First, I think KG is a better player than TMac, I'd build a team with KG than TMac. That being said, but KG is not an inside force like Yao, or great outside player like TMac, I call him an in-between offensive player. I think TMac's game mesh with Yao's game better because he has more range, can spread the floor more for Yao. If both are health, I won't make the trade. But giving TMac's back problem, I'd have to do the trade now, just because KG is a better player, IMO.
I'm sorry to say it, but we should make that trade, if there's any truth to it. KG gives you more assists and a ton of rebounds. Put him in the high post to pass, wherever on the floor. We'd kick a**. Tracy McGrady, if healthy, is great, and we all miss the real Tracy, but he's been gun-shy about taking it to the basket. He just stands out there shooting threes. Psychologically, even when healthy, that won't likely change. You could use those two lottery picks to bolster the shooting guard and small forward spots. We have Vaselinus Spoogopolis arriving (maybe) for backup point guard. Do you play KG at the 4? Trade Stro + a pick for a real small forward who can shoot from the outside. Draft Mardy Collins because he can D and pass. Lot of options.
There are only 2 players in the NBA I would trade TMac for: KG and Lebron. I love TMac, but with that said, I am extremely worried about his back. His back has been bothering him ever since he's come into the league, he's got the back of a 35 year old and he is only 26, I don't think it is ever going to be 100%. KG/Yao would be the ultimate 2-headed monster, I don't see a single team that could stop that dual. Surround them with shooters and it would be over.
I agree. KG would be able to play high-low with Yao. Teams would not double off our power forward anymore because he can hit the jumper with more consistency than Juwan. He's just so versatile offensively. We could plug in shooters and penetrator's with MLE and draft picks. Our defense would be absolutely scary. KG would cover up all of Yao's and many other players' defensive weaknesses. I agree about Tmac's reluctance to take it to the rack. Even when he was relatively healthy last year, he still didn't go very often to the basket during the regular season. He obviously played balls-out in the playoffs, but I'd rather have a guy who doesn't have to worry about hurting himself through the grind of a long season.
I see Bucher is 'pulling a Stephen A. Smith' throwing a rumor out there out of his arse just to get people talking, and may be the whole thing would become a self-fulfilling prophecy and it would actually happen (kinda like how the whole "Artest for Peja" thing went down). I call BS on this. I can see Minny doing it if they truly feel like KG will force their hands into a trade this offseason...their best option then will be to trade him to NYK for Marbury and other trash (which won't help them at all), or trade to the Lakers for Odom and trash (which won't help as well), or just try to trade him away for expiring contracts and rebuild from zero -- at this point they might as well fold the entire franchise and move from Minny. I think if Minny will trade KG, they definitely won't get a much better player in return than T-Mac or Pierce...the other strong possibility would be inquiring about a straigh-up "Shaq for KG" trade that pairs KG with Wade down in Miami for the future and gives Minny at least someone that they can market and sell tickets off his back while having a dominant enough player to make the playoffs for the next 3-4 years...while KG can't carry Minny by himself into the playoffs for two years running now, Shaq is dominant enough and easy enough to play with that he will make Minny a playoff team. So, not many positive scenarios for Minny if KG requests a trade...a trade for McGrady or a Pierce might be the best offer on the table.
You know what, I've seen KG play a few times this season live and I have to say, I'm not very satisified with his performance. In fact, some sports critics out there agree with me that KG's game has diminished during the last two seasons and after seeing him play, I'd have to agree. He's not an aggressive guy that can anchor the team. At this stage in his career, he'd rather go for the spot up midrange jumper than play low post. And he's more likely than not will pass out of a double team rather than go through it. He's had trouble creating his own shots and depends largely on his teammates getting him the ball at the right time. Basically he's like an upgrade of Juwan Howard except with a little more consistent shooting and better rebounds. Honestly, we don't need a guy like that. We need a TMAC player who can draw double teams consistently and create his own shots and cause defensive matchup problems. KG peaked two to three years ago and he's just about on his way down. At this rate, I'd give him another 2 to 3 years of solid performance before he becomes just another scrub. Too much wear and tear of the years can really mess a guy up. My thoughts are, if you're going to trade TMAC, trade for a player like him if they're out there. Otherwise, keep him and see how he responds to treatment.
why are some people saying something like "i'd take kg only because of t-mac's back"? as if tmac is really that much better than kg?! kg beats t-mac in every major category. his only setback is his age. he'll be 30 this summer.
its funny. some people wouldn't do this deal while mcgrady's getting shots in his back. even more ridiculous. no way minnesota would make this trade at this point, and they probably wouldn't if t-mac had a clean bill of health.
Man, KG is not better than TMAC in every major category. He's been healthy all season and look at his stats. They're still consistent with 21.5 pts, 12.4 rebs, and 4.2 ast but nothing too special that blows you away. And if he's slowed down considerably this past season and has trouble creating his own shots. He's been playing really passive and relies a lot on his teammates getting his set up. A healthy TMAC is 2x better than KG at this point.
Wow. Just Wow. I have never been so dreadful of visiting clutchfans as much as I have in the last week. All this bandwagon buffoonery is disgusting what with the constant criticism of our team from top to bottom. I even caught a thread talking about Yao's lack of Stamina in the 2nd half of games? Injuries suck, people. And EVERYBODY on our squad with preseason importance has lost significant time due to injury. A healthy Tracy McGrady has the ability to be one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The only other swingman in the league with his game is Kobe. And I like Neo's versatility (size/quickness). You Jokers do realize that with T-Mac in the line-up this year, we're in with the elite. Substitute KG for Tracy? Well, let's just say that if you're not enjoying this year's brickfest, a KG and Yao frontline would've exposed our lack of perimeter shooting even more. T-Mac turns the impossible into legendary moments. Tracy is far from the problem ladies and gentlemen. Give me a shooter SG who actually knocks down open jumpers, a more consistent Skip, and a non-underachieving PF . . . With that were favorites for a long time. I hope somebody of any significance can relay the fact that some of us haven't given up on Tracy McGrady. Some of us are still in his corner and wish him to get well. And some of us will be proud to say we never stopped supporting one of our stars when he finally gets back on the court and dominates once again. Let's Go Rockets.
2 times better? please. would you say t-mac was healthy last season, given he played 78 games? compare his last season numbers with kg's. or you can compare their career averages in every category if you want. i know stats don't speak the whole story, but they speak a bunch. some people are more of rockets fan than just a player's fan.
KG is too unselfish and he will kill you late in games b/c he would rely too much on the roleplayer regardless if they suck or not. Just watch a few of his game and you guys will see. I rather have a 80-90% healthy T-Mac that would take over and close out the game. I think the trade-off here is fair. An aging KG that is almost at the end of his prime is equal to T-Mac having a bad back(could be better by next season) and is only 26 yrs old.
you people who criticize others for asking to trade t-mac as bandwagoners, what would happen if one day rockets win the championship without t-mac? would you then root for the team or hate it for not having t-mac? just like when some fans were not happy when francis was traded. t-mac came along and proved his worth and won most fans over. reality sucks but i rather see rockets grab another championship than feel sorry for trading any player. even if we trade mcgrady, how do you know he won't enjoy his new team or prevail there? you gotta do what works. gosh i'm so tired of reading these posts calling people bandwagoners.
Kevin Garnett 21.5 Ppg, 12.4 Reb, 4.2 Ast, .524 FG%, 1.25 SPG, 1.3 BLK Juwan Howard 11 Ppg, 6.6 Reb, 1.5 Ast, .451 FG%, .59 SPG, .13 BLK KG has basically double the output of Howard and this is an off year for him. How long has it been since he hasn't been the number one fantasy guy? And just to register my opinion, if that deal was on the table I'd take it in a second. I love T-Mac but these injuries/personal problems are just starting to worry me. I'd like it even more if JVG left with him. Also, I saw something on fox sports saying CD was on the way out after this season and Kiki from Denver was primed to take his place. Yao/KG with two first round lottery picks, MLE, and Swift's tradeable contract could give this team an entirely new direction.
I wouldn't trade a healthy McGrady for Garnett. Do you think an unhealthy McGrady has the ability to be one of the best? Of course we realize that. The reason to consider the trade is that we don't know now if he'll be in the lineup next year either.
