Not trying to start some ridiculous trade talk here, BUT, if the Rockets DO trade Steve - realistically, what would be a trade to make in our favor? Do you think we would have to package other players? Now I'm not saying we should trade Steve, but if we do . . . who do we want that could possibly be dealt? I don't know the logistics of this happening, or if they would want to do it, but what about something like Francis, Mobley, Taylor to Seattle for Allen, Lewis, Ridnour . . . any thoughts? I think if we surround Yao with 3-pt shooters like Dream had, then maybe we could enjoy some of the same success.
If the Rox are stupid enough to trade Steve Francis then they need to get a Franchise player in return. Yao is not a franchise players and getting players to complement Yao would be a fatal mistake and one that would set the Franchise back a few years. They need someone like T-Mac, Kobe, or AI. They need a player who can dominate a game and who steps up in big games when the team really needs them.
Tracy McGrady should be option A,B and C as far as looking for someone to trade for. If you can't get that done I would suggest trying to obtain either Elton Brand or Ray Allen. I think any of those 3 players would be a big upgrade on this team. And I think we should go all out to get Brent Barry with the MLE.
So you'd play 4 shooting guards in Allen, Mobley, Barry, and Jim Jackson? This team has dire needs at the forward positions, not more 2-guards.
What's winning basketball worth to this organization? I diasgree with all this 'equal value' talk with Steve Francis. If we can trade Steve for a stud PF and a decent PG (K. Hinrich), let's do it. Steve Francis is not worth a max contract, you just have to cut your losses. Most general mgrs know what SF is worth.
Tmac would probably the best option(if available!). Add to that decent PF(Kurt Thomas?) and you have a contender! ALA
After Francis' performance in the playoffs, I would only take star quality for him and a better fit. T-Mac + Juwon Howard for Francis and MoTaylor The Magic need scoring and depth and think they may lose T-mac already. Mo would be much stronger in the east and they detest Howard's contract though I think he would be a better fit in houston w/ his mid range jumper, better defense and passing ability. We would be quite weak at the point, but its worth it to have a threat like T-mac on the team. I would explore signing Barry to the MLE. Yao Cato Howard Cato Weatherspoon Jackson Nachbar T-Mac Cat Barry Wilks (Needs Upgrade) Another possible trade target would be Seattle. Steve Francis for Ray Allen This would allow us to have a true catch and shoot player that is deadly from behind the arc. He would fit extremely well (except for his defensive intensity) on a JVG team. JVG turned steve into a defensive player and may be able to also for the still young Ray Allen.
I think the error actually was thinking that most GM's that have a clue would agree with your assessment.
First off, ignore amed, amed=Juggie. If we trade SF, maybe we can try SF+Cat for Tmac+role player (or picks). Cat is inconsistent in every aspect. His shooting can go from 80% in one week to 20% to the next. Some times he play smart, but a lot of time he play stupid, taking bad-formed shots, committing 3-pt shooting fouls, etc. With 2 scorers in Tmac and Yao, we need players that are consistent from game to game.
I guess Shaq is not a franchise player either, right, since he and Yao played each other to a wash this series? Yeah, you're right...no GM would be interested in building a team around either of those scrubs.
From what I've seen on the web the following all-star caliber players maybe available in the offseason for trades: Vince Carter Allen Iverson Jamal Mashburn Tracy McGrady Paul Pierce Antoine Walker Antoine Jamison Carter is injury prone and like Steve can play good defense but doesn't. AI is on the downside and if JVG can't get Steve to play team ball forget the big cancer. Jamal I've always liked but is too old. McGrady had a bad year acting selfish at times. But I still think is one of the top three players in the league. The chance Orlando would give him up for SF is slim. Pierce seems unhappy on a rebuilding Celtics team. Great on offense and defense. I think a perfect fit for the Rockets. Walker is too slow and overweight. Jamison is a solid all around player but is not at the same level as the others. His contract is overpriced.
Anyone who thinks we should try SF for AI doesn't have a clue! They are the same player! Iverson is just a bigger attitude problem than Stevie.....plus he's older! T-mac is the man that we need to go to the next level. In my opinion T-mac is the best SG/SF in the league. I think the Rockets should do whatever it takes! Rockets upper managment has shown a knack for getting the big name players. I mean....who would have thought that we would have been able to make deals for players such as Drexler,Barkley and Pippen before they went down! 2 out of the 3 worked well T-mac is still VERY young instead of being on the downside of his career. I think more than anything else, Francis just needs a change of scenery. I think he can still excel with the right players around him. I just don't think that the rockets will be able to make the right mix of guys for him with his contract.
The only differnce is that Shaq actually played some D while Cato was defending Shaq 90% of the time. When Yao was on Shaq, the Rockets doubled and even tripled him, meanwhile Yao was rarley doubled and still couldn't score.
