Addition by subtraction (Tmac Apologists need not click)

Nothing motivates TMac. I think that's pretty obvious

 

Maybe if you buy his ugly Benz he will be motivated enough.

 

I have a close friend who was in a management position with the team. They gave me this take on TMac 2 years ago, but I didn't put alot of stock in it simply because they weren't on the basketball side of management. So it had to be a perception from the admin side of the organization.

Basically- TMac is a huge ego that can back it up if he wants to. He doesn't take criticism well at all. Prima donna. (alot assume as much anyway)

What I take from that is if TMac can't look good for ego sake he isn't going to bust tail unless the coach is going to stand up to him. I actually am pretty sure the 'it's on me' stuff came from what JVG kept telling him. JVG said publically on more than one occasion that the team would go as far as the star player took the team. (I'm pretty sure he didn't mean Yao)

I think the subtraction should be to send him into a total rehab situation; adjust to play without him and tell him to come back completely healthy or at playoff time whichever comes first.

Edit- and if some one comes at you around the trade deadline with an offer you can't refuse so be it.

 

It seems like it takes athletes 12 months to regain their explosiveness after knee surgery. I hope TMac can still contribute this season. Time will answer that question.

DWade was nagged with similar problems last season. He actually talked about what TMac is probably feeling after the Rockets-Heat game.

 

I agree that his "it's on me" came from JVG but Yao taking blame after losing the series also came from JVG. If I remember correctly I think JVG didn't like McGrady going public with his "it's on me." He didn't like McGrady putting the weight of his first round exits on his shoulders. JVG, since I can remember, has made subtle remarks about McGrady's ego. For example, he always mentions that McGrady focuses too much on what he can't do anymore rather on what he can.

Also, Adelman doesn't strike me as a coach who stands up to his players. Which probably also explains why it got to the point of Morey being at the meeting.

In the end, we have a better shot at the championship with him than without him. Unless a real good offer comes along, he's pretty much here to stay this season. I think we should stop fantasizing about him leaving the team and start hoping that the rest of the guys on the team realize that they can't rely on someone with McGrady's mental makeup and start stepping up their responsibilities.

 

People get caught up with Wafer because of his unreal athleticism. In reality, he's a streaky shooter who doesn't run the offense and is lost on defense. For every amazing play you see him make, he'll give you 5 bad possessions

 

Why not look to trade McGrady now AND still be players in 2010?

There are deals that can be made to trade McGrady and still have the cap flexibility to bid on those marquee FAs in 2010.

I suggested McGrady for Salmons and Miller (THIS IS NOT A RUMOR). I personally think Salmons, alone, is an upgrade over the physically declining McGrady. He does everything better than Tracy other than playmaking. Some people around here can't admit that and won't let go of the name (T-Mac) because of what he used to be.

Brad Miller may not be a great athlete, and he is also injury prone, but if Yao goes down, he is a guy that can start and give you 35 mpg, unlike Mutombo. He also excelled playing under Adelman and is one of the best bigs in the league at playing in the high post. He can pass and shoot from there which means we can also play him alongside Yao without taking away from Yao's low post game.

The Rockets would also reduce their payroll by $3-4 million, giving them room to make another move. For the Mutombo lovers, this won't keep us from holding onto him in terms of cap space. We would have to move somebody like Hayes or Head though to free up a roster spot.

This move wouldn't take us out of the 2010 sweepstakes either. Our payroll for 2010-11 would only go up by the amount of the final year on Salmons' contract ($5.8 million). Miller's contract expires at the same time as McGrady's. Yao, Battier and Salmons would be the only contracts we are locked into that are over $5 million. Landry would be the only other contract at $3 million.

The question is do you think the Kings and Rockets would be interested in this deal and do you think it would make us better in the short term? I do.

 

I agree with your point. Wafer is just another frustrating player for me. With all that talent, it would be nice to see some dedication beyond trying hard on the court (learning the plays, playing defense,ect...)

 

It's just not a good trade. Show me a deal were we get Fernandez and Outlaw, Lowry and a Warrick, ect... and I'll carry TMac to one of those destinations. Miller and Salmons just aren't worth anything to me. You're going after Miller as an insurance policy.

 

no, miller won't be just an insurance policy. he'd be a good backup center. lots of people seem to think that, with the signing of deke, our backup center issue has been solved. it is not. we may have had a legit and minimum insurance in deke, but we still don't have a legit backup 5 who can spare yao's load when yao is NOT down.

 

Salmons is on a garbage team with unlimited shooting rights. Believe me, we don't go out there thinking these "good players on bad teams" will make us better. You know how high we used to be on Bonzi Wells. How 'bout Mr 20pts+5asts Mike James? No way Salmons is better than Tracy. Even if we get Kevin Martin, I wouldn't think it'd make our team better. And Brad Miller? 2 yrs 23 mil? You serious?

 

no one thinks salmons is bette than mcgrady. but are you thinking we can still possibly get back a star quality player in a mcgrady trade? or are you ejecting the whole trading idea?

 

Agreed.

Why not just sit him out for the next 2-3 months and hope he comes back hungry and healthy for the end of season and playoffs.

The current arrangment and his effort are rediculous!

 

He's an insurance policy here. He's a solid backup center, but when his contract is up, he will be starting for someone. We aren't going to pay to retain him. Therefore, he's a waste for us

 

McGrady is on a good team with unlimited shooting rights. He's shooting under 40% from the field. He has shot poorly from the field every season he's been with the Rockets. His 3pt% has been bad every season he's been with the Rockets other than the start to this season. There is a long way to go and I expect him to finish in the low 30%s like usual. For a below average average shooter, he loves to shoot. Scratch that, he HAS to shoot because he can't physically get to the basket and finish consistently like he could 5 years ago.

What does McGrady do better than Salmons other than playmaking?

Salmons is a tremendous slasher. McGrady can't even get to the basket consistently anymore. When he does, he can't finish well. This was the case for the last 2 years, not just post-arthroscopic surgery or whatever it was.

Salmons is also a better shooter and has a far healthier body. McGrady's body is in bad shape and it's been that way for years. He wasn't blessed with a body that could last 10+ years in this league. For all his talent, it's useless at this stage with his body in rapid decline. We shouldn't keep holding onto the past and expecting some magical resurgence. His body won't allow that even if his mind wanted it.

Miller's contract expires next season, like McGrady's. McGrady? 2 yrs 42 mil? You serious?

 

Salmons is not a tremndous slasher. ahe was not even that at Miami. He played a solid role with Philly, and is feasting off minutes in Sac. He's a solid role player. You're making him out to be something he isn't.

 

You need to watch Salmons more then. And if you compare him to McGrady, he's all the better.

Take a look at Salmons' shot chart: http://www.nba.com/hotspots/. He's gotten to the basket 209 times already this season and is 59% from that spot.

Kobe's only gotten to the basket 182 times and 61% (that is terrific for a guard).

Pierce, 135 times and 49%. He's usually among the top slashers in the league.

Devin Harris, 174 times and 54%. One of the premiere slashers in the league now.

McGrady, 80 times and 52%.

McGrady last season, 327 times and 50%. Salmons will reach that total in a few weeks.

There are actually few better at getting to the basket and finishing this season.

 

It doesn't. Two weeks ago you said the Rockets should "roll the dice" with McGrady even though he is injured all the time and get rid of Artest. Now you say that they shoudl get rid of McGrady, because he is injured all the time. Other than McGrady going from injured all the time to injured all the time - one is hard pressed to find a change in circumstance.