Naaah, no one really thought Steve "I Built TC" Francis would lead the league in assists even if he had Dream, Jerry West, Larry Bird, and Elvin Hayes in their prime. He'd be too dumb to know what to do with those type of teammates. Hell he'll probably think he would still be the top dog amongst those HOF players, the way he overrates and overvalues himself.
Sorry, but now you're really falling into "silly argument" territory. Dream did NOT lead a bunch of castoffs to a title (they were solid defensive players which is what allowed them to succeed when their offense was so-so), Jordan had crap teammates along with people named Pippen, Grant, and Rodman, and let's not even talk about Cleveland and the East. Dallas had a team that a year later won 67 games and went to the championship, Utah had a team that went to the WCF, and we didn't have Yao last year. No excuses, facts. And let's face it- no one is Jordan, and Tracy is not Dream, and LeBron was an Eastern thing. Tracy has done his job, Yao has done his job, the others have failed significantly, particularly in the playoffs. Now, this year, with Artest and the rest of our supporting cast, no excuses. If we lose to New Orleans, or Utah, or anyone but LA in the opening round, we have no one to blame but ourselves. It is all on us this year. No excuses. The best analogy to use for Mac is Garnett. Doesn't anyone remember the knock on KG after he was eliminated from the first round as much, if not more, than Mac? "KG can't get his team out of the first round...KG's not a team player...etc." Look what happens in a different environment, with different players in a different situation. That's the problem with focusing too much on all this off-court stuff. No one posting on here really knows what's going on, truly, and we really can't do much about it, can we?? Except refuse to show up for or watch games. AND THAT AIN'T GONNA HAPPEN. We are going to make some noise in the playoffs. Every other year, things were hunky-dory and we failed in the playoffs. This year, nothing but controversy. And, most likely, because of this, we'll be in the Finals when everyone will expect us to fail. Awesome.
tracy is just trying to get us some national attention. see, the rockets are the talk of the NBA now. controversy SELLS. now people will tune in to see us. ESPN will send a few more peeps to cover us. tv ratings will be higher. and plus you're right, we're going to be a team going into the playoffs with LITTLE expectations (unlike the past few yrs when we're usually the team nobody wants to face) and finally we'll win. go rockets.
I'm telling you, this is the way to go now. New England Patriots- perfect season, no controversy, etc. New York Giants- players criticizing Coughlin, Tiki Barber slamming him and the team=Super Bowl Victory! Phillies- no one gives them a shot- too inconsistent- fans ripping their manager in the middle of the season, they are clearly not the favorites. Boston is the favorite- but look what they do- they get rid of their T-Mac (Manny Ramirez), and they do have playoff success, but they lose to the Rays. Lakers- pre-season- Kobe wants out- slams Kupchak- Bucher says "Kobe will be gone from LA, it's as done a deal as you can get..." No one gives the Lakers a shot, Phil Jackson hints he's sick of the situation - they do well, they get Gasol, NBA Finals. No one, no one predicted LA in the Finals before the season started. This is the current modus operandi- controversy, challenges, obstacles, difficulties, backstabbing, rumours, innuendo, etc. We are in the perfect situation to excel- BECAUSE NO ONE NOW EXPECTS ANYTHING OF US!!!!!
thats funny you say that because the game vs detroit on the 25th is scheduled to be on ESPN which is about the date he should be returning according to the 2 week time table.
Let me take this 1 step further before I let it go. Garnett in 13 yrs with Minny missed the playoffs his 1st yr and his last 2. During that time, he one 1 playoff series after they acquired cassell and spreewell. During that time he had guys like gugliotta who was a all star, marbury, terrell brandon, joe smith and a few others. Garnett was favored 1 time and that was the year with sam and latrell. Even on that team, cassell was the leader with his rings and post season success and also the big shot taker and maker despite having the mvp. Garnett plays harder than anyone in the league every possession, so that's why no one ever brings his name into things despite signing a contract that crippled his team. Tracy wouldn't have this problem if he appeared to play as hard as garnett or iverson and that's his fault. To say this team was talented is crazy especially when Yao went down 2 yrs in a row. How many teams was starting Rafer,Shane, and Hayes at the same time? I always think players can do more. Against Dallas, they had the series won, but he and Yao choked on 4th qt free throws. Not to mention, he had to do everything offensively, then go and guard one of the best pf's in the league. Show me another swing who can put up almost a triple double, then guard a guy 4 inches taller playing another position regarded as top 4 in his postion and shut him down.I think that's part of the problem with tracy and posters on this board. People see that and say know he can be the best player in the league, but chooses not to. Personally, I think Tracy is a guy who needs to be constantly challenged. That's why I think Shane handicaps him a lot of ways. If he knew he had to perform offensively as well as hold the other teams best wing, he would stay focused more. If not, he would get embarrassed and that's a great motivator. I wish he wouldn't coast during the regular season, but as long as he plays 60 games or so and is fresh for the playoffs, I don't really care. If I had my way, Yao would play about 25 mins a night for the 1st 25 games, and 30 mins for the next 57 games to make sure he's fresh for the run. That's just me though. In the end, Tracy is going to be judged by what he do on the court for the rockets. If he flames out, he will go down as a player that couldn't deliver for the rox. If he succeeds, then people would still say they don't like his lazy eye or something. It doesn't matter, just win and play well and everything will be ok.
This guy is just pissed his team got the worse end of the deal. McGrady worked out very well for us, while Francis couldn't even see the court for us. Cato sucked his way out of the league, and I'm sorry to say Mobley is completely out of the NBA. I'm not shocked by what TMac does, but that doesn't change the fact that the trade worked out well for us.
though i loved the trade when it happened, i would love for steve to succeed in orlando b/c i loved the guy. but seriously, after 20 games or so in orlando, steve can't even get onto the court for anybody, now even for the grizz.
Do as you must but I envisioned a slow progressing from Francis to yao Over the two years they played together Yao began to grow into what he is today I truly beleive in time he would have become more dominant. . . maybe out of necessity I think yao is not as dominant because. . Tmac is here and he the focus Rocket River
yao is not dominant simply b/c he has weaknesses he can't overcome and simply it's his nature not to be aggressive enough. there have been plenty of time for yao to take this team by the throat and make it his since tracy has been here. for yao to not have taken it yet (hence morey using this time to see how good yao can lead this team) tells you a lot.
That's flat out silly. Garnett is one of the most intense NBA players of this era. Grady is middle of the pack at best. Garnett took a team of marginal players to the WC Finals. I watched alot of the TWolves on NBALP because Jim Petersen is their announcer and he's pretty decent. I defy you to find a reputable link stating KG is/was selfish. On the other hand... I knew without a doubt when this thread first start it would wind up being a roll call of the Steve Only Fans. To the poster, they have the same psychological ailment...Arrested Perception. They remind me of a guy who dated an attractive girl in High School and then lost track of her for 10 years. No matter how many mutual friends tell him that she now has 3 kids and put on 50 lbs since HS, she still looks the same to him.
and that's fine...i never ever never said they did. i just said it's ridiculous to criticize the rockets for trading for mcgrady without mentioning once who they traded him for and how inconsequential those players proved to be for orlando.
At the same time, you don't fold on a check when you have a hand that has the potential to be the nuts.
The writer is not insightful, he's a troll. Even if he never gets us out of the first round, the TMac trade was a good one. With TMac on the team, the ride has been mostly fun, and the Rockets more entertaining to watch. 13 points in the last minute+, 22 game win streak, etc. Only one in 30 teams win the title each year, so if you're one of the other 29, it's still a plus if you are entertained. I say this as a Texans PSL owner since the team's inception, which team has never sniffed the playoffs.
meh. orlando fans are just bitter is all. they got screwed over with shaq ,and then with tmac. im sure dwight howard wouldnt sign an extension with them and opt to play elsewhere.
How many games have T-Mac, Yao, and Ron Ron played together this year with Battier, and our second 7 footer Mutombo, along with a rejuvenated Wafer and Brooks getting more with Brick to my Lou on the bench when the team is playing well with AB at the point? T-Mac stated at the start of the season he wasn't ready but stuck it out til Artest got back into the lineup and now wants to shut it down to get much needed rest so he's strong for the stretch run. Combine the roster factors listed above, and you have a healthy T-Mac driving the lane which I've seen more of earlier this year than in years past (drawing fouls) and give the team a chance to maintain a healthy roster and this team (with 2 7 footers and Motumbo's rebounding and shot blocking and shot altering presense) and this team is formidable. It's injuries and a lack of roster continuity and actual PT chemistry with the same roster along with pulling AB when the team is playing well that is the problem so far this year. Do you fans actually believe with a healthy T-Mac, Artest, Battier, Barry, and keeping Alston as the backup PG and cutting his minutes dramatically, that McGrady would be lazy and not want to be a part of a cohesive unit that is on the court for the rest of the season? Hell, T-Mac and Artest should be full force just shortly after the all-star break. Do you actually think Artest's freakish energy and burning competitiveness WON'T rub off on T-Mac and Yao and the Mutombo? You guys are selling McGrady short if this lineup stays healthy and you will all eat your words as it will be Ron Ron and Brooks who will bring the energy if Alstons' butt is properly nailed to the bench. It's just a matter of time and good fortune and health and T-Mac will fit in nicely and they will gel. Healthy roster for remainder of season and Rafer on bench will do wonders for McGrady who don't think would EVER not give 100% under these circumstances. Go ahead...kick him when he's down.... Big picture...perspective....patience.... peace
