Chron: FEIGEN'S ROCKETS Q&A Trade Yao? Some fans taking the loss hard

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2513448

<p>By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

<p>Question: Don't you think the Rockets should trade Yao Ming now when he still has value? The playoffs exposed his weaknesses which cannot be corrected. He is a fadeaway jump shooting center who lacks aggression and doesn't have the vertical leap. How can a 7'6" ft guy get his shots blocked so often?
JDK in Denver
<p>Answer: Trade Yao Ming? You're taking this loss hard.
<p>No, no, no, and no.
<p>He has a long way to go, but for all the shortcomings you mentioned, if the Rockets put him on the block, roughly 29 teams would come calling. He'll get better. Remember, he is in his second season, almost like a kid coming out of high school. A pack of solid players is never worth giving up one star. He will be a star, might be a superstar and should never be in any trade conversation.
<p>Van Gundy playing with hand he was dealt
<p>Q: Early in the season, players made lots of mistakes because they weren't sure what Jeff Van Gundy wanted. He has had a full season to preach his message and even had a free hand to bring in some of his previous players who presumably already knew his philosophy. His message either isn't getting through, or it isn't a very good message. Since a coach is responsible for getting his team ready to play, I have to ask, is he really the right coach?
David in Houston
<p>A: Maybe they are not the right players. It didn't work with Rudy's personal style and it hasn't worked with Jeff Van Gundy's. Both could make the mix look better, but it is what it is. For playoff basketball, or in the heat of a late-season playoff run, the Rockets are not tough enough to be at their best under pressure. They certainly do not take care of the ball well enough. And they still seem to have a very short bench, giving any coach too few options.
<p>As far as Jeff bringing in his players, adding 39-year-old Mark Jackson and Clarence Weatherspoon is hardly much of a change. There is work to be done. Jeff, like Rudy, is a proven coach. But the best poker player can only play the hand he is dealt.
<p>Jackson crucial to Rockets success
<p>Q: All year long I wondered why Jim Jackson had spent most of his NBA career filling out change of address cards. In the playoffs against the Lakers he showed me why. Does he still have trade value or are we stuck with him? Some of his turnovers looked to me like he had his money on the Lakers.
J.L. in Conroe
<p>A: Jackson is surprisingly turnover prone. But he is so solid in every other way, the Rockets absolutely need him. You don't even want to think about this season without Jackson. They've got him for two more seasons and need more like him.
<p>Making playoffs garners at least a 'C' grade
<p>Q: I think the Rockets did pretty well considering the kind of team they have. Steve Francis never takes open shoots because he is not a good shooter so every defender knows he is only going to drive it in. Cutino Mobley only knows to run and shoot. Cato, he can't shoot even if his life depends on it, even the short ones. There is a reason why Jim Jackson has been on so many teams: he is real good as a sixth man, if he had one less turnover or forget about one more jump shot, the Rockets will be 3-2, but of course he starts on the Rockets. And a second-year center, who plays all year round, Mo Taylor is good for coming off the bench. ... A team like that making the playoffs, is pretty good, I think. Don't you agree?
Fan in Houston
<p>A: I'll go with Yao Ming on this one. Just making the playoffs is worth a grade of 70, a 'C.'
<p>The Rockets have two All Star starters. Even if that is a testament to their popularity, Yao was named third-team All-NBA. It's certainly a flawed roster. A backup center starts at power forward; a shooting guard starts at small forward; there is no reliable backup at any perimeter position; the most well-rounded power forward is Clarence Weatherspoon. But if you're suggesting that this team overachieved, I can't agree with you.
<p>The Rockets are not unlike last season's Timberwolves, without the playoff experience. Kevin Garnett is certainly a more accomplished superstar than either Steve Francis or Yao Ming. But they were a team that knew it was good enough to get in the playoffs and no more. They had to dramatically bolster the roster and did. The Rockets have work to do.