Yo! Yao's out! Now what?

I discussed very recently the huge streak the Houston Rockets were going on, and they still are on it--12 in a row. But with a stress fracture that has ended Yao Ming's season, including the playoffs, there is a proverbial gasp in Houston, and the look on fan's faces is more "I just saw a ghost" than anything else.

Ming is certainly a great player--one of the best in the league. But don't write off the Rockets just quite yet. For one, the rest of the schedule is EXTREMELY favorable for them to continue their success and keep their position in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. Although you can expect other teams to play overall better over the next couple of months, don't forget that nine home games that Houston has are against losing teams, and there are four games on the road against teams with losing records as well. They may not pull the seed they are at right now--but they should still make the playoffs unless Tracy McGrady undergoes the same fate that Yao did.

Naysayers will also point out the huge defensive gap that will be left, but last year, when Yao was out for an extended time, Dikembe Mutumbo proved to be decent, and he still has a few miles left in those wheels. Also, with Carl Landry, they have a huge sleeper who could be a difference maker in the playoffs if he gains the critical minutes prior to getting there. Mark my words--if he's given ample chance, he will not necessarily make the fans forget Yao, but they certainly won't be mourning his absence, either.

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Yo! Yao's out! Now what?

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