Here's how I look at it though: who could contribute more to the team, T-Mac or Shaq? With T-Mac you get a go-to scoring option if Yao is being doubled/fronted, something we obviously lacked last season. However, we don't know how good he'll be next season, nor do we know if he'll want to be a starter (who would he bounce from the starters if we re-sign Ron?) or come off the bench. With Shaq, you obviously get a back-up center, also something we obviously lacked at the end of last season (though due to injury). You get a reliable scoring option for the second squad (Shaq, Landry, Lowry, Wafer?? As a second units?? Watch out!). However, how would Shaq feel about coming off the bench? Didn't he do it for a little while in Phoenix and it worked out fairly well? It was right when he joined Phoenix, so I don't remember too well. Anyway, you also get Shaq's personality... not sure if that'd be good or bad, though. Personally, I say it's a toss-up. We should really just get rid of McGrady for something that's a more sure benefit than Shaq would be. Also, $20 million for a back-up center is ridiculous, even in this situation.
Slow but effective. The question is can they stay healthy and play together at least 70 games? The second unit can infuse the speed when either Yao or Shaq sits and Landry and others come in.
I love the idea! Give Shaq 20 mpg. Yao would learn from Shaq too; it would develop his game even further.
Maybe if you said that 5 years ago. Newsflash, its 2009 and Yao is a superior player in virtually every category and, by the way, can hit FTs down the stretch.
i'd rather having a healthy tmac(maybe even 70-80%) than a dominating shaq due to the existance of yao on this team. having two dominating big guys is kind of great, but it just wastes the talent of both guys. and i dun see this team has too much chance to beat those small ball teams while we might be the slowest team in the league. we needa MAXIMISE the advantages of yao, and utilize. if the way is to sigh shaq, thats juz totally another story. on the other hand, a healthy tmac can help rockets run offense much better than shaq, due to his pass ball ability. moverover, tmac is able to draw defense from yao(even he has only single leg), which is the solution of fronting and double teams. IMO, the most important thing for this rockets team is having a back-up C who must be much cheaper than 20millions, and a player as the substituion of Tmac(if he is traded), who is able to score, creat space for himself, and know how to PASS the ball, thats what it all about.
Imagine trying to start a fight with our team next year if we got Shaq-Daddy. Shaq, Yao, Artest, Hayes, Landry, Dorsey. Badass!
I think Yao played too much games (NBA and China) that caused him to go down at the end of the season. If coach RA can limit Yao's minutes, he'll be able to complete the season. Shaq on the other hand is getting old and also needs a limited minutes. If he can swallow his ego and just focus on winning a championship, then TMac for Shaq trade might work. This team took the Lakers to game 7 without a true center. Lack of size inside caused them to go deep in the playoffs and beat the much taller LA and maybe win the championship. If the Rockets can keep the group together with the addition of Shaq, then the Rockets will be the legitimate threat for championship team next season without a doubt. IMO...
Excellent option IMO if he want a title now. He is as good as we are likely to get for the T-Mac contract. You limit the minutes of these guys and if Yao does get hurt you are still left with a team capable of going all the way. The problem people would say is these two could never share the court but I disagree. The thinking would be that there would be constant 4 on 3's going the other way while the big fellas get back, however for this to happen there would have to be an athletic 4 and with the exception of a few there are no 4's who are quick and athletic enough to murder Shaq the other way that wouldn't get destroyed by Shaq at the defensive end, it would force teams to work out if its better to try and hurt the Rockets on offense and get killed on D or try and even the matchup on both ends. On offense Yao's range means they don't have to share the space down low and makes for some interesting plays I am sure. I think you give them 30 minutes each a game, it would keep both happy and they don't have to share the court too much if they don't wish to. Like the article said it would make one tough ass team, I would not want to be up against a lineup of Lowry, Artest, Battier, Scola and Shaq... ouch.
Dead on, for the same reason i think Lebron's playoffs should serve as an example that team-ball has caught back up with the the times. Lebron was great but teammates NEED a rhythm. It' hard to score when you only shoot and you're expected to hit. Shane is a perfect example.
Getterdone! Play each for 20mins and whoever dominates the most gets the last 10mins. We'll have 2 of the best centers in the NBA healthy and owning every team.
Give each 24 mins so we will have an always fresh C combo which can produce 35/25 and no foul trouble.
If we are interested in Shaq, there would be no need to deal with them directly or to deal with them first. We could do a Hughes, Mobley, and the 8th pick for Tmac first. New York has been rumored to have inquired about Tmac with a package of Hughes, Mobley and either Lee or the pick. We then trade Hughes for Shaq and the 14th. The Suns save 6.5 million immediately and don't have to sign a rookie thus saving them even more. Now we have Mobley's expiring and two top 15 picks on top of getting Shaq. I think something like this goes with Morey's philosophy of maximizing assets. Mobley, Landry and a pick can be packaged for a veteran shooting guard.
I would gladly do T-Mac & fillers for Shaq & Nash. If Shaq can teach Yao how to properly seal off his man then he would be worth his $$.
