Bear, an very? You would be more successful to play on Mango's compassion rather than question his intelligence. Mango is a respected poster around here, because he constructs coherent posts. about the trade: McGrady is looking for $9M. He is not worth that amount. He will look for other avenues to make that wage, i.e. marketing. Can Houston match Chicago in its adoration for sports heroes? Probably not. With our obligations to Shandon at the 2, don't you think that there needs to be a pure shooter that offers some defense at the 3? That is Walt. He creates the spacing that a player like McGrady requires. McGrady offers no sum gain. In fact, to trade for him would entail regression. we don't need no stinkin' players. ------------------
Toronto Raptures!!!! I love it!!!! Could someone start a website, start a petition, lets get this name in the league. I read somewhere that Raptors are upset that Toronto is using their name anyway. ------------------ I had amnesia once or twice. [This message has been edited by BobFinn* (edited April 27, 2000).]
Mobely can't be part of any McGrady deal since both are free agents. Carlos Rogers still has his family in Toronto so maybe include him in the deal too if they want. Walt + Los + KT + Bryce + #9 = McGrady + #21 ...Use #21 to draft a 4/5 like Harvey or N'Diyae or Collier or McClintock. Also can sign a free agent 4 like Jelani McCoy or Adonal Foyle.
The two leading franchises (and, by a humungous margin) in the sweepstakes for McGrady's services if the Raptors (sorry, Raptures ... I kinda like that too) can't resign him are: Chicago and Orlando Don't underestimate the ability of Krause to cajole, cheat, bargain, sell, promise to "build an entire team around" and PAY for someone he REALLY,REALLY wants. Don't underestimate the eight or so Orlando free agents that have to be resigned (some with promises and agreements already) for next season. Don't underestimate what the value of the Raptures progressing to the playoffs (and maybe into the second round) will do to the possibility of McGrady staying a Raptor. ......................... PS: Lighten up a bit Bear. You have to expect some criticism when initially posting here. Especially with a subject that has been rehashed, jammed, supported, ridiculed and generally discussed once every two or three days. PPS: If someone's spelling ability were a gauge for credibility on this forum we would be hard pressed to find any intelligent life here at all. [This message has been edited by popeye (edited April 27, 2000).]
Bear, Read well? I was the person who pointed out the use of "Raptures" and then the sudden switch to "Raptors". That was never explained and it seemed more than just a random typo. Mistakes? I have had plenty of typos and have gone in to edit my posts because of them or because the wording seems stilted. If the Admins of this BBS expected the posters to get it perfect on the first shot, they wouldn't provide the ability to edit. After a poster has established some type of track record (trend), the rest of the posters are able to project his/her: 1. inside knowledge of the NBA and Rockets 2. typical reponses to threads (example: Francis3 likes K Martin) 3. tendencies in posting times 4. other posters they feud with for fun and some they are allied with (example: Mango and TheFreak will be in alliance against Dreamshake, yet all are still friends when the debate has concluded) There are posters who use marginal language and others who wouldn't dare because it is against their nature. Posters who will holler about spelling far worse than I will (read "Achebe"). Posters who are often sarcastic (TheFreak and Mango) and some who give facts while very seldom displaying humor (grummett). I am known to be too serious and sarcastic. If we were all the same, there wouldn't be any fun on this BBS. Now back to this trade you mentioned. You have a low number of posts and have proposed a scenario with some detail provided. Some new posters have come to this BBS, provided trade scenarios and claimed that they have "knowledge" it would happen. Very seldom have they been accurate and they often seem to disappear. We don't know if you have inside knowledge or just thought it was a possibility and started a thread with it. If some idea is proposed and it is not feasible, it will get shot down because this BBS has some sharp people and they hate when the message board is filled with posts discussing the impossible. Davo,heypartner, aelliott, Dreamshake and others try to keep things on track. My take on your trade proposal is that it is your own idea and not based on some inside knowledge with the Rockets. 1. You have your email address listed and are actively soliciting our responses to this scenario. Someone with inside contact might throw the basic idea out to us, but hard to imagine them asking us to email them with our thoughts. 2. If the Rockets have yet to make contact with T-Mac's agent and the Raptors about this trade, how can they know what it would take to get the Raptors to signoff on it? 3. Why would T-Mac want to come to Houston? I can't think of any reason. 4. The Rockets would be giving away too much talent and the swap in draft spots is the killer. If the Rockets want to do a monster trade for a difference maker, they can do better than T-Mac. 5. The money part doesn't work out as you said. Reread JuanValdez's post and then try to refute it. 6. Difference maker? T-Mac is good with loads of potential, but if he was a true difference maker, the Knicks wouldn't be up 2-0 in the series. I will close with a question for you. Did you hear this trade scenario from a reliable source within the Rockets organization? Mango ------------------ The Serious Police are watching Donate Blood
2 problems: 1. The draft is before free agency, and negotiating with TMac before the draft is illegal. Each team would have to draft a player the other team needs by coincidence. 2. That is saying goodbye to Mobley, because you no longer have a starting spot for him. Only even consider this deal if Mobley bolts, if not use the exception on a 4 or 5.
Achebe, I don't agree with your assement of McGrady's impact on the Rockets at all. Being so long and athletic, he would help us develop a smothering defense--both by providing the best weak side shot-blocking of any small forward in the league, but also by allowing us not to have to double team the better swingmen in the league. If you watched last night, the Knicks went after Carter on defense in crunch time, not McGrady. McGrady is also a good rebounder for position (this is always one of our problems) and a terrific finisher of plays that Francis will likely set up. Yes Walt can shoot better than him, but that is it, and given our guards can generate offense by themselves, these other factors are way more important to our future success. That said, I don't know how likely it would be we can get him. I would think Mobley (our highest valued guy we would consider trading) would have to be the meat of the deal plus picks or other players. If we could get away with keeping Mobley, I would trade Los or Walt, Drew + the 9 pick + future 1st rounder in a heartbeat for Tracy McGrady. Call him a super-role player in the mold of Pippen (hopefully without the panzi factor), he doesn't have to be an offensive superstar for us. ------------------
