Hey kids, it’s a new Rockets season. But this isn’t the Jeff Van Gundy Rockets of years past. This is a new Houston Rocket team: a team that might run the fast break on occasion. A team that will resemble the Phoenix Suns of 2006 more than the New York Knicks of 1994. Sure, the newly married Yao is back. So is T-Mac. And Stevie Franchise has actually returned to the team. But the most significant addition will be on the bench, as new coach Rick Adelman brings his motion offense of precise passing, player movement and excitement. It’s style-vs.-substance time! (Lakers über-fan Jack Nicholson won’t be making the visit, though; that’s just because he doesn’t know how much more attractive the Rockets Power Dancers are than the Laker Girls.) Tip-off is at 8 p.m. Toyota Center, 1510 Polk. For tickets and information, call 866-4HOUTIX or visit www.nba.com/rockets. Tickets start at $10.

Wed., Nov. 14, 8 p.m.; Sun., March 16, 6 p.m., 2007

This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2007.

John Royal is a native Houstonian who graduated from the University of Houston and South Texas College of Law. In his day job he is a complex litigation attorney. In his night job he writes about Houston...