Houston Looking to Model Boston's Success

All of the sports world is in envy of Boston fans today. Since October, the New England area has had the Red Sox (MLB), Patriots (NFL), Revolution (MLS) and Celtics (NBA) make their respective league championship game and two (Red Sox and Celtics) have won the title. It's rare and quite an impressive feat. Houstonist takes a look at Houston's sports teams and sizes up their chances at bringing home some hardware.


Houston Astros: Where do we begin? Oh, it's simple. No pitching and no farm system. After a hot May and only 1.5 games out of first place, the overachieving Astros have fallen back to earth losing 15-of-18 and six in a row. It seems management is getting it all wrong. In 2005, the Astros had the best starting pitching in the National League (Clemens, Pettitte and Oswalt), but the 05 team was arguably the worst hitting team to play in the World Series and it cost them in the end. Now fast forward three years later. The Astros have arguably the best offensive line-up in years with Berkman, Lee, Tejada, Pence and Wigginton, but sadly, the Astros have no starting pitching to back them up. And it doesn't help for Roy Oswalt to have his worst season ever. The Astros might have a farm system to look to, but Uncle Drayton refused to offer salary arbitration to Clemens, Pettitte, Aubrey Huff and Russ Springer after the 06 season. What does that mean? It means the Astros didn't receive any draft pick compensation when they signed with another team. And don't get Houstonist started on the Astros not signing their top three draft picks from 2007. Let's hope the Ed Wade era goes much better than the Tim Purpura era. Until better days, postseason play looks bleak.


Houston Texans: 2007 was the best season in Texans history at 8-8, but it's been a long time since the Bayou City has been home to a playoff team. 1993 to be exact; and that team calls themselves the Titans now. On defense, the Texans are trying to get it right. With a nucleus of Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans and Amobi Okoye, the Texans have arguably the best young talent on defense in the NFL, but they still need some work. The Texans ranked 24th in the NFL on defense; mostly because of a lack of pass rush and the play of the secondary. DeMarcus Faggins was terrible and it didn't help that Dunta Robinson sustained a season ending injury. The offense is another key. Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson have to be healthy for this team to have a chance, if so count the Schaub-Johnson 08 ticket for lower taxes and higher touchdowns. This team could be fighting for a last minute playoff spot, but it's going to tough for the Texans starting off the first five games against playoff teams and when their division consists of three playoff teams in itself. Here's hoping Houston can party like it's 1993.


Houston Rockets: It's time! That was the 07-08 Rockets motto. We all thought it was, but things sometimes don't go as planned. This team is already a playoff contender for next season, but the key for the Rockets to be a title contender is Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming having an injury free season. It sounds easy, but it has yet to happen. If these two all-stars can play a majority of the season injury free, this could be the team to beat in the Western Conference. We saw the potential in a 22-game win streak. This team can ball with the best of them. And with the emergence of Luis Scola and Carl Landry, this team has the potential of wrecking havoc in the NBA next season with a healthy group.


Houston Dynamo: The bread winner of the bunch. Plain and simple, this team knows nothing but how to win. Since coming to Houston from San Jose, the Dynamo have won back-to-back MLS Cup Titles. This season started rough for the men in orange. Winless in fact. It took them over a month to record their first win of the 08 campaign, but the MLS Champs have bounced back and are currently in second in the Western Conference and just three points behind the L.A. Galaxy. The main success of this team are the core of Brian Ching, Dwayne De Rosario, Pat Onstad and Wade Barrett. This is the group keeps the team together in rough times and their passion in their play can be seen from the highest seats in Robertson Stadium. As long as these four are together, the Dynamo will be in postseason play for many more years. Of all the Houston teams, the Dynamo have the best shot at brining home a title in 2008.

It may not seem like it, but the Houston teams are on the right track. Ed Wade has the baseball background to succeed, just look at the Phillies All-Star laden roster. Kubiak and Rick Smith have done well building on the Texans defense and the Rockets have the pieces in play for a title contender. Anyone else they add is just bonus. The Dynamo are already MLS' best, they're looking to add three-peat to their resume come November and there isn't a reason why they shouldn't have a shot at another MLS Cup.

Notes: All of Houston's championship titles have come in back-to-back succession. Houston Oilers 1960-61, Houston Rockets 1994-95, Houston Comets 1997-2000 and the Houston Dynamo 2006-07.

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http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5847680.html