Houston, We Have Liftoff

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Houston, We Have Liftoff


The most anticipated trade of the NBA offseason finally came to fruition this week with the exchange of disgruntled superstars Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis. After surviving through extensive discussions and swirling rumors about an on-again, off-again, back on-again deal that would make Jennifer Lopez's relationships seem stable in comparison, the Orlando Magic ultimately agreed to ship forward Juwan Howard and guards Tyronn Lue, Reece Gaines and McGrady to the Houston Rockets in exchange for guards Francis and Cuttino Mobley and forward Kelvin Cato.

That sound you heard was the thud of the collective jaws of general managers around the Western Conference hitting the floor.

In an off-season festering with hot stove rumors with regards to the unsettled futures of All Star athletes such as Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rasheed Wallace and Steve Nash, it was the oft-overlooked Houston Rockets that made the most significant roster modification to date, by undergoing a lengthy and grueling negotiation process. The McGrady sweepstakes were fraught with uncertainty and speculation, as teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Phoenix Suns and Rockets jumped through hoops to appease the trade demands of Orlando general manager John Weisbrond. The Suns were alleged to have offered packages including former Rookie of the Year Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion and the fourth overall pick in last week’s NBA draft. The Pacers were whispered to have tendered a package of young swingmen from the likes of Ron Artest, Fred Jones, Jonathan Bender and Al Harrington. However, in the end the Magic elected to accept Houston’s trade proposal and was forced to toss additional warm bodies into the mix for salary cap purposes.

By pulling the trigger on one of the most noteworthy trades in league history, Houston has undergone an extreme makeover that would shock even ABC executives. Houston has firmly positioned itself as a legitimate championship contender and a favorite to represent the tightly contested Western Conference in next year’s NBA Finals. With O'Neal and Bryant aching to part ways more than Butch Harmon and Tiger Woods, the star-studded duo of McGrady and new 7-foot-5 teammate Yao Ming are on the verge of becoming the most potent and dominating duet in the NBA.

At the tender age of 25, McGrady has already accomplished more in his professional basketball career than most grizzly veterans. The former lottery pick has led the league in scoring for the past two seasons, including an eye-popping 32.1 points per game average in the 2002. With numerous All-Star games and All-Pro selections under his belt, McGrady arrives in Houston with a resume rivaling all-time franchise great Hakeem Olajuwon. Teamed alongside the 23-year old Yao, both stars appear slated to enter their primes simultaneously, while donning Rockets red over the next decade. Denizens of the Bayou City have much to celebrate.

Meanwhile, the subtraction of point guard Steve Francis will do wonders for head coach Jeff Van Gundy’s health and appearance. No longer will Van Gundy be relegated to ripping out what little hair is left on his desolate scalp at the sight of Francis perpetually dribbling the basketball as the shot clock winds down or committing enough turnovers to astound a dessert chef. Instead, by pairing the fluid McGrady alongside a frontcourt stalwart in Yao, the Rockets will employ two of the top five players in the league, each of which with, astonishingly enough, the mentality to defer to the other when necessary. Two luminaries without egos the size of Dom DeLuise?

“I’m busting Jerry, I’m busting!”

The Rockets appear far from finished. The trade of Francis has left a gaping hole at the point guard position. Newly acquired Tyronn Lue is a solid backup and Reece Gaines is an unproven commodity who saw less action in his rookie season than A.C. Green did throughout his career. Houston will be in search of a floor general with the ability to distribute the ball both into the low post and on the wing, as well as the capacity to play defense and knock down open three point opportunities. With the prospects of playing alongside two bonafide superstars, the Rockets will have little trouble attracting free agents to the eternally muggy environs of Houston. Free agents likely to be available on the open market include the likes of Derek Fisher, a veteran of three championship rings who has played alongside O’Neal and Bryant for several years, experiencing both the exhilarating highs and dreadful lows of a franchise that has undergone more drama than an average episode of “Party of Five.” Fisher would be a perfect fit in Houston, though his salary demands may exceed Houston’s expectations. Other available point guards include Utah’s Carlos Arroyo, Seattle’s Brent Barry and Van Gundy’s former Big Apple comrade, Charlie Ward.

Houston could also explore a trade opportunity, with players such as Eric Snow and Chucky Atkins rumored to be available. The Rockets are in the enviable position of owning a $6.9 million trade exception, thus allowing the franchise to accept a salary as high as $6.9 million without being forced to export a player in return. However, the franchise is rumored to be dangling Eric Piatkowski and Bostjan Nachbar as trade bait in hopes to lure a quality point guard in return.

No matter whom the Rockets elect to utilize as the franchise's starting point guard, it is the tag team duo of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming that will instill fear deep in the hearts of teams around the league. Make room in the rafters of the Toyota Center, Houston, for there will be plenty of championship banners making their way south throughout the next decade.