Every year, that’s what people from Texas have been asking ever since the ”Great Wall of China” got there.

But almost every single year, these Rockets have been bitten by the dreaded injury bug as injuries to either Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady always slowed the Rockets down when it looked like they have finally put it together. Guess what, the injury bug did it again THIS EARLY into the 2008-09 NBA basketball season. Cruel huh?

Against the Oklahoma City Thunder early this week, the Houston Rockets got ALL THREE STARS for crying out loud limping off the floor. And in case you have no idea who those three stars are, it’s Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and new acquisition Ron Artest. All three are hurt people and although these guys claim they’re fine and dandy, I reckon one, if not all of these guys will miss some games this week or the next.

It all started with Tracy McGrady going down in the third quarter. He was declared by his team as ”fine” probably with false hope that their No.1 star doesn’t miss any more time for a change. Even without T-Mac, the Rockets soon opened up a commanding lead over the struggling Thunder team.

A few moments later, Yao Ming turned his left ankle. But again, since they were playing the lowly team from Oklahoma City, Yao was soon laughing and Houston pulled safely beyond Oklahoma’s reach.

Just when the game was about to be over, the injury bug struck again and this time, new acquisition Ron Artest was the target. Artest limped off, spraining his ankle after falling over a cameraman. But after the Rockets finally closed out Oklahoma City with a 100-89 win, Artest was soon smiling as well.

It’s always good to get a win in the NBA but if it costs Houston this much just to beat Oklahoma City then they’re probably better off losing the game with their three stars safely sitting on the bench. Rockets fans have been bugged by these injuries for so long now and going through another season full of it will just be unfair.

Can T-Mac, Yao Ming and Artest keep it together just enough to let Houston finally have its run for the title? Let’s sure hope so.

Who will win the 2009 NBA Finals? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Boston Celtics 4.00

Los Angeles Lakers 4.50

Detroit Pistons 9.00

San Antonio Spurs 9.00

Want more odds? Visit Bodog for more basketball betting odds. Want to watch the NBA live? Get NBA tickets online now.

Tracy McGrady Yao Ming Ron Artest