SLAM DUNKS: The Rockets have the best 1-2 punch in the division - and perhaps the NBA - with G-F Tracy McGrady (24.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.8 apg) and C Yao Ming (22.3, 10.2, 1.65 bpg). McGrady remains one of the top five talents in the league and is still only 27 years old. Yao is coming off the best season of his career and has been anointed the top option in the offense - ahead of McGrady - by Van Gundy. Both players command double-teams and are easy to play either off or through. ... The offseason additions of Wells (13.6, 7.7, 1.81 spg) and Battier (10.1, 5.3, 1.7 apg) give the Rockets awesome depth at small forward and a lot of options as Wells can play guard on offense and Battier can defend opposing 2-guards, making McGrady's job easier. ... The lack of depth has been somewhat addressed with the acquisitions of Snyder (8.0, 2.4) and Spanoulis, a star for Greece in the World Championships. ... Ageless C Dikembe Mutombo (2.6, 4.8, 0.89 bpg) can still impact a game with his defense.

AIRBALLS: You have to wonder why the Rockets two summers ago traded Mike James for G Rafer Alston (12.1, 6.7, 1.60 spg), who has four years left on his contract and leaves a bit to be desired with his floor generalship. Don't be surprised if he is supplanted by second-year G Luther Head (8.8, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), who showed a little something as a rookie. ... F Juwan Howard (11.8, 6.7) is very near done as a contributor, and backup F Ryan Bowen (1.3, 1.3) does nothing but hustle. The Rockets should give the position to F Chuck Hayes (3.7, 4.5) or they may be rebounding by committee. ... G Bob Sura, who missed the entire season for about the 12th time in his career, is attempting another comeback. ... The Rockets were 7-28 without McGrady, who has recurring back problems. He has to stay healthy. ... This is still a very slow team in an era where everyone else appears to be shifting to speed. GUESSWORK: Is Van Gundy safe? The Rockets gave him a one-year extension, but it is not guaranteed. Since going 9-7 in the 2000 playoffs with the New York Knicks - his fifth straight appearance in at least the conference semifinals - Van Gundy is 6-11 with no series wins in the postseason. His $6 million salary is an awful lot for a coach leading the way to the lottery. If the Rockets are healthy this season, it's all on him.

THINKING CAP: GM Carroll Dawson may be in some trouble as well. Dawson used to be good at this, but the current roster includes Howard (three more years at $20.4 million), Alston (four more years at $17.8 million) and Sura (two more years at $7.6 million). That could get in the way of re-signing Wells, who is a free agent again next summer and will be playing for a contract. D-LEAGUE CANDIDATES: G Kelenna Azubuike, F Steve Novak

THE COACH SAYS: "Our athletic talent and skill level is unquestionably higher. Our chemistry, our attitude, our commitment, plus our basketball IQ remains to be seen. Those will be a major factor in determining our season. We've been given a little bit too much of a pass that the reason for our season last year was just injuries. It was one reason. It wasn't the only reason."