The Rockets got three players before this season started who will all play big parts in the teams’ very near future. It all started when the Rockets stole forward Luis Scola in a trade with the enemy Spurs. Scola moved into the starting lineup at mid-season and he was great for them. He will be the starting power forward for a long time in Houston. Scola played in all 82 games (39 starts) for the Rockets this season and he averaged 24.7 minutes, 10.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Look for Scola’s numbers to improve with added playing time next season.

Carl Landry was the 2nd round pick of the Rockets and he really played well as a rookie. He played in 42 games (0 starts) for the Rockets this season and he averaged 16.9 minutes, 8.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Landry shot an amazing 61.6% from the floor and that is because most of his shots were from close range. Landry only shot 66.1% from the free throw line and that will need to improve in the future…but that’s nitpicking.

Guard Aaron Brooks didn’t get a lot of playing time but he looked good when he did make it out to the court. He played in 51 games (0 starts) for the Rockets this season and he averaged 11.9 minutes, 5.2 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. This was quite a haul for the Rockets both for last season and in the future.

The Rockets were outscored 27-11 in the third quarter last night and they only shot 39% from the floor and those factors doomed the Rockets in their last game of the season. You can’t blame this loss on Tracy McGrady as he finished with 40 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Luis Scola was the only other Rockets players that showed up last night as he finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds. The Rockets didn’t have any other players who scored more than 8 points last night. The Jazz won this series 4-2.

The Rockets dominated the Jazz on Tuesday Night! They outrebounded the Jazz 46-38 and they held them to 36.5% shooting from the floor which helps explain the final score. Tracy McGrady led the way for the Rockets with 29 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Luis Scola had his best game of this series with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists. Rafer Alston had another solid game finishing with 14 points, 6 assists and 2 steals. The Rockets are now down 3-2 in this series.