The good thing now is that, unlike his situation in Orlando or in past years with the Rockets, he cannot hold the organization hostage anymore. His contract is coming up in a year and change, and at that point another team can have the luxury of buying into his ever-untapped potential. Although I would have liked to have seen us bring him back at a more reasonable rate (8-10M), I am growing doubtful that we have any chance at all at doing so. The organization's wariness with having a psyche like his on the squad would play a factor, but the dominating factor without question will be T-Mac's desire to GTHO of the city and start fresh somewhere where he will have a clean slate. He's not the type to stick it out through the rough times when the press and the fans are not on his side, and he has a track record now that would support this future decision that I bet he'll make.
The trade was great for Houston, unfortunatly it was not one that got us a championship level team....Tmac and his attitude just don't mix on that level. DD
I think Tmac is a world of talent. But he is supposed to be the man in the fourth quarter, and when has he ever been? Okay, I give him dallas game 2, and the 13 in 35. But other than that, when has he ever been clutch with the game on the line? Its hard to rely on Yao when its easy to neutralize him with a double team.
jondoe, Part of talent is mindset....TMac has amazing athletic talent, but he is a basket case in his head. Too bad...if he only grew up and became a man.....learned to trust his teamates...he could really be an all timer. DD
its a different situation because unlike orlando, you won't get any value for him. when he said he wanted a trade that year, he was a top five player, he actually did them a favor by not waiting another year and walking. unlike what shaq did to orlando. i'm no long a tmac basher, i've seen all these threads trying not to say i told you so. it just amazes me that rocket fans totally ignored this guy's faults. I actually think he's taking some undo flack for his situation. he is who he is, he will play when healthy, he can't play through pain. people should just accept it. edit: lastly, tmac or not this team is in better situation than what was left after the francis/tmac trade other than tmac and yao. jimmy jackson, mo taylor, ewwwww
It is not his health or conditioning which is the problem....it is his attitude, his teamates do not like him and want him gone.... THAT is the problem. DD
I don't understand why someone like him always needs a kick in the pants, always need motivation, always need to prove the naysayers wrong. Its like he create these opportunities so he can somehow come off heroic or something.
Rockets were a team that got to the playoffs and left in the 1st round What *exactly* has changed for the Rockets? 5~6 more wins in the regular season? Cause they still losing in the 1st round So . . . Call me crazy but . . I don't call that all that much improved. Francis Improved the Orlando by 15 games 2004-05 36 46 .439 2003-04 21 61 .256 McGrady Improved Houston by 6 games 2003-04 Houston Rockets 45 37 2004-05 Houston Rockets 51 31 Those are the Facts Rocket River
You can win with a basket case if you can manage him. Dennis Rodman and Vernon Maxwell come to mind. Let's see if the Rockets stand on T-mac motivates him along with all the criticism. Maybe he has enough pride he'll come around. We have to think not just what we can get in return for him, but who will help this team with our weaknesses - namely in those clutch situations when we need someone to make a big shot. There's not a lot of guys in this league who can do that. So I think rushing to make a trade is a big mistake...but yeah, I've always though T-mac was a bit of an emotional drama queen. Still, I think he's managable. JVG did a good job of it. I think Adelman is finally getting to it. Let's see if 2 or 3 weeks gives T-mac enough time to get over his injury and play strong the rest of the way. Perhaps a break can let him safe a bit of face and start the season over again with a relatively clean state.
We don't know if his teammates want him gone - I haven't seen that stated anywhere but clearly they want him to change at the very least.
None of them were the team leader....that is the problem here....Tmac has been ousted as the team leader, if he can accept a lessor role, and play within the system, I am sure he will be welcome back....that is a big.....change to make for a guy who is used to being "THE MAN"....I am not sure he can do it. Which is why I think you trade Artest for Hinrich.....McGrady would be just too hard to trade, though he is the one I would move first if possible. DD
Yes we do...it has been in tons of papers, articles, radio comments etc... It is obvious to anyone who is paying attention and is not swinging back and forth like Tarzan from his brown and curlies. DD
Being frustrated with a guy isn't the same as wanting him out. His teammates also know his value to the team. If they all wanted him out, if it was that toxic...he'll never play another game as a Houston Rocket.
It was different. Penny Hardaway was put to an end to his career by his knee injuries. I've been watching him for years and he did not quit like T-Mac did. Heck the last report I saw about him was he's still working hard on the rehab to try to make a last come back this season. If anyone's willing to give him a chance. He wants to win. He doesn't like how his career ended up. T-Mac's problem is lack of heart, lack of desire to win. With all his talents, if he doesn't play with desire, he will never be a champion material.
