With everything that is going on so far in this McGrady/Francis trade, I am curious to get the pulse of this board as the situation stands now. ESPN's reporters say the deal is about done and will go through. Other newspaper sources claim there is a snag in the deal and the Magic are STILL soliciting offers for McGrady. At this juncture of the process what does your heart tell you? Will this deal go down, yes or no?
BTW, I am personally having my doubts right now about the deal going through. But I cant bring myself to click "no". Sad!
I said no, just because I always expect the worst. I hope and pray it goes through, but it's not looking good.
I put yes. Florida Today was the most "doomsday", making it sound like Orlando wasn't willing to work with Houston anymore. But I think McGrady holds all the cards. If someone sells him on another destination, we're in trouble. Otherwise I think this gets done. If the word "McGrady" is the headline on the Rockets official site, I think that is a clearly calculated move. It would be out of character if it wasn't going to happen (meaning just "trade talks"). Too big of a risk for them. Under league rules, are they even allowed to announce the trade (the teams I mean) right now? I don't know.
Clutch. Thanks for the post. You make good points about the McGrady mention on the Rockets official site. But your counter point is the same one I have fears on. I fear that someone else (Jermaine Oneal, Stoudamire etc) will sell him on another destination and he will revise his preferred desitnations from JUST Houston to Houston, Indiana and Phoenix. I think we are in trouble. We just have to hope that McGrady has resolve here and believes in the future of him and Yao together. There have been a lot of great pieces on the potential of the two over the last day on ESPN. Hopefully he was watching!
I put yes because TMac wants to play with a quality big man. All those other teams do not have a quality skilled center like Yao. Tmac wants to play with Yao, he has seen the future. And so it will be !!! DD
It all comes down to McGrady now. We may not think it, but the Suns offer is the best thing for the Magic, period. Almost all the GMs in the league fell that our trade is loppsided and I think that the Magic are starting to think that too. Whether Steve would have said something or not, the Suns (or whatever team) would have put out a newer or better offer anyways. The Magic would be wise to atleast listen to these offers, which is the scary part. PLEASE, LET THIS END!! My life is revolving my computer!!
Shawn Marion and Casey Jacobsen and the number 7 is NOT better than Steve, Cat and Cato. This is arguably the weakest draft in years, and Marion is a good player but I would not trade Steve and Cat for him. The Magic get a much better deal with the Rockets.....IMHO.
You're right... but I wonder if those big men have the ability to sell a potential 1.2 billion people extra watching their games. The chance to be a superstar alongside Yao is a golden one - couple the marketing potential of China with McGrady's extremely high popularity in the States and this is a big win-win for T-Mac. Not to mention Houston has a strong coaching situation, no state income taxes, great franchise history and good weather. I think it will happen. We'll see.
Yeah, but the core of the problem is SF stated publicly that he don't want to play for Magic. They have to find the third team to make the extra deal. Damn, I was sad when I knew SF was going to be traded, but now I am just furious that Rox could end up with total mess.
Great selling points! And I hope those are points that CD and T-Mac's agent, Arn Tellem, have discussed with T-Mac EXTENSIVELY! You make some good BUSINESS points here. There are aspects beyond the basketball court that are of issue. Those points are points that T-Mac might not see on his own so we ALL have to hope that they were FULLY discussed with him.
thanks, another site to refresh...i'm going to have to have IT bring me another laptop to keep up with all this refreshin'.
I voted no for this reason. We are too vulnerable to a better deal. Because every second that ticks by these things become less likely when a solid deal is announced for all the good PR and feeling. I think for the Rockets to put what they did on the website indicates they were 99% sure. But I sense a big jilting feeling. Why because the Orlando BB people would be hard pressed not to make a better deal if possible and it is possible. The longer we wait the more likely something better comes along. Look at it this way, if Orlando feels this is the best offer. this deal would have been done and I think it would be leaked or announced the way it has been so public. Why the delay unless the deal is growingly shakey. A deal that goes from solid to shakey is very vulnerable to change. I hope we get McGrady.
Exactly. I hope so. I think losing out on those perks and advantages is yet another reason that Francis and his agents are so upset. They flat out lose money-making potential, on top of All-Star appearances. This is very big for them. That's crap about the "wanting to play on a winner" thing. Why Seattle and Washington then? Because they're legit contenders? The only MAJOR difference between the current Rockets and the proposed Magic is Orlando would have Okafor instead of Yao. Steve would still have Mobley and Cato, as well as Gooden, Okafor and potentially Grant Hill.
Indiana appears to be out of the running. 610 reports that the pacers website says bird says they're out. I just don't see Tmac wanting to play in Phoenix, if he really wants to win.
I agree Clutch minus the good weather, I think you and I love the Austin weather too much to remember how hot and humid our beloved Houston can get
I don't doubt that there compelling reasons for T-Mac to want to come to Houston. What worries is me is that the Magic might find compelling reasons (a perceived better deal, the Francis situation) not to deal with Houston. It seems like T-Mac only wants to sign an extension here, but that hasn't stopped other teams from pursuing a deal (Phoenix, etc.) Maybe one of them will temporarily lose their minds and deal for T-Mac without a guarantee he'd be with them longer than one year? Stranger things have happened. But hey -- Clutch knows more than I do and he's still optimistic. That, at least, makes me feel better.
