steve is just not as talented as kobe...i dont get why people should say he is. kobe is just a flat out better player on both ends of the court. better passer, shooter, defender, rebounder, scorer, and he is taller. so yes kobe for francis is a great trade if the rockets had that opportunity.
Kobe for Francis, I'd throw in Mobley and Griffin! First of all, Francis is older than Kobe and probably plays point better than Francis.
Of course I'd do Francis and Mobley for Kobe. Come on. Kobe does whatever he wants whenever he wants. Don't tell me he didn't do anything when Shaq was out, let's see Francis carry the Rockets withough Mobley, Posey and Ming. Yes, Shaq is worth that much. I love Francis and the Rockets, but sometimes you just face the reality of things. Kobe does EVERYTHING better than Francis. They may be equal on 3-pt accuracy, or Francis may even have the edge. But other than that, Kobe's refined all his skills, has won rings, and has nowhere to go but higher. Meaning, he's inches from Micheal Jordan status, but only 25 or 26 years old.
Why don't we study how to prevent Yao from being snatched by the Fakers? That's more realistic situation than this trade. BTW, why Shaq went to LA?
Cause the Lakers offered him 20 mil per year! and Magic didn't have that kinda loot lying around. I am pretty sure when Ming's contract is done here in houston. we can expect the next signing of Ming to be the biggest contract ever in NBA history. By that time, Rice, MoT and Moochie will be gone. But we'll have to resign Posey, Nachbar,Mobley and Griffin. However, by the time Ming's contract expires, Shaq will be gone and so will his 20 million per year contract. Things ain't looking good.
If Kobe ever plays on the same team with Yao, it is going to be in LA. There is a far higher probability of Yao leaving Houston than Kobe leaving the Tinseltown.
If Rockets continue to play the way they are playing right now, you have to wonder where Yao will go after the 4-year rookie contract. Come on, everybody except Rudy T, Francis, and Mobley knows the big man is mostly ignored on offense. It's in every Rockets scout report and said by every Rockets game TV anouncer. They all know to beat Rockets, just make it difficult for Yao to score in the first few minutes. Then the Rockets guards will go ISO and perimeter jumpers. Why Rockets keep losing to the scrubs like Chicago, Cleveland? Cuz they all used the simple plan!
Yao will not leave Houston. The Rockets can offer Yao more money than any other team in the league. Les will not allow Yao to bolt.
do you think the lakers are that dumb trading kobe for franchise? kobe will average 30 points a game once shaq retires.
I hope Yao will stay a Rox his entire career, but cities like New York and LA will throw out all kinds of money to lure Yao away. Yao may like Houston but is Team Yao as loyal to Rox? Well, at least we have Yao for 4 more years. Let's just enjoy ride now.
It's not just about money. He will make much more money from sponsorship than from his contract. Yao loves to play basketball, especially TEAM basketball. People will say Yao is loyal. I believe he is. But if Rockets miss playoff this year, and continue to be mediocre, no team ball, and not wining a championship in 3 1/2 years, Yao may want to go somewhere else. LA or Dallas, who both know how to utilize big man and play team ball. Yao is a rookie right now. He will be very humble. But I bet deep inside, he is very upset with Rockets's non-team oriented players and strategies. Remember in Detroit game, he openly said Rockets are having fewer and fewer assists? In the first Kings game, he said the Kings 5 players played like 1.
The way the Rockets have played for the past few years with Cat and SF making miniscule improvements, Yao would be stupid to stay with the Rockets any longer than he has to stay. I'm a Rocket fan but I wouldn't want to stay on a team than won't be coached.
I just love the way how any thread on SF/Cat always end up a "is Yao gonna stay with us after 4 years thread." God you guys are depressing.
Being a fan of the Rockets, I've lived and died with Stevie the past four years. So I'd keep Stevie because of the attachment I have for him. There's something to watching a player struggle from the start and then break out and find their glory. I think that's one reason why many true Rox fans wouldn't trade Hakeem's 2 for MJ's 6. That said, if I was a GM and my family was being held hostage, and I had to win now...it'd be Kobe in a heartbeat. I wouldn't get the same thrill had Stevie done it for me, but at least my family is likely safe
After this Game I must state that I think it best that we live with what we have! Its no use swapping one selfish player for another!
