If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

Would this Rockets team be the most talented Rockets team he's played on? Still sucks that his career was cut short.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

they would the most popular team ever

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

8th seed team at least and losing in 2nd round at best

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

It depends, do the Bulls have a healthy Jordan?

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

Assuming Yao is still here, but he will scarcely be healthy. He's 226, and he's asian and play for China.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

yao is 32 now, so he probably would have declined a bit by now even without the injuries. carrying that sort of frame is not something you can do for long. he'd still be effective, but i'm not sure what minutes he could play?

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

Yao
TMac
Artest
Scola
etc.

That team was stacked. They woulda done big things. I dont see how current Rockets team is more talented.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

No, I don't even think they'd make it out of the second round, and maybe not the first.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

If Yao doesn't go down in that 2nd round series against the Lakers, you could make a case that team could have made the finals, even without T-Mac. Those teams were bulit for Yao, with veterans, 3 point shooting and solid defenders surrounding him.

This current team would probably be a lock for a 6th seed with healthy Yao, but definitely not contenders.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

He was best center in the league before injury. So yes. 7'6 big man who can play inside & outside can change a lot.

Re: If the Rockets had a healthy Yao would they be contenders right now?
 

not the most talented team he played on. He would be a terrible fit. PnR offense adn defense with his slow ass? Terrible. Frankly, they are better with a guy like asik (next to lin/harden) as yao's strength was his offensive post game and his weaknesses include defense and speed/agility. The post game would get in the way of McHale's fun and efficient offense. The immobility would cripple their D.