Hope the last part of this story can come true

*********** NBA [Home]

McGrady trade makes Rockets team to watch






By Jerry Mittleman / July 7, 2004
The trade that sent Tracy McGrady to the Houston Rockets this week is the tipoff to a summer that could alter the NBA universe. Deals that could include other stars like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will probably determine the power structure of the league (certainly the Western Conference) for years to come.

Though any team that obtains Shaq becomes an immediate title contender, the McGrady deal probably has the greatest long-term significance. The duo of McGrady and Yao Ming gives the Rockets the best inside-outside threat this side of Kobe and Shaq, and certainly the best in the league if the Lakers break up this summer.

McGrady is almost on a par with Bryant as the best perimeter player in the league. Yao, if he fulfills his enormous potential, should replace Shaq one day as the dominant big man in the NBA. Already, in his first two years in the league Yao has matched up favorably in head to head meetings with O'Neal.

The Rockets should become one of the elite teams in the West, but some important changes need to be made before another championship flag can be hung at Toyota Center.

What the Rockets need now is a point guard; a true playmaker who is capable of organizing Houson's attack and a coach who can utilize the full potential of the Yao-Tracy combo.

The Rockets finished this past season with a "disappointng" 45-37 record, in Jeff Van Gundy's first season as head coach. Although Houston improved its win-loss record by two games, made the playoffs and had one of the three stingest defensives in the league, Van Gundy's first year still fell short of expectations.

Van Gundy, as expected, succeeded in upgrading the Rockets' defense. But like his predesessor, Rudy Tomjanovich, Houston failed to utilize all of Yao's ability on offense.

Much of the blame was foisted upon the shoulders of Steve Francis, who never saw eye-to-eye with Van Gundy and was sent to Orlando in the McGrady deal. Francis has never been a "true" point guard and has always had a shoot-first mentality. Even 39-year-old Mark Jackson, in the last breath of a 17 year NBA career, orchestrated the Rocket attack more effectively then Francis.

Yao isn't nearly aggressive enough in creating his own shot and is dependent on teammates to get him fully involved. Getting a point guard who makes a priority of utilizing Yao's height and athleticism is a must. It still might not be enough to transforn the Rockets.

Van Gundy is a defensive minded coach who has now acquired one of the most unique offensive players in the game. Van Gundy is a dedicated, hard-working, successful NBA coach, but it still remains to be seen, if he can alter his coaching style and philosophy enough to fully exploit the talents of McGrady and Yao.

If there ever was a future scenario that was scripted for Phil Jackson, this is the one: two mega-talents and a team just looking for the right direction. If Van Gundy fails, don't be surprised to see the Zen Master come back from his Montana ranch and take his place.