In theory, the Rockets should win the west...

...but with Ron Artest, you never know. The Rockets acquired the All-Star forward yesterday and they only had dish backup point guard Bobby Jackson. The Rockets now have a very legitimate trio of superstars, with Artest, T-Mac, and Yao Ming. This isn't a wishy-washy Big 3 like the Nets and Wizards had; these three are all great players, capable of being the best player on a contender.

Let's be clear: if the Rockets play to their full potential -- if they go injury-free the entire season and don't self-destruct -- they will win the Western Conference. They almost finished No. 1 last year, and now they add a 20-and-6 guy in Artest.

That's still a big if though. Yao and McGrady have had numerous health issues over the years. Yao has missed at least 25 games the past three years, and suffered a season-ending knee injury last season. McGrady has struggled with back issues and missed 62 games the past three years.

Artest is hardly the model of consistency either. In Indiana, his antics single-handedly ruined not one, but two seasons. Had he not run into the crowd in Detroit, he and Jermaine O'Neal would probably still be in Indi. He has also dabbled in other controversies such as pet starvation and domestic assault, and missed 25 games himself last year.

But if they can stay healthy, the Rockets' future is very bright. Rick Adelman coached Artest in Sacramento and may be the perfect guy to take him on. The Rockets were the best team in the west before Yao went out, and are now in position to finally get McGrady out of the first round. It'll take an Artest-esque gaffe to keep this team from the Finals.