Available on ESPN insider, each NBA team's season is previewed and ranked under the theme of Marvel comics, with each team matching the hero it most identifies with. Some of the teams get screwed over like the Kings and Cavaliers while others such as the Lakers and Celtics are actually quite good. First before we get to the artwork I wanted to marvel (hehe) at the pure absurdity ESPN ranks the Rockets: the fact that ESPN picks the Rockets to finish 11th in the Western Conference clearly identifies them as idiots beyond comprehension.

   However, their idiocy in basketball takes a back seat in this unique crossover. ESPN, which is owned by Disney who also owns Marvel Comics, your soul, and the rest of the world, has created some interesting artwork for the upcoming NBA season where each team is drawn on a comic book cover as a homage to a previously existing Marvel Comics cover.

   The Houston Rockets are represented by this cover of Yao Ming in a sort of tube with bionic legs and feet as an experiment labeled "Weapon Y."  

To the side titled "YAOUCH!" (how original) the caption reads:

   "Name the NBA's shortest team according to minutes played. Hint: the roster includes the league's tallest dude. That’s right, the Rockets. Because Yao sat out all of last season with a broken foot, Houston sank to a puny 6'6". Even so, it ranked in the top half of the league for rebounding rate. Imagine the possibilities if Yao could stay on the floor for more than his team-mandated 24 minutes a game. Marvel suggests they lace Yao's bones with adamantium, an artificial metal alloy that’s indestructible. That'll take the pain away."

   Below that is the projected Rocket's finish in the Western Conference at 11th, yes, 11th, you read that right. Once again ESPN continues its trend of disrespecting all things Houston but then again were used to being under the radar yes? The rest of the artwork for the western teams can be viewed here and the eastern teams here.