http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/30/sports/basketball/30nba.html Tracy McGrady got his wish, and the National Basketball Association has another glamour team. McGrady Gets His Wish, and Rockets' Future Is Now By CHRIS BROUSSARD Published: June 30, 2004 Tracy McGrady got his wish, and the National Basketball Association has another glamour team. McGrady, the superstar swingman who demanded a trade from the Orlando Magic, was dealt to Houston yesterday in a long-anticipated seven-player deal that could propel the Rockets into the league's elite. McGrady, the N.B.A.'s top scorer the past two seasons, will join forces with Yao Ming, Houston's 7-foot-6 center, to form, on paper, an inside-outside tandem second only to the Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. With O'Neal and Bryant possibly splitting up, McGrady and Yao could make Houston the league's new darling. Although McGrady was the best player in the trade and will strengthen the Rockets, the deal was by no means one-sided. Orlando, with the league's worst record last season, received the All-Star point guard Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato for McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines. The Magic's new players could be enough to put the team in contention for a playoff spot. And with the draft picks Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson, Orlando's future seems bright. Orlando preferred to keep McGrady, but he told the club two weeks ago that he planned to opt out of his contract after next season, so it had little choice but to trade him. Eight years ago, the Magic neglected to trade O'Neal; he went to the Lakers as a free agent, and Orlando received nothing in return. Determined not to repeat the mistake, the Magic put McGrady on the market and received several strong offers. Indiana and Phoenix were the Rockets' closest competitors for McGrady, but he wanted to play with Yao. McGrady refused to promise any other team that he would not opt out of his contract after one season. That left Houston as the only team standing. News of the Magic's imminent deal with the Rockets broke nine days ago, but Francis' initial objection to the trade gave Orlando reason to pause. Excited about what the Rockets were developing, Francis spoke disparagingly about going to the Magic. Although Francis is under a long-term contract and has no leverage, Orlando did not want another star who did not want to be there. So General Manager John Weisbrod signed off on the deal only after a meeting with Francis yesterday convinced him that Francis would be happy playing for the Magic.
and this from Nevertheless, the potential of a great perimeter player and a great, big center was demonstrated by O'Neal and Bryant, who won three titles, amid disagreements. The Pacific Division might be losing one of its great powers, but the new Southwest might have added one. http://www.latimes.com/sports/baske...,1,7792115.story?coll=la-headlines-sports-nba
