The Rockets put out a pretty formidable starting five if they use Shane Battier at the four, an idea they're already toying with. They'd have Rafer Alston, a first-rate ball-handler and distributor, at the point, Tracy McGrady and Bonzi Wells at the swing spots (both players rebound exceptionally well for guards, and both can abuse smaller two-guards one of whom would have to guard at least one of them), Shane Battier at the four - he's undersized, but able to draw opposing fours out to the three-point line, and Yao in the middle. In fact, the team would only be small at the four, since McGrady/Wells are actually fairly big for swingmen, and Yao is big for a center.

Health is a big factor as the Rockets' depth is a little suspect - Juwan Howard can't bang anymore, and Chuck Hayes can't do anything but bang. Steve Novak can shoot, but he's not a banger, and Dikembe Mutumbo is pushing 40. Luther Head and Vassilis Spanoulis have impressed in camp, but neither is likely to be ready to assume major minutes (Head did last year, but struggled).