It was a year ago when the rumors started. The fantasy scenario dreamt up by many of Rocket fans was coming true. TMac was coming to Houston. It was a few days before last year's draft that news broke of a deal nearly finalized between the Rockets and Magic sending, every Rocket fan's wet dream, Tracy McGrady to town to pair with arguably the next dominant center. We waited semi-patiently, taking in every inch of news, and didn't sleep right until we knew that it was FINALLY done. So, my question for you, where were you when you first heard that the deal was finalized and what was your first reaction? Me? My wife and I were driving to San Antonio for the weekend and I had the radio on SportsRadio 610 from the start. I remembered that it was posted in here that it was going to be done that day so I anxiously awaited every sports flash. My wife was getting sick of the constant sports talk, she usually likes to listen to her Shania Twain CDs on a long drive. We were starting to get out of range for the station and was about to pass throug a HEAVY thunderstorm, so the signal was getting a little staticky. And then it happened. They broke in and announced the deal was done and, as soon as he was wrapping the update up, we lost the signal. I found out just seconds before complete static. I felt more relieved than anything. I had a smile on my face but breathed a HEAVY sigh of relief. My wife was celebrating, lol! She knew the month long chaos was over and that she was getting her husband back. So, what about you?
I dont know about the Tmac thing, but I definitely remember the draft lottery where we go Yao Ming. I was helping out my dad at one of his stores and had a little hand held tv. I was watching and waiting while trying to help some dorky customers who kept interupting me. When the Rockets name was not announced on the sixth spot my heart skipped a beat. Then it was not announced third or second either!!! I was jumping and hollering like a madman and all the customers were wondering what the hell was wrong with me. That was freakin awesome!!!!!
When we won the draft lottery, I was in Lahore, Pakistan. I remember hearing it on ESPN World. As for TMAC, don't remember.
However much you were jumping and hollering like a madman, it was nothing compared to what Jeff was doing in chat......dude was going Artest in there that day
on the tmac trade, i was here in front of the pc, hittin the refresh button every single damned second. my mouse's left clicker got broken coz of it. im not playin. and im replying to all the threads about the tmac thread while my tv's on to espn on full blast waiting, patiently waiting for the deal to be official. when it did, it felt like a bag full of bricks was lifted from my chest! i was jumpin up and down as usual... for the yao draft.... i was in the philippines back then. and sad to say, i wasnt aware that time that the draft was on, and when i switched to espn, right on cue, stern announced that we drafted yao ming. as usual, i jumped up and down with joy...
When the T-MAC deal became final, I was at work checking out the 2000+ posts thread... Ever since the news broke, I went to bed hours later than I normally do to check if there was any new development. I still vividly remember all my excitement, anxiety, disappointment and final relief. I can't believe it's almost a year now
I remember John Weisboro holding up the deal and make me mad as hell. I always believe the deal will happen because TMac insists of coming to Houston for Yao Ming.
Oh NO I won't! This, more than anything else, tempted me to become a SF "hater." More than all of the boneheaded plays and decisions he made. I was in his corner until near the end and was one of the last to realize we had to trade him. Then, when the T-Mac rumors started, I didn't take them seriously, especially after reading what the Suns (Joe Johnson, Shawn Marion plus something) and Pacers (Artest plus a lot) were offering. Upon reflection (and the fact the trade actually happened), my anger at SF went away. I still follow the Magic very closely because of him.
I was putting up my Jon Weisbrod portrait on the wall, and taking out my darts, most likely, glued to the computer and ESPNEWS 24/7.
i was vigorously banging a power dancer and when she told me the breaking news.. ok nvm.. in the car driving home....
I was up the night before so when I got out of bed LATE, I got to hear the news here... It was great...
I was just at my computer for the T-Mac thing. Since that thing was so drawn out, it's hard to think of a particular moment. When we won the draft lottery I jumped up and down, screaming like a madman, and ended up bashing my head on the ceiling.
I was lucky enough to get confirmation about the trade before it was announced. I thought I mentioned it here, but I'm not too sure about that anymore, maybe it was just a chat. Wasn't too happy about it because I was never a fan of T-Mac. I always thought of him as a highly talented player that didn't know how to get the best out of his talents, to this day I won't defend him as a Magic and I never will. However, with proper coaching (JVG compared to all the other guys that coached him? NOT EVEN CLOSE!) he proved to be capable of using his talent the right way, one more year of him learning and breaking more bad habits, the Rockets will be as unstoppable as he is.
