True, but you can also make the argument that due to his poor shot selection, poor work ethic, and general laziness, T-Mac isnt the type of leader the rockets need. Pretty soon, this will be Yao's team, and Manu complements Yao MUCH better than Tmac does. I dont think Manu's fg% would be lower with the Rockets. He wont take bad shots if he doesnt have to. Tmac, on the other hand, will take at least 4 a game. Keep in mind that Manu's basketball IQ is, in my opinion, much higher than Tmac's. Very good role player? Manu is all-star caliber. And he's willing to penetrate. Can you imagine how much better the rockets would be with Yao posting up, Manu cutting through the lane, and Miller spotting up for the 3?
You're extremely delirious, we have an extremely capable of making smart moves and the only time he would think of this trade is in his nightmares. And no, Manu isn't all star caliber.
It is arguable that T-Mac can put this team over the top, but he is still a proven #1 option who has led this team to 3 50+ win seasons. And while his shot selection is poor, he is one of the best decision makers as a playmaker in the league. His bball IQ is very high. Yao hasn't played more than 57 games since 2004-2005, the team clearly plays much better when Yao is out compared to when T-Mac is out, and as we saw last year Yao is still pretty much just a low post scorer (cannot play the high post effectively, not a great passer out of the low post ala TD, very TO prone still, still has trouble beating fronting defenses, simply did not show up in the clutch many times). All of this points to him simply not being #1 option material, and as he is reaching his 30's and his injuries already being a major concern, it is even more prevelent. I highly question if Yao will ever truly be ready to take over this team. Manu's ability to penetrate is very overrated. He never has to face the kind of double teams that superstars do, thus he often has only one man to beat getting to the rim. T-Mac often times has to be 2-3 guys just to get to the rim. And despite that fact, 72% of Manu's FGA are jumpers compared to 80% for T-Mac...not a big difference considering Manu has much more oppertunity to get into the lane than T-Mac. And as we have seen the last 2 years with Yao down, what makes this offense click is T-Mac attractin double and triple teams and making the perfect play to get his teammates wide open shots. Manu has never shown he can control a game like T-Mac. He may put up nice stats on the Rockets and may do some things better than T-Mac, but where T-Mac is so valuable to the Rockets is controlling the game and getting everyone wide open shots. Manu simply has never shown this ability, and even with Mike Miller I doubt the Rockets would be better off without T-Mac making the plays for everyone.
why? i have no idea. ask clutch or whoever the admin of this site is. and my congrats to you for your precious MEMBER status.
Theres no point for me to contradict you if you're going to do it yourself... Whats the sense in referencing the Rockets' record w/o Tmac? Its irrelevant to the conversation. Yao may not be a great passer, but he's perfectly capable. Also, if we have better shooters, then opposing teams will be less likely to double team Yao. Simply put, Manu + 10 million in cap space is more effective than Tmac. Especially if that 10 million can get a player like Mike Miller. This has already been addressed. Like Manu, Tmac primarily faces single coverage.
I think it doesn't matter how many post you have. You can have 2,000 and still be a rookie, and you can have 40 posts and you may be a member. It depends on what type of poster you are. Actually DD is Contributing Member and he still thinks we should. But yes, I agree.
I agree with you partly, but he isn't that much of an idiot, he just chooses to stay ignorant. Also i don't think i ever heard a rockets fan call our streak a fluke before so don't take him too seriously bro.
I didn't contradict myself...as a playmaker (i.e. ballhandler and passer) he is extremely efficient and smart, moreso than Manu. The point in referencing their record without T-Mac is to show that the offense struggles without T-Mac because he is the leader of the offense...he controls the tempo and gets everyone wide open shots. If we shift offensive control to Yao, we simply won't be very successful. He is still too one dimensional of a scorer, and has not shown the passing ability to be able to consistently create for others ala Duncan, KG and Shaq in his prime when Kobe played 2nd fiddle. TO's, stamina and yearly 20-30 games missed are also major concerns. As for having better shooters, the only position which will effect double teams on Yao is PF. To prevent double teaming and fronting, Scola has to develop a more consistent midrange shot. Battier is aleady a terrific 3pt shooter, defenses never leave T-Mac even if he is having a crappy shooting night from downtown, and we are not gonna find a much better 3pt shooter at the PG position on the market than Rafer (Ford, Andre Miller...none are as good of 3pt shooters).
Comments like this dont contribute to the thread. But tell you what. Lets assume I am an idiot. How about you and I both take IQ tests? Loser pays winner $500. And if you want, if the winner wins by more than 1 standard deviation, the pot is doubled. Hows that sound?
wekko is not an idiot...I don't agree with some of his stances but he knows his stuff and is prety well-spoken.
You did contradict yourself. Bad shot selection is not indicative of good decision making and a high basketball IQ. If we are comparing Tmac to Manu as players, its irrelevant to bring in the Rockets' record w/o Tmac. Tell that to Hakeem. Otis Thorpe couldnt hit a jumper to save his life. He's doubled and shaded BRIEFLY. The 2nd defender normally runs back to the guy he was originally guarding. He's doubled for maybe 2 seconds. You make it seem like he's doubled for 16 of the 24 seconds on the shot clock.
