First things first: It's not Yao Ming's fault.

"Don't even go there," an executive from another team says.

There are numerous reasons why the Rockets have been one of the season's big disappointments, but their 7-6 center is not one. Even though his scoring and shooting are down, no longer does anyone accuse Yao of being too soft or too slow or too — whatever. "With Shaq not what he once was, Yao is the most dominant big man in the league," the exec says.

Make no mistake, though: The Rockets have struggled. A six-game losing streak in November put them in a hole that they're just now emerging from, having climbed back to .500 last week. They began the week in 10th place in the West, two games out of the final playoff spot and needing to win 35 of their final 48 games to duplicate last season's 52-30 record.

The problems have been plentiful. First, a tough early schedule. The Rockets had played a conference- high 20 road games going into the week. The Spurs, meanwhile, had played 12. Tracy McGrady has missed a handful of games because of injury, this time because of a strained knee. In his three-plus seasons with the Rockets, they are 15-34 when he doesn't play.

There also have been personnel issues. Starting point guard Rafer Alston is considered a knucklehead by many outside the organization. Sixth man Bonzi Wells is not a player you can depend on, and the return of reserve point guard Steve Francis has not helped on or off the court. "We're still developing our chemistry," says small forward Shane Battier. A scout puts it another way: "bad basketball karma."

Still, the No. 1 reason the Rockets have underachieved is basic -- they haven't put the ball in the basket. Ironic, really, considering the franchise did not retain coach Jeff Van Gundy because he was too defense-oriented. So far, the Rockets, 20th in scoring, have been less efficient under new coach Rick Adelman, who earned praise for directing a high-powered offense with the Kings, than they were under Van Gundy.

Until recently, the Rockets had only two players -- guess who? -- scoring in double figures. Their starting forwards, Battier and Chuck Hayes, average fewer than 12 points combined. With such an offensively inept supporting crew, no wonder Yao's numbers are down. Teams can double- and triple-team him be- cause they know the Rockets don't have other options, especially when McGrady is out.

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McGrady's return, while welcome, will present a new challenge. Only recently have the Rockets started running Adelman's offense more efficiently. Wells and Alston, bene_ ting from newfound freedom, scored in double figures in five consecutive games. So when McGrady comes back, does the movement continue or does everyone stand around and watch T-Mac?

"Don't change your game when I'm out there," McGrady says. "At the same time, when I'm not out there, they have to play this style because they don't have a guy on the perimeter who's going to attract much attention. I draw so much attention all they have to do is sit out there wide-open and knock down shots. Guys like that."

As long as they're making their shots, anyway. But when the shots don't fall and the movement stops, the Rockets won't take off.

If they don't, at least now you'll know whom not to blame.