I would hope that the vast majority of this BBS are members of the Rockets fan club. As a member of this group, while I got frustrated with his play at times, I cheered for Steve Francis the whole time he played here. I had reservations when I heard about the trade, but was excited to get McGrady. What Rockets fan wouldn't be, on some level? As a Rockets fan, I wished Francis well, and was sure that with his "friend" Mobley and Cato, he would turn Orlando into a playoff team overnight. I was afraid of the torchings he was going to put on us as a member of the Magic, and glad he was going to be in the East, where he could do it less often. Now, as a member of the Rockets fan club, I am upset that Steve is trying to exercise a power play (which he has no contractual right to do) in order to kill a deal that will bring my team Tracy McGrady.
ohhhhh...you don't think it's gonna work out for us?? well, then...not sure what i was thinking!!! now i'm glad francis has sabotaged the deal! thanks, Steve!!!
So you agree with him? Because basically he was saying that Steve's argument (that Orlando wouldn't make the playoffs, was rebuilding, etc.) had no basis, since he should be able to make the playoffs in Orlando with Mobley, Cato and the #1 pick. I agree with this assessment, by the way- That Orlando team should be able to make the playoffs. So it really shouldn't be about the team being terrible. If Steve, Cuttino and Kelvin play like they did here (and especially if the #1 pick pans out at all), that's a playoff team in the East. It's more about Steve not getting what he wants. Which is fine, but don't try to say Orlando is going to be terrible, that only makes Steve's estimation of his own talents (and those of Cuttino and Kelvin) look worse, in my opinion.
what history??? i can think of a deal a team made to bring in a young top 5 player that worked out pretty well around 1997 or so...it involved a guy named Shaq going to the Lakers.
i understand that....my point is that they acquired a guy who was among the very best in the game. that's what the rockets are doing here while still keeping yao ming.
He did. I think by "deal", MadMax meant the Lakers doing whatever was necessary to get Shaq over there. (clearing the bankrolls, etc..)
Maybe Steve is not thinking so much of himself, Cat and Cato?! Maybe he doesn't think they can compete by themselves!? What else could it be? It's not like Orlando is a terrible city to live in !
You're all splitting hairs here. The fact is both players are whining in order to play/or not to play on the team they want. All this talk about whose "right" it is to b!tch and moan are technical arguments used to justify whichever player you guys would rather have on the team. The real question is: "Do we want the guy who quit on his team mid-season and refused to be part of their rebuilding effort . . . OR the guy who endured his own years of rebuilding and now wants to grow and get better with that team now that they've reached the playoffs?" The answer seems to be: "Whoever the better player is." (For the record, I haven't decided whether I like this trade [awesome superstar combo in Yao and McGrady for years to come] or not [team chemistry? defense? depth?] I guess I'll just have to wait and see.)
Rockets history. We acquired Barkley and we were automatically fitted as contenders for the title, never got further than the Conference Finals. We got Pippen and we were automatically fitted as contenders for the title and you know how that worked out. Yeah, maybe they were not as young as T-Mac but they were still very good and they were probably top 3-5 at their position at the time. T-Mac has defensive, injury and work/training-ethic issues, already mentioned by the experts, and we along with many experts are now saying with him and a very soft Yao the Rockets are automatic contenders. We'll see...
I don't fault Steve for speaking his mind, nor do I fault McGrady. If Tmac wants to be in Houston, he will be, it is entirely up to him. He holds all the cards. Steve is an emotional guy, on and off the court, remember when Rudy was fired...errr....retired? Who can blame Steve for wanting to be on a winner, he has always worn his heart on his sleave. Sure, it would be better if he came out and said he would "Show Houston" by taking Orlando to the playoffs, but maybe he doesn't really believe he is capable. Just let the dust settle and we will see how it is.....Steve is just voicing his opinion....no harm in that, it is a business after all. DD
Clyde Drexler? The team with Barkley was right there, if he hadn't gotten injured. I don't have regrets about that one. Pippen, I have regrets about. But if you count all 3 deals, the championship rate was 33%. I'll take those odds.
