The Houston Rockets’ power forward Luis Scola has been one of the few consistent players down low for them all season long.  He is a strong player who is a solid defender and a great rebounder.  On the season, Scola is averaging 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.7 steals while playing only 30.9 minutes per game.  The Rockets have been having an up and down season, and with a record of 32-31 they will likely miss the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference.  You can’t put much blame on Scola though, as he has filled in great for a depleted Rockets’ frontcourt who have been without their star center Yao Ming all season (broken foot).  Scola has been playing very well lately, especially in his last seven games were he’s shooting 50% and is averaging 19.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 0.9 steals.  The Rockets are 5 games out of the playoff picture, and with 19 games left they will need to put together a lot of wins if they want any chance of making the postseason.  Scola can definitely help the Rockets do that, but everyone else on the team needs to step up.

When you break this trade down the Rockets essentially traded Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey for Kevin Martin, Jared Jefferies, Jordan Hill, Hilton Armstrong, the option to move up in the 2011 draft and the Knicks’ first round pick in 2012. What a monumental steal for the Rockets. This trade can literally put the Rockets in the playoffs. The Rockets were having a hard time scoring lately but that won’t be a problem with Kevin Martin now on the team. Martin has played in 22 games (21 starts) for the Kings this season and he is averaging 35.2 minutes, 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He will become without a doubt the Rockets’ #1 option on offense. He has now played in 331 games (245 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 30.6 minutes, 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Martin is also a 38.6% shooter from three point range in his career. Martin is only 27 years old so he will probably be on the Rockets for a while. 28-year old Jared Jeffries fits into the Rockets’ mind set of playing good defense. He will likely come off the bench in Carl Landry’s spot. That will be a downgrade for the Rockets. Jeffries played in 52 games (37 starts) for the Knicks this season and he was averaging 28.1 minutes, 5.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.1 blocked shots per game. He has now played in 492 games (322 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 23.5 minutes, 5.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. 22-year old forward Jordan Hill has a huge upside as he was a first round pick of the Knicks this season. He has played in 24 games (0 starts) for the Knicks this season and he was averaging 10.5 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. The Knicks did not want to give Hill up in this trade. 25-year old Hilton Armstrong is also a former first round pick. He has played in 24 games (0 starts) for the Hornets and Kings this season and he was averaging 12.3 minutes, 2.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. Armstrong has now played in 215 games (37 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 12.8 minutes, 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Getting to possibly switch picks with the Knicks in 2011 and getting their first round pick in 2012 was an excellent move for the Rockets.

Aaron Brooks might be a shoot first point guard but he pushes the ball up the court and that is what the Rockets need. Brooks has played in 41 games (all starts) for the Rockets this season and he is averaging 35.5 minutes, 18.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game. He has a nice shot making defenses have to extend to the perimeter which has opened up some things down low for the small front line of the Rockets.

The Rockets are really happy with back-up point guard Kyle Lowry who is giving them instant offense off the bench this year. Lowry has played in 37 games (0 starts) for the Rockets this season and he is averaging 25.2 minutes, 8.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Lowry would probably do a solid job if forced into the starting line-up due to a injury to Aaron Brooks but the Rockets are more than happy with him in his current role.

Back-up forward Carl Landry might have a chance to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award in the NBA this season if he continues to play at such a high level. He has played in 16 games (0 starts) for the Rockets so far this year and he is averaging 25.4 minutes, 15.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. Landry is also shooting 56.1% from the floor so far this season which is outstanding. Landry could start for a lot of the teams in the NBA but the Rockets love the energy he brings to the second unit.