[CBS Sports] Undermanned, undersized Rockets defying expectations

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/12915860/undermanned-undersized-rockets-defying-expectations/rss

Shane Battier sat at his locker trying to find a reason to smile. The Rockets had just lost by 33 points at Miami in their final game before the All-Star break, and no one was saying a word, which was understandable. This wasn't how the first half of the season was supposed to end.


'I knew we were going to be capable of winning games,' Luis Scola says. (Getty Images)


Battier, his knees wrapped in ice, was getting his left shoulder worked on by a team trainer, but it wasn't as comfortable as Battier wanted. He asked the trainer to do it again, and then came the joke.

"We can't even get the ice right," Battier said. "I guess it's just one of those nights."

Even though the Rockets lost 99-66 at the Heat on Tuesday, which was Houston's worst loss of the season, they have no reason to hang their heads. The Rockets have played better than anyone expected.

They enter the All-Star break at 27-24 and in contention for a playoff spot with the ninth-best record in the Western Conference. No one thought that was possible when this season started with Ron Artest leaving as a free agent for the Lakers, Yao Ming (foot) out for the season and Tracy McGrady coming off microfracture surgery on his left knee.

But here the Rockets are, hanging around despite not having a superstar in a tough conference, and they could make a strong playoff run in the second half.

"We're playing hard and winning games," said point guard Aaron Brooks, the team's leading scorer at 19.4 points per game. "It was unexpected in a way from the outside looking in. But we knew we could win games. For the most part it's not a bad situation. We need a break here, which I'm sure a lot of teams are waiting for. When we come back, if we can get everybody healthy, we can make a push at things."

The Rockets could definitely shake up the Western Conference standings and make themselves a significant contender if they trade McGrady, who returned for six games in December before being banished. He could be on his way to the Knicks in a three-team deal involving the Wizards.

The rumored trade would send McGrady to New York, Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood to Houston and Al Harrington to Washington. Other pieces would have to be involved, but those are the main ones.

Adding Butler and Haywood to the Rockets would give them a much-needed boost, especially the 7-foot Haywood. The Rockets lack size with Yao out, using Chuck Hayes (6-foot-6), Luis Scola (6-9) and Carl Landry (6-9) as their main big men.

But even if the Rockets don't make a trade, Battier believes they could still stay in the playoff mix. They've made it this far with the current roster, so who can say it won't continue.

"We've done a good job of just scrapping and finding a way," Battier said. "It hasn't always been pretty. All things considered, not a bad first half."

Trevor Ariza was their biggest offseason acquisition from the Lakers, and he's played well, averaging 15.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Brooks is having a breakout year in his third season. And Landry is a candidate for Sixth Man of the Year at 16.3 points and 5.5 rebounds.

But the best contribution might be from coach Rick Adelman, who has kept this team together and playing at a high level. The Rockets believe in his system, and it shows in their play.

"We just play together," Landry said. "There are a lot of guys in here that are hungry. Everybody counted us out as a team a long time ago. We have a chip on our shoulder. We have a lot to prove to the world, to the fans, to the NBA. We go out there with a lot of energy every night."

The question facing the Rockets following the All-Star break is if they can keep this up. What happens with McGrady will obviously determine a lot, and they need to stay healthy. Ariza (hip) and guard Kyle Lowry (knee) missed the Heat game, and Houston doesn't have enough depth to overcome injuries to key rotation guys.

The Rockets also need to come out of the break playing at a high level. Houston, which was a season-best 20-13 on Dec. 31, can't afford to fall too far back from Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio or Portland, which are the teams directly in front of them.

But the Rockets have shown that they can play with the best teams in the Western Conference. Houston is 10-10 against the top eight teams, which include the Lakers, Denver, Utah and Dallas.

"I knew we were going to be capable of winning games," Scola said. "I knew we were going to fight. We're right there. This isn't finished."

It's been a great start for the Rockets. And now they want to see how far they can go. They want to see if they can make the playoffs when no one thought it was possible.