Yes Mcgrady is playing again because he doesn't have the same frame as Yao Ming. His body doesn't have to withstand 320 lbs. Having Yao playing 15 mins a game would probably do more bad than good for this team. Why not have a young player like Hill play more instead of giving that 15 mins to Yao? I mean look at Yao this season. The Rockets tried their best to limit Yao as much as they can. 24 mins a game, no back to back etc and look what happen. As much as they tried to limit Yao, he still had another stress fracture after 7 games and that is with 24 mins along with no back to backs. 15 mins a game with no back to backs? He probably last 15 games before he goes down again. The point is no matter how much we want him to play and how we all managed to believe he can make a full recovery and return, its not going to happen. We should really look at whats best for the team. Its not only his future with the Rockets but his future. Right now, basketball shouldn't be an option for him. Yao should worry more about living a healthy life without any problems. If he keeps forcing himself to return, it might affect his way of life. It can cause permanent damage to his legs and can affect the way he would walk. This is more serious than basketball. RIght now the last thing Yao should worry about is basketball but more of his own future of living a productive life. BTW The Rockets trading Yao is the first step to a brighter future. The Yao and Mcgrady era ended over 2 years ago. Its time to step forward, not backwards. It sucks to see it end this way. We all want that fairy tale ending where Yao wins championship in Houston and retires as a Rocket. But reality strikes. Im glad Les and Morey sees this and know that by trading Yao for high lotto picks along with young talent is the best bet for this franchise.
Add in Hawes or Speights for a TPE... the sixers are getting huge cap relief so I think its only fair...
This trade makes too much sense from the rumors and for all involved. http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=25tloy5
Emeka's also a PF being forced to play C by necessity. If he was all I'm gonna get I'd rather just keep Hill and let him develop into a much better Okafor.
With the trading of Yao up in the air and with the MLE and DPE we have, we would definitely be seeing a lot of changes in the Rocket's roster this season. Within the next 45 days(because the DLE would be expired in 45 days) I'm sure Daryl will use all of these tools in action and a VERY big deal is going to be made, must more bigger than the previous Wizards, Suns, Magic trade.
The article said Cousins is untouchable despite his character. I'm thinking it's for lottery picks as the article suggest from the Bobcats and young players from the Kings outside of Cousins.
Also, re first using the DPE and then trading Yao. You don't get an extra roster spot with the DPE. So if you're intend on using the DPE, you'd either have to waive someone first (most likely Ish Smith) or make another trade where you'd send out at least one more player than you'd get in return. That is of course unless you do a simultaneous trade with the DPE for player X, followed by a Yao trade, where you'd send out at least one more player than you'd get in return. I've never seen such a trade, but I'd guess it would be legal.
Who knows, but i think it will be young players not named Cousins. Maybe bad contracts/youth/pick from Kings and same with Bobcats. That's pretty fair imo. Taking Cousins would be like a Gasol type deal 'rip off'
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=2697su5 Houston Trades: Yao and AB (plus trade exception) Houston Receives: Cousins, Dalembert, Udrih Maloofs cut 13M off their tiny payroll after you subtract the 8M insured on Yao's contract. We roll with: Lowry/Udrih Martin/Lee Battier/T-Will Scola/Hill Cousins/Dalembert Nice mix of youth and vets... still no superstars, but T-Will or Cousins could eventually develop into one.
Keep in mind that if multiple players come back in a trade for Yao, other players from the Rockets will have to be involved or cut. Ish might be the one cut if more players come in the trade than go but if you guys get into +2 or +3 proposals, guys with guaranteed contracts will have to be moved as well. So, who are you cutting if you get 3 or more players?
Depends on who the players are. I was really high on Whiteside i think he has Marcus Camby potential a real long guy wing span of 7'7 and a great weakside shot blocker. He was averaging like 5 blocks a game in college. And Thompson i don't know he'd be a good value get for something better down the line. The simple fact he's still raw, but has some nice skills for a big man and almost averaged a double-double last season, a really nice prospect with some value imo. Cassapi though i don't see room for a player like that. We have Williams, Budinger, unless he's better then Bud and is involved maybe Bud is the one who is cut. Keeping Bud around though can be used for Thompson for something better down the road. Keep in mind Houston still has that TE from Ariza deal. Then there is bad contracts as fillers.
