Ok, so I want HONEST imput. Those who hate the trade try to think that TMac and Yao will be injury free this year, and give honest imput Those who like the trade try to see Swift as someone who gave the same contributions as Battier and now we are down Gay and depth. Will this team be better then our team of two years ago, cant count last year due to injury. Remember, even if you think yes, we still were a first round defeat that year, and even with a healthy JHO, we probably dont go much past Dallas that year. My honest assesment is that the Rox are less athletic, shorter on depth, have a HUGE whole at Power Foward, and its backup, the Backup C department and depth in general is a glaring problem. TMac becomes the ONLY person on this team that can create his own shot, and our team is incredibly slow. We have no legitimate growth or future in this team right now. TMac and Yao alone make this a 45 win team automatically (if uninjured) but lets not forget that TMac is coming off of major back issues, Yao with a broken foot also. We are 1 injury away from being lottery bound again. My prediction is that San Antonio, Dallas, Denver, Phoenix are all definately better then us as it stands. With the Clippers, and Sactown probably giving us fits for a better record. Dont count out the Wolves either, and lets not forget that the Jazz ended up with far more wins than us last year. My prediction...AND yes its early, if things stand pat...Rox finish with a 45-47 wins and at best a 6 or 7 seed in the playoffs
The Rockets have decided they need to win now, and they've traded a promising young player to do so. So I'll be very dissapointed if we don't win at least 50 games.
With Yao and T-Mac playing all 82 games, we'd probably be a 55 win team, but I doubt T-Mac will play every game so I'm guessing 45-50.
(no edit, sorry) I'm slightly in favor the trade. Let's say cautiously optimistic. That said, there's no way Battier and Swift are an equal swap in terms of value. Battier is a much better player. If that wasn't the case, obviously this would be a terrible trade.
I think the Rockets have something up their sleeves to help our depth and I think if all is healthy under 50 wins would be a dissapointment.
Without significant injury time to McGrady or Yao, this team is at least as good as the 2004-05 team. Therefore, I would be suprised to see less than 55 wins.
where's the 55-60 option? we're a playoff team that can get in the low 50s for wins, but i think that's why a lot of us are not happy with the trade. i don't think we're a contender right now so the trade seems like a bad move. if we were just a Shane Battier away I'd be okay with the trade. Unfortunately, I believe we're more like two quick/athletic players away and a Shane Battier away from contending.
