jerome Solomon: This team's poised to paint the town red

I for one wanted to go to the Rally, but umm, it was in the middle of a work day and at City Hall.  It was not very well planned out by the team, but I liked the idea of it.  I'm also betting the Rockets start to sell out games regularly sooner than later.