The Bulls are in panic mode and Paxson's head is on the chopping block now that Skiles is gone. They are fabricating these rumors and basically just throwing everything against the wall and hoping something sticks. Tmac is not leaving but I'll bet that Chicago makes a big deal soon even if it is just Paxson trying to save his job.
It probably went something like: Paxson: How about [crappy package] for TMac. Morey: How about Luol... Paxson: [Hang up phone]
Gordon = Francis Hinrich = Mobley Thomas = Cato Thats how they're similarly approaching it over there...
No trades. I want to battle with the boys we have now. There is something about the last 6 games performances that makes me feel comfortable for the rest of the year. I actually have hope. Also, I WANT these guys to make it, like I would want Jeff to sell more of his photography. Plus, I keep getting a feeling that Tracy is going to explode. Not 40 pts a night explosion, but fitting into Adleman's system like a glove. Another thing, I hope after last night's game we can drop all this crud about Hayes & Battier, who held their own against the supposed best forward tandum of the league.
Consider the present Tmac vs the Magic Tmac, there is a reason that there is even a trade rumor involving Tmac...
He doesn't need to adjust at all. The other role players need to keep playing their roles and attack the basket and knock down their open jumpers. I am amazed at so many people who think Tmac "needs to adjust". That is bull, I am more skeptical of the role players continuing to be aggressive especially Luther Head. For some reason he is not as aggressive when Tmac plays and no it has nothing to do with the way Tmac plays. I also think Adelman needs to continue to stress running and cutting like we have been doing instead of isolating McGrady which he was doing a lot because nobody else could hit shots before.
When I say he doesn't need to adjust, I mean it will not be a problem for him to start playing like we all want him and the team to play. He has a very high bball IQ so I don't think it will be difficult is all I am saying.
Another rumor, all this started after Magic opened his damn mouth on TNT, followed quickly by Sam Smith. it's all crap and it's no one has a sliver of proof that Tracy either wants to be traded or is unhappy.
Well, considering 2/3 of their biggest contracts are BYC (difficult to trade) and the other is Ben Wallace's ginormous franchise-killing deal I think it's safe to say that a deal would hard to be pull off.
Obviously Tmac is an all star talent, but is he really a super star? How many other "super stars" are still looking for their first play off series win in their 11th season? Most super stars are getting hammered in the media for not winning a ring by that point. Beyond that Tmac's health problems are the biggest concern. His health is more likely to get worse over time than better, and his value on the bench injured is zero. Certainly I wouldn't be looking to dump Tmac, but I still don't consider him untouchable either. Deng plus someone else would pretty much be required for me to like any deal with the Bulls though. Another huge factor would be getting a contract extension for Deng and how much you would want to pay him as he is in the last year of his deal.
you're kidding about that approach right? Gordon is a shooter, Franchise isn't Hinrich and Mobley being equal or same type of player? I'm not even going to go there. Thomas is quicker and better than Cato, nuff said
Well, I can see all the homers are in on this thread. To take a contrary position, I would love to trade Tmac if we can get some value, and get rid of his contract. The team would still need another trade or draft pick after that, but at least we'd be moving toward a future as a legitimate team. A legitimate team has 5 players who can be counted on to compete at their positions. I don't think we can say that now. We are covering over the holes in this team with gauze and duct tape. We're not going anywhere with this crew. The good teams cut through the Rockets like a buzz saw. The Rockets will never compete with bench talent at 3 positions. The current wins are fools gold.
If I was going to trade McGrady, I'd ask for the moon from Chicago (i.e. McGrady, James, and Alston for Wallace, Heinrich, Gordon, and Sefolosha - salaries match up according to the ESPN trade checker ). The only problem is that would put us even further over the luxury tax threshold due to the money that Wallace and Heinrich are making (Heinrich is a BYC player, IIRC). Gordon would be Adelman's new B-Jax off the bench and Heinrich could be the new Bibby. Battier, Wallace, Yao, Sefolosha, Heinrich would be my starters with Gordon, Wells, Scola, et. al. coming off the bench. That being said, let's see how McGrady comes back and performs. He was on fire starting off the year being a finisher rather than the initiator of the offense. Now that some of the outside shooters have started to come around a little, it should make Mac that much more effective.
that's not asking for the moon. Any deal with T-Mac and Chicago asking for the moon will involve Deng.
Probably true, but I thought we'd better get a PG back if we traded away Rafer, and I like what Kirk would bring to the team. Plus, if we trade for Deng, we'd probably have to move Battier, and I'm a Sugar Shane fan
Well I just asked Daryl Morey on 610AM this morning and he said there's no truth to the rumor that Tmac is unhappy and also said that Tracy recently told him that he was happy here and is looking forward to the rest of the season. Take it for what it's worth I guess...
I'd say it's worth very little. There is no good reason to let it be known that your star player is unhappy or that you are even considering trading him. It would only reduce his value in any trade talks. I suspect they are not actively looking to trade TMac at this point, but I also suspect that if the right offer came along they wouldn't consider him untouchable.
The steely eyed realist act, eh? You get one of these The Rockets have already beat "the good teams" in the NBA THIS YEAR! The Rockets are deeper then they were a year ago, play championship level defense and are becoming a more fluid and versatile offensive team before our very eyes. Incidentally, who are these magical 10 starter-level deep teams? The Celtics? Suns? Warriors? Hornets? Spurs? You basically only have the Pistons and Mavericks who would fit as a "legitimate team" in your view. Tell you what, you keep whining with the sky-is-falling pantywaists and the rest of us will enjoy the ride.
