HOUSTON-Yao Ming is out, David Andersen is in. Tracy McGrady faces an uncertain future and Trevor Ariza took his place and his jersey number.
The Houston Rockets begin the 2009-10 season with a new look, lowered expectations and a commitment to developing their young talent until their two All-Stars return from major injuries.
Yao won't play this season after undergoing foot surgery in May.? McGrady had microfracture surgery on his left knee last February and is expected to be out until midseason, though he seemed hopeful when training camp began that he'd return sooner.
For now, Rockets coach Rick Adelman must prepare with what's left-a mostly inexperienced, undersized squad that will have to push the tempo to compensate for its shortcomings.
"The people we're missing are huge pieces," Adelman said.? "It's one thing when you have Yao on the floor and Tracy, and you have a role that you do. Now, suddenly, we're going to see who's going to step up, see who's going to make the leap, and we need that. We have to have that. It's going to be interesting to watch the team progress."
Last year, the Rockets advanced out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time in a decade, then stretched the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games before losing.
Yao was injured in Game 3, but speedy point guard Aaron Brooks led Houston to two unlikely blowout victories after that. Adelman needs the 6-foot Brooks, starting his third season, to carry the Rockets like that again this season, setting the pace for the offense.
"Aaron has an opportunity," Adelman said. "In the playoffs, he had big games and you want to see where his growth continues. It can't be one game here, one game there. It's got to be consistent, over the course of the season, every game."
The Rockets signed the 6-8 Ariza within hours after Ron Artest bolted for the Lakers in the offseason. Ariza averaged 11 points during the Lakers' championship run and the Rockets enticed him by offering him a prominent role.
Ariza took McGrady's jersey number when McGrady asked for No. 3.? Ariza will try to fill the seven-time All-Star's role with Houston for now, a versatile swing man and capable scorer.
"I can't even explain how excited I am to have an opportunity to expand my game," said Ariza, playing for his fourth team in six seasons. "That's what every player really wants."
McGrady worked over the summer with Tim Grover, a fitness guru best known for training Michael Jordan. He said when the Rockets opened camp last month that he was "far ahead" in his recovery.? An MRI exam scheduled for Nov. 23 will help determine when the two-time scoring champion is ready to practice again.
McGrady's contract expires after this season, but he said that he hasn't considered his career beyond this season.
"I'm not worried, contract-wise," he said. "I'm not here to prove to nobody that I've still got it. I'm here to prove to myself that I'm capable of coming back from this injury and being the type of player I want to be. If I do that, the contract will take care of itself."
The Rockets knew by midsummer that Yao would not recover in time to play this season and they signed the slender, 6-11 Andersen in August. The 29-year-old Andersen has played mostly in Europe, and won three Euroleague championships between 2001-08.
Luis Scola, who set career highs in points (12.7) and rebounds (8.8) last season, and defensive specialist Shane Battier will round out the projected starting lineup. Chuck Hayes and Carl Landry add frontcourt depth and Kyle Lowry will back up Brooks.
The roster is mostly comprised of role players who've settled for supporting roles on teams with superstars. But without Yao and McGrady, every player will have a chance to contribute.
Adelman likes the chemistry in the locker room and says the team's collective work ethic will have to be its greatest asset.
"We're going to have work harder than everybody else, we're going to have to be very consistent in how we're playing and play well as a team," Adelman said. "If we do that, we'll have a chance to succeed."
