Given Francis' dominance early, we should all expect to see a lot more of this all season long.

Big Shockers

Oscar Torres

Where the hell did they find this kid? That has been the most common question this offseason when talking about Torres. He has the looks and a few of the moves of former Rocket legend Clyde Drexler, but maybe the best description was offered by Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle who called him "Shandon Anderson with a jumpshot."

Torres is quick, has a smooth jumper and is already a legit NBA defender. He could be the shocker of the season in the NBA if his play continues. Considering that we didn't expect anything from him and that he will play behind Cuttino Mobley makes it all the more incredible of a story. I already love watching him play.

Kelvin Cato

I was going to include Cato under my "Pleasantly Surprised" section below until I saw something tonight during the Portland game. In the third quarter, Cato went down hard after trying to stop a Dale Davis drive. He went out of the game straight to the locker room and I thought, "Oh, great. Here we go again." Instead, he was back in the fourth blocking shots and rebounding.

Bill Worrell said that he didn't think last year Cato would've have returned after an injury like that. He read my mind. Cato has been nothing short of slightly above average this offseason when it comes to overall play. For KC, that is a monumental leap from absolutely horrible and pathetic. He's rebounding, running the floor and blocking shots. Most importantly, he doesn't look like the same guy sulking and complaining. He looks more focused and less effected mentally by the ups and downs of the game.

Of course, we saw this two seasons ago before he got his contract, but the significant difference this year is that he knows the pressure is on to prove himself. He has committed himself to media silence as Clutch found out at training camp and maybe that's good. All he has to focus on is his game. Any improvement is a surprise, but this type of change is a shock.

Pleasant Surprises

Damon Jones' Defense

We all know the kid can shoot. The guy can be a sick three-point shooter. But I doubt any of us thought he was this quick and good a defender. Ok, he's no Gary Payton, but he is far more impressive defensively than most of us imagined. Giving the Rockets a good option defensively to go with the outside shooting is really a positive coming off the bench.

Terence Morris

I just love this kid. Every time I see him play, I find myself rooting for him. I keep thinking, "Go on, TMo. Prove all those scouts wrong." The word that keeps coming to mind when Morris is on the floor is "smooth." The guy is just silky. He moves with ease, shoots effortlessly from the outside, blocks shots, rebounds and makes terrific decisions.

That last part is probably the most significant. This is a rookie taken in the second round and he looks like a solid rotation player. Unlike many rookies, he looks comfortable on the floor. He doesn't try to do more than he can and takes his shots in the flow of the offense. Having a rangy 6'8" small forward who can shoot the three, play defense and run the floor (did I mention he can handle the ball as well?) is something the Rockets haven't had since the days of Rodney McCray.

Kenny Thomas

I was all set to call Thomas overrated, but he has strung together two really terrific games in the preseason. I'm still not convinced he is the best option at the four now that Mo Taylor is out for the season, but he has been impressive. Thomas is quicker than the vast majority of power forwards he will face and he has a good nose for the ball. I'd still like to see him shoot from the outside less, but so far so good for Thomas and it is nice to see.

Overrated

Dan Langhi

Langhi is a good guy and it is hard to call him overrated considering he was a second round draft pick last year that barely played, but I'm just not sure that he will be what everyone has thought - a Matt Bullard replacement with better overall skills. Langhi just doesn't seem ready for a full time gig in the NBA. He still looks awkward on the floor and with the minutes Morris is getting, the emergence of Torres and the addition of Glen Rice, it may be tough for Langhi to crack the rotation again this season.

Disappointments

Marc Jackson

What a big steaming pile of crap this story has become. Jackson would have made a terrific addition to the team and the only explanation we get from Warriors' GM Gary St. Jean on why he matched an offer to bring a very disgruntled player back is that they couldn't afford to lose him for nothing. Add 'er' to the end of "lose" and you get what St. Jean looks like in this deal. After preaching all offseason that chemistry was the most important factor in building their team, largely ignoring Jackson and even going so far as to insinuate that he didn't work hard when he was there, the Warriors look like idiots and the Rockets (and Jackson) suffer the consequences.

Maybe this will be good for Cato knowing he doesn't have to compete with another center but it cannot be good for the Rockets who could really use the depth in the frontcourt. I feel bad for Jackson who seems like a good guy and is now trapped for at least 90 days on a team he doesn't want to play for and that doesn't really want him. How pathetic.

All the Injuries

Aside from the Taylor injury, most of them have been minor, but I am absolutely dying to see Eddie Griffin on the floor and this injury has me frustrated. The Rockets have really been impressive despite losing their first two games. They seem to have a renewed sense of energy and a more tenacious defensive strategy. It is almost as if Hakeem Olajuwon moving on has allowed them to shake off the final remnants of what they used to be and fully embrace their new team. Now, if they can just get them all on the floor at the same time.

No Surprise

Steve Francis

Whenever he is on the floor, there is a sense that we are seeing the beginnings of true greatness. He is a true superstar in every sense of the word. He is devastating offensively, has showtime skills and has improved his strength and defense over the summer. Like all great players, he's improved every year since entering the league and has a Hollywood smile.

What is so amazing is the ease with which Francis does his thing. His game is effortless and that is rare among NBA players. Only the best players make the game look easy and Francis is one of them. Don't take it for granted that he is here. We are witness to the evolution of a truly great player. Enjoy every minute of it.

Moochie Norris

He signs the day before the first preseason game with no training camp under his belt and when he walks on the floor, it is as if he's been practicing with the team the whole time. The more things change, the more Moochie stays the same. Yeah, it was a big contract, but what he provides is not just a valuable commodity as a player but tremendous chemistry for this team. There are certain players that just fit with certain teams. Norris fits in Houston and it's good to see him back.