2006-2007 Finish: 44-38

What went well

The Houston Rockets didn't miss a beat after longtime GM Greenmig lost interest as his team began to spiral towards a rebuilding phase. The champs of the 2005 Finals this team was no longer. Even though the only major personnel difference was the addition of Bonzi Wells and the subtraction of Mike Dunleavy and Keith Van Horn, this team seemed to be on the decline. In fact, they missed the playoffs the following season altogether.

Rather than hand the team over to a rookie GM, the Rockets called up GM Spree, the former mastermind behind the Minnesota Timberwolves, who won the Finals in 2004. Under his steady hand, the Rockets finished with the 7th seed in the Western Conference.

GM Spree must have liked the team he had because as he entered the season, he made no trades, keeping together the nucleus of Yao Ming, Rasheed Wallace and Derek Fisher. In fact, the only major additions to the team were free agent Marc Jackson and rookie J.J. Redick.

The season started rough for the Rockets but in late March they won 10 of 12 in a row, securing a slot in the playoffs.


What didn't

On the flipside of the return to the playoffs, the reality is the Rockets were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. Injuries struck the team as The Emperor sat out half the season and Zarko Cabarkapa didn't even suit up. Drama swirled around Bonzi Wells, who played in only 29 games. Finally, the Insider wonders if the same case of apathy that struck GM Spree in Minnesota is beginning to strike again here in Houston. The team could have benefitted from a trade or the signing of a major free agent. In fact, it is the rumored the GM didn't even turn up for one of the playoff matches.

Star

- Rasheed Wallace, PF -

Though Sheed didn't finish the season with the team's most flashy stats (thank you Smush Parker), Wallace needs to be recognized for being the heart and soul of this club. He appeared in 79 games and averaged 9.9 points and 11.2 rebounds. Besides Parker, Sheed is the only Rocket to start in more than 65 games. Next season Sheed will be entering his 13th professional season. He may not be as spry as he used to be, but the Rockets can expect him to put up some decent numbers. With the emergence of Ryan Gomes, it may not suprise the NLL community if Wallace begins next season on a different squad.

Goat

- Bonzi Wells, SG –

What the heck happened to Bonzi Wells? The deal that brought the veteran to Houston may now be called Greenmig's Folly, but we still had no idea this guy would turn out to be so bad. After appearing in only 76 games over two seasons, Wells decided to exercise his player option and remain in Houston another season. But why? The reasons behind his lack of play are mysterious. When he did play he put up decent numbers (17.6 points, 47% shots made). Even though the team fined and deactivated Wells, he still seems to be coming back next season. GM Spree should make arrangements to either move him out, waive him or make sure he has a decent backup.

Looking to the future

Unlike previous seasons, GM Spree may have to make some serious personnel decisions before the first game in the fall. Two major players have indicated they wish to play elsewhere (Parker and Jason Kapono). Cabarkapa and Jackson did not play well enough to warrant a re-signing. James Singleton has decided to play in Europe. The Rockets enter the offseason with more than $10 million in the bank. With the MLE, the team could net one star and one solid player or even three solid players.

In the draft, the Rockets selected Eastern Washington guard Rodney Stuckey. The sophomore could immediately step in at shooting guard, the position in which the Rockets platooned Wells, Redick and Gordan Giricek. In the second round they selected Fresno St. small forward Dominic McGuire. With the nucleus of Yao and Sheed and the up-and-coming Gomes, the Rockets seem set up front. If they figure out the schizophrenic backcourt, this team could skip that rebuilding phase and once again become a true contender.