In 6-7 years Yao will be 33-34? How many giants (7'4+) have you seen last that many years? He's already starting to break down now. I'm pretty sure McGrady and Yao both have a good 4 years or so in them at least. By all indications McGrady has been getting healthier since that 05-06 series. He's stayed on the court, he's in much better game shape than he was in 06-07, and he's coming off of his best playoff series since Dallas in '04-'05. His back has been a non-factor, chances are that next season will be better than the prior two for him. I'm not following the ideology behind those saying trade Tracy. Exactly how would that help? You're suggesting we trade the player that's the difference between us winning 65% of our games and 20%. What young players would mature quick enough to help Yao before he starts declining? What prime player could McGrady net us that would contribute as much as he does to this team? How exactly would the Rockets survive when Yao inevitably goes down for ~10 games? Another argument I've seen are "when adversity comes around, McGrady disappears." Who in their right mind would make that argument? Remind me again, who showed up in our do or die game? How do people have the audacity to rip McGrady's playoff performances, but then give Scola and Battier props for theirs on the other side of the token. It's counterintuitive. Trading McGrady would bite us in the ass; there's no reason to do it. Those who disregard the extraneous circumstances behind the prior 2 first round losses are only fooling themselves. McGrady was the Rockets in Dallas in 05. McGrady wasn't out of game shape in '06-07 and Yao was a shadow of himself going into the playoffs thanks to injury. In '07-08 Yao wasn't even on the court. You can choose to disregard the facts behind these losses, or you can believe that things will change next season. The biggest factor now for the Rockets success is *not* whether or not McGrady will be on the court next season, because looking at the past 2 years he will be. The big question is whether Yao will stay healthy after the injury he faced this season and the Olympic commitment. That's what's between this team and success. Please don't get it twisted.
How about you provide some substantial facts behind your claim instead of attempting to pass off opinion as fact. It's people like you who cause problems around here.
this season, tmac has proven he's very mentally tough. nobody can put up 27, 8, 7 when people have dissed you all over the place in the media, playing without your starting center and PG. a weak guy doesn't will his team back in the first half despite being down by 19 halfway through the 2nd. most teams would quit (remember kobe in game 7 v. phoenix a few yrs ago). sure he's TRUTHFUL when he talks, but please, don't ever mention him with lack of heart any longer.
I was thinking about Portland. Oden is supposed to be an extraordinary defender, maybe even a younger version of Deke with offense? so he will be a perfect fit for Tmac. As Tmac gets older, Oden can be the No.1 guy and I don't have a problem with that.
Whether or not it's a free country is irrelevant. You haven't provided anything substantial behind your claims outside of opinion. That's tantamount to libel - no one wants to see that crap. At the very least Rocket River has some type of ideology behind his reasoning. There's a distinct line between what others who want him traded have been saying and you.
tmac for iverson would make the nuggets a whole lot better. they get more size on the perimeter so they will no longer have to help out with their midget guards -> defense improves. tmac is a much better playmaker than iverson -> melo will improve. and tmac's size allows him to make passes than iverson couldn't. more importantly, you can put tmac/melo on both sides of the court for post ups. tmac for howard/stack/picks can bring the mavs to a whole other level tmac tor nash would make the suns go to another level b/c now they can play halfcourt. nash was clueless when he played the spurs at times when they tried to go to halfcourt. he'll make shaq a better player simply b/c shaq will get more touches. amare-tmac pick and roll, forget about it. plus, they get better defensively b/c of more size. but houston would get worse. i'm not gonna agree to trades that make us worse. unless i can get lebron or 2-3 players who fill 2-3 positions, i ain't giving up tmac.
That last message was for T.Mcgrady. But where was he the second half. Im not saying the guy gave up. im saying the guy is just not the warrior type player the rockets need to beat physical teams. Scola Battier Yao landry are warriors Mcgrady is not in my popino. He is pure talent with no heart
T-mac for Aldridge or Brandon Roy [longshot] and their #1 Pick? Who else they have .. Channing Fry and Travis Outlaw [to fit the cap] Rocket River
Dont try to single me out dumb a** like i said im just putting my opion. You dont need facts. what is there is there i dont have to sit here and look for little facts. Its visible to the eye that mcgrady is what he is. LIke i said if you dont like what i put then dont read it fool
I almost forgot about it. Since the AI, Shaq, Kid didn't work out, those three teams may look to trade too. I have to say that I love all three of your scenarioes.
kobe was 1-6 in the 4th quarter tonight v. utah and 2-8 overall in the 2nd half. what's a warrior? he was playing with 2 injuries to his shoulder AND knee. he was never 100% healthy after he came back from the knee. and he still put up #s that only the greats can: 27, 8, 7. what's your definition of a warrior i would like to know?
tmac may not try on defense all the time, but the size alone that he brings make us a better defensive team and those teams will go to another level defensively. with tmac's size and since he plays at the SG position, he can swithc so easily with a SF or PF on defensive matchups. the reason denver sucks defensivel simply b/c they play iverson AND carter, two 6-1 midgets. you're not gonna play defense when you have to help all the time to the perimeter.
say you get aldridge + #1 pick. you're gonna give the blazers a potential lineup of: roy tmac outlaw frye oden are you really serious rocket river? we're not trying to help another western team here.
Let me think on this one. T-Mac and Mello - Honestly - I think the defensive improvement would be marginal . . . but it would definately improve [could not get worse] - I dunno if the offense improves in a George Karl system - T-Mac would still be a jump shooter .. when he on . .they on .. but he does not goto the basket as much as AI. This of course is a one sided trade. oh wait .. you taking Josh Howard? Dirk, T-Mac, Kid, - does their defense improve? Interior Offense? T-mac and Dirk on the same team . . . 2 out of 5 of your players are jumpshooters and another one is Kidd who's jump shot is very shaky and his defense is weak against speedier guys Erick Dampier - offensively . . .Kevin Cato 2.0 Interesting. T-mac and Amare would be a good combination. Would require a whole offensive change Nash is defensively weaker than T-mac [do their salaries match or would phoenix have to give some more] Barbosa, T-mac, Grant Hill, Amare, Shaq - Potent Possible the best place for T-mac Rocket River
i don't want that to happen if i was houston. both guys are 6'8 playing the SG/SF positions. that's a nightmare waiting to happen. i have no doubt denver would catapult to the top 2-3 of the league with that duo. people don't understand how much talent denver have. their guards are just too small. they improve that with some better coaching, they'll go to another level.
I think not. I think I would insist on Roy I have not seen enough of Oortland to say what else i would want but they are definately in need of Veteran leadership QUESTION: Does the squad you put their get out of the 1st round next year? For hypothetical sake. . who of the 1st round winners this year would that team have beaten? Rocket River
i don't think george karl would be the coach if tmac arrives. tmac is more of a half-court player and george karl doesn't know a lick about half-court offense. i wouldn't be surprised if tmac goes there, JVG would want to coach denver. then their defense wouldn't be a problem would it? ray, pierce, and garnett are all perimeter players basically. tmac/kidd/dirk would be better than those 3. and i'm sure you still have a guy terry off the bench. kidd taking the pressure off of tmac's ballhandling -> see how rafer helps and kidd is better at playmaking. the suns are talking about moving towards more of a half-court game. that means nash will not be very useful. a nash-tmac rumor would be interesting though, but i'd doubt we'll give up tmac for a 35-yr old PG who got embarrassed by tony parker straight up.
