Something that really stands out to me is this: Here is the link: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6037333.html
Championship or bust(see sig) I won't be the least bit satisfied just getting out the first round. We're trying to have a parade in mid-June.
Wishful thinking on McGrady. He's far past his physical prime and nearing the end of his stint as an elite player. He could still be a very effective player into his mid 30's due to his passing, but not at $20million. This is essentially the best shot this group will have together. There is no window.
Cabbage, I hear what you are saying but what if we look at it this way. This is the last chance for the heirachy to be: 1. Tmac 2. Yao 3. Artest But, I think Yao will continue to improve and Ron can take over leadership too....so I believe the window stays open but maybe with an order like this: 1. Yao 2. Artest 3. Tmac Still open, just a bit different. DD
My concern is that T-Mac won't take a paycut come 2010. I wonder how that's going to go when the time comes.
Love the way you put it! BUT I don't think Tmac will accept being the 3rd player in the team being second after Yao, Yes. Being third, No but thats a whole another story for whole another year for now GO ROCKETS!!
Yes. But I want to raise the bar high. Too many people act as if we're just looking to make it out the 1st round.
Getting out of the first around is important but I agree with you. If this team can stay healthy, there shouldn't be a reason why their not in the WCF or the finals all together.
I do think this team is title contender but we've gotta pass first round first and then talk bout Championship. Personally I would be fully satisfied with one healthy season and deep playoffs.
tmac is not going to get another max contract. if he does stay with us after his contract ends, it'll be around $10-12 million if he's still a 20, 5, 5 guy. however, if his health does hold up, you never know. his back hasn't been a problem for a while.
But he's really slowing down. He'll be a 20-5-5 guy this year, I think. You aren't worried about the 10-15 extra pounds its estimated he's carrying around? For a guy dealing with knee issues, that's not good. Even when he's fully healthy, he's inclined not to play at full speed. In his current state, I think all his worst attributes as a player will be magnified. Other players are really going to have to step up this year.
i think his stats will go down simply b/c artest and scola will just improve that much. yao's stats will go down too. he had TWO surgeries this offseason, the first time he has ever had surgery. yes i'm worried about the extra pounds, but losing the weight is easy. look tmac started last season looking like vintage tmac before the knee injuries. again, as long as he doesn't have major injuries, i think he'll continue to play at a high level. the shoulder won't be a problem at all and he even says that. last yr, he started to coast a little in the reg. season when the injuries pile up. he played like crazy to start the year when he was healthy. we'll see how his health holds up this year. if it's bad again, then probably yes. but when the playoffs hits, i think he'll still deliver.
I'm the biggest T-Mac fan in the world but if we don't advance deep into playoffs, there is no question that it's probably "on him". His number will tell another story but seriously, if you put Wade, LeBron, or Kobe with Yao and Artest, there is NO WAY we would lose in 1st round. Even players like Carmello would compliment Yao and Artest a little bit better... to a point that we, as fans, would not have to cross our fingers entering round 1. I don't think he is a better player than TMAC, either. Maybe it's health. Maybe it's mentality. Or maybe it's efficiency and consistency. T-Mac is still top 10 in my book but there is no excuse this year. Some people might find it offensive and I really didn't want to say it but I just can't imagine the Rockets falling short if we replace T-Mac with another "superstar-calibur" guard.
Kobe without shaq or with gasol lost in the first round. tmac without yao lost in the first round. you do the math. give tracy prime shaq, he'll probaly have a few rings to. wade without shaq led the heat to the worst record in the nba. its onething to be critical, but its nother thing to be unreasonable like you.
toning it down? according to Les every new season regardless who the team has signed or lost is the "most talented team" he has owned. if anything he is just being a bit more optimistic and seeing a bigger picture here that if this team does really well, not just well, that he probably would be willing to sign guys (Artest) to deals that may push him over the LT
