MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Though he had a new, often-confounding injury issue and struggled with his shot as he rarely has in his career, Tracy McGrady's value to the Rockets became as clear as ever. He remained the team's best playmaker and, when Yao Ming went out, was the only Rockets player who could reliably get his own shot or create shots for teammates. Though his seventh playoff appearances ended the way the others had, with a first-round loss, it added to his legacy as one of the top-scoring playoff performers ever. He seemingly grew stronger as the series progressed.

MOST DISAPPOINTING PLAYER
Still enormously popular in Houston and thought to be in position for a career revival in a homecoming to where his career began as the celebrated "Stevie Franchise," Steve Francis struggled through a second consecutive season limited and then shut down early by knee issues. He had a sensational, throw-back night in closing out a win in Phoenix but struggled to even crack the Rockets rotation. When Rafer Alston was out with a pulled groin, Francis broke down after three games carrying the extra load. He eventually had season-ending surgery and began rehabilitation that he hoped would allow him to revive his career.

FREE AGENT FOCUS
Rookie forward Carl Landry is a restricted free agent but has said he wants to return to the Rockets, and the Rockets have said they want him back and would match any offer he receives as a free agent.

Center Dikembe Mutombo is a free agent and the Rockets would bring him back if he wants to extend his career, but he has said he will again consider retiring in the offseason.

PLAYER NOTES

--G Tracy McGrady had not made half his shots in a game since March 8, a stretch of 20 regular games and four playoff games, before he made 13 of 26 shots in the last two games of the series. He scored 40 in the series finale to stretch his streak to 10 consecutive playoff games in which he scored at least 20 points.

--McGrady underwent surgery May 6 on his left shoulder and left knee.

--G Rafer Alston ended the playoffs the way they began, out with an injury in a Rockets loss. The Rockets lost the first two games of the series with Alston out with a pulled right hamstring, and they lost Game 6 when Alston was forced to miss the second half with a sprained right ankle. The Rockets won two of the three games he was able to start and finish.

--G Luther Head finished the series making just 1 of 14 shots and missing all six of his 3-pointers. He made just 11 of 36 shots in his previous playoff appearance.

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