http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/5408720 <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">2. Item: Yao Ming returned from toe surgery on Jan. 30, and the Houston Rockets lost to Memphis in his first game back. But from that point on they have been 14-5, including Sunday's 88-81 loss at San Antonio. What this really means: The Rockets are only three games out of the playoffs despite the chronic absence of All-Star Tracy McGrady, and Yao is the reason. For all the criticism the 7-6 center has received in his four NBA season, the 25-year-old Yao is having a dominant season ? averaging 21.5 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.71 blocks. Since returning from the surgery, he has scored in double-figures in 19 of the 20 games, and has had double-doubles in 14 of those 20. The past 10 games have been the most dominant in his career ? averaging 27.5 points, 13.3 rebounds and 2.4 blocks. So, all of you critics calling him soft and overrated, name another center putting up numbers comparable to those. Meanwhile, the tenuous status of McGrady's back remains a huge question mark for the future of the franchise. With Carroll Dawson figuring to step down as general manager after this season, it now looks like Kiki Vandeweghe has moved into position to jump there from Denver after the season. It also says they can build around Yao and check McGrady's market value to retool a team that Jeff Van Gundy is comfortable coaching.</div> I don't know how true it is, but it is definitely very interesting.
Kiki Vandeweghe? He's made some questionable moves as GM of the Nuggets, and I'm not sure he'll be the right fit. It'll be best if Dawson doesn't leave or retire, but I've read before that his health has always been a problem and if that forces him to step down, then we should sympathize. Wonder what moves a new GM would like to make. Replacing Van Gundy? Trading away one of our big guns? It'll be an interesting offseason yet again.
Who knows, maybe Rudy T could replace him. He's held virtually every other position with the Rockets, it would make sense.
^^^^ That would be great, Rudy onced coached Yao so he knows what Yao wants and he may be able to get the players that surround Yao right.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">^^^^ That would be great, Rudy onced coached Yao so he knows what Yao wants and he may be able to get the players that surround Yao right.</div> Actually, when he coached Yao, he did the opposite. In fact, Rudy just let Francis and Mobley play run and gun style while Yao wasn't really utilized correctly either. OVERRATED, in my opinion at least.
Reading from some previous posts, I think the Rockets will go with the moneyball approach since the owner doesn't have the money to overspend. The top recruit should be Sam Presti from the San Antonio Spurs. He's young, experienced, and one of the key architects behind the current Spurs roster.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting AznxBaller:</div><div class="quote_post">Actually, when he coached Yao, he did the opposite. In fact, Rudy just let Francis and Mobley play run and gun style while Yao wasn't really utilized correctly either. OVERRATED, in my opinion at least.</div> I don't know. I thought Yao looked pretty good his first year, for a rookie. His passing skills were much better utilized than they have been with Van Gundy. Players love Rudy T, so maybe he could help Rockets draw free agents. And I hate the fact that he's working for the Lakers right now. That just doesn't sit right with me.
i hope this guy steps down.. he makes some stupid trades.. that effect us later on.. wesley for jim jackson and nachbar??.... but he only made 1 trade that i liked... t-mac trade.. but hes dumb..i hope he steps down..
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> I don't know. I thought Yao looked pretty good his first year, for a rookie. His passing skills were much better utilized than they have been with Van Gundy. Players love Rudy T, so maybe he could help Rockets draw free agents. And I hate the fact that he's working for the Lakers right now. That just doesn't sit right with me.</div> Made some pretty good points there. From the footage I've seen, Yao had more passing involved with Rudy's system than I've seen with Van Gundy. Forgot about that part, or perhaps the whole problem was Francis and Mobley rather than Rudy himself. Not sure, anyways, I agree with you on that part- he should not be working for the Lakers. Makes me disgusted. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">i hope this guy steps down.. he makes some stupid trades.. that effect us later on.. wesley for jim jackson and nachbar??.... but he only made 1 trade that i liked... t-mac trade.. but hes dumb..i hope he steps down..</div> Dude, everyone were so happy last season when we went on the run and Wesley played a big part in that. Why knock on him now? Jim Jackson certainly isn't doing anything, and neither is Nachbar.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Umair15:</div><div class="quote_post">i hope this guy steps down.. he makes some stupid trades.. that effect us later on.. wesley for jim jackson and nachbar??.... but he only made 1 trade that i liked... t-mac trade.. but hes dumb..i hope he steps down..</div> wooo! bandwagon jumpers!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Egyptian:</div><div class="quote_post">Trade McGrady? wow ungrateful people for one bad year...</div> There really is not a lot that Mcgrady has brought to the Rockets except some excitement and potential for winning the championship. The Rockets were a playoff team who lost in the first around before T-Mac, and they were no different in his first season here. There is not a lot to be grateful for. I actually would support trading T-Mac, but it is not just because he has had a bad year. With his all his injuries I wonder whether he could stay healthy for a whole season. And his contract severly limits the Rockets options. To become a contender the Rockets need a TEAM, which is far from what we have at the moment. Since the only tradeable assests we have are Yao, Mcgrady, and maybe Swift, I would be willing to part with T-Mac i order to build a team around Yao. We may not be able to get someone equal to Mcgrady's talent in return, but I would search for a trade that improves the team. Just because we do not get a player of Mcgrady's talent it does not mean we would be getting a bad deal. If we could get 2 or 3 #2 options and maybe a draft pick, I think the Rockets would be a better team. Here are some trades that would not make me miss Mcgrady: - Mcgrady for 3/5 of Charlotte's starting lineup (Okafor, Wallace, Knight) and draft pick. Knight is a great PG, Wallace is as good as Kirilenko, and Okafor would be a defensive PF the Rockets need. Maybe include Kareem Rush in the trade for his decent 3 pt shooting. - Chicago- Mcgrady for Gordon, Chandler, and their rights to the Knicks draft pick which should be very high. - Golden State- Mcgrady for Murphy, Richardson, and Pietrus or a draft pick - Clippers- Mcgrady for Kaman, Mobley, Maggette, maybe Cassell. - Lakers- Mcgrady for Odom, Smush Parker, Mihm, Brian Cook, and a draft pick - Grizzlies- Mcgrady for Gasol, Mike Miller, Battier, and Warrick. - Miami- Mcgrady for Wade - Milwaukee- Mcgrady for Redd and Bobby Simmons - Minnesota- Mcgrady and whoever we have to throw in for Garnett and Hudson. - Orlando- Mcgrady for D. Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Darko - Philadelphia- Mcgrady for Korver, AI2, and Dalembert. - Phoenix- Mcgrady for Marion, Diaw, Barbosa, and House - Seattle- Mcgrady for Rashard Lewis, Ridnour, EarlWatson, and Robert Swift (aka Powder) - Toronto- Mcgrady for Bosh and Morris Peterson. And maybe throw Swift in for Charlie Villanueva - Utah- Mcgrady for Kirilenko, Boozer, and Deron Williams I just went through almost all the teams and thought about possible trades that might improve the Rockets. In these trades we will not be getting anyone equal to Mcgrady, but I think the players would improve the team overall. We need an upgrade or depth at every position. So I would be willing to trade Mcgrady in order to do so. It would be a risk, but I think sticking with is also a risk. With all that said, my ideal situation is one where Mcgrady becomes fully healed, and the Rockets are able to upgrade the suporting cast without trading T-Mac. This seems to be a very difficult route, because Mcgrady is not getting any younger, and the Rockets have limited options when it comes to signing FA's and trades. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. I'm just a Ramblin' Man
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Lakers- Mcgrady for Odom, Smush Parker, Mihm, Brian Cook, and a draft pick</div> I would make this trade in a heartbeat if I were the Laker GM. The duo of Kobe & TMac is an upgrade over the duo of Kobe & Odom. Neither Smush or Mihm will factor in to the future of the Lakers after their current deals expire. Someone will end up overpaying for both players. Lamar Odom is a mystery from game to game. Brian Cook is a great shooter, but lousy on defense. PG - TMac SG - Kobe SF - George PF - Turiaf C - Brown
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">There really is not a lot that Mcgrady has brought to the Rockets except some excitement and potential for winning the championship. The Rockets were a playoff team who lost in the first around before T-Mac, and they were no different in his first season here. There is not a lot to be grateful for. I actually would support trading T-Mac, but it is not just because he has had a bad year. With his all his injuries I wonder whether he could stay healthy for a whole season. And his contract severly limits the Rockets options. To become a contender the Rockets need a TEAM, which is far from what we have at the moment. Since the only tradeable assests we have are Yao, Mcgrady, and maybe Swift, I would be willing to part with T-Mac i order to build a team around Yao. We may not be able to get someone equal to Mcgrady's talent in return, but I would search for a trade that improves the team. Just because we do not get a player of Mcgrady's talent it does not mean we would be getting a bad deal. If we could get 2 or 3 #2 options and maybe a draft pick, I think the Rockets would be a better team. Here are some trades that would not make me miss Mcgrady: - Mcgrady for 3/5 of Charlotte's starting lineup (Okafor, Wallace, Knight) and draft pick. Knight is a great PG, Wallace is as good as Kirilenko, and Okafor would be a defensive PF the Rockets need. Maybe include Kareem Rush in the trade for his decent 3 pt shooting. - Chicago- Mcgrady for Gordon, Chandler, and their rights to the Knicks draft pick which should be very high. - Golden State- Mcgrady for Murphy, Richardson, and Pietrus or a draft pick - Clippers- Mcgrady for Kaman, Mobley, Maggette, maybe Cassell. - Lakers- Mcgrady for Odom, Smush Parker, Mihm, Brian Cook, and a draft pick - Grizzlies- Mcgrady for Gasol, Mike Miller, Battier, and Warrick. - Miami- Mcgrady for Wade - Milwaukee- Mcgrady for Redd and Bobby Simmons - Minnesota- Mcgrady and whoever we have to throw in for Garnett and Hudson. - Orlando- Mcgrady for D. Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Darko - Philadelphia- Mcgrady for Korver, AI2, and Dalembert. - Phoenix- Mcgrady for Marion, Diaw, Barbosa, and House - Seattle- Mcgrady for Rashard Lewis, Ridnour, EarlWatson, and Robert Swift (aka Powder) - Toronto- Mcgrady for Bosh and Morris Peterson. And maybe throw Swift in for Charlie Villanueva - Utah- Mcgrady for Kirilenko, Boozer, and Deron Williams I just went through almost all the teams and thought about possible trades that might improve the Rockets. In these trades we will not be getting anyone equal to Mcgrady, but I think the players would improve the team overall. We need an upgrade or depth at every position. So I would be willing to trade Mcgrady in order to do so. It would be a risk, but I think sticking with is also a risk. With all that said, my ideal situation is one where Mcgrady becomes fully healed, and the Rockets are able to upgrade the suporting cast without trading T-Mac. This seems to be a very difficult route, because Mcgrady is not getting any younger, and the Rockets have limited options when it comes to signing FA's and trades. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramblings. I'm just a Ramblin' Man</div> I hope that it was just rambling. DONT TRADE A STAR FOR ROLE PLAYERS! You will lose the value of the star. It might get you more wins for one season, but you will regret it within the 1st/2nd year. Okay. How about this. Name me one trade where a team lost a star player and gained role players. The trade HAS to have made the team that gained the role players a better team. Now I can name you five off the top of my head where the team that gained the star became a better team, and the one that lost the star ended up with high draft picks.
I'm willing to trade T-mac ONLY, if this back problems persists till next season. I've envisioned T-mac and Yao Ming retiring together after winning an NBA championship or if not, having great playoff memories..I want T-mac here and nowhere else!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Eduardo:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm willing to trade T-mac ONLY, if this back problems persists till next season. I've envisioned T-mac and Yao Ming retiring together after winning an NBA championship or if not, having great playoff memories..I want T-mac here and nowhere else!</div> Then who would want him? And what could we get out of him besides some good role players that we will probably end up waiving. I hope T-Mac retires in Houston. Even if he is injured next season, I am willing to give him a year off, just to let him recooperate his back. That would be better than trading him for players like Korver and Dalembert. We would never get what you think we will if his back problems persist to next year.
No way in hell do we trade tracy mcgrady our best player. Yess he does get injured a lot but hes now doing a lot more things to correct that then he has ever done. Yes hes loookin like vince carter interms of injury but vince carter only had one really bad season of it like tracys this season difference between the two one plays with heart while the other tries to live off talent. Tracy Mcgrady is special and no way in hell do we trade him.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">I hope that it was just rambling. DONT TRADE A STAR FOR ROLE PLAYERS! You will lose the value of the star. It might get you more wins for one season, but you will regret it within the 1st/2nd year. Okay. How about this. Name me one trade where a team lost a star player and gained role players. The trade HAS to have made the team that gained the role players a better team. Now I can name you five off the top of my head where the team that gained the star became a better team, and the one that lost the star ended up with high draft picks.</div> All of the trades I proposed are for players that would be an upgrade over what we already have. They would not be waived, but instead they would take over a starting spot. I cannot think of a trade where a team losing a star got the better end of a trade, but that doesn't mean there has not been any. Also, just because it may not have happened in the past that does not neccessarily mean it won't happen ever. And most of those teams only traded their only superstar. The Rockets luckily have two superstars, and so could afford to trade one in order to improve the supporting cast for the reamining superstar. Like I said before, I would go with any of these trades because I don't think Mcgrady will return to his former self, either because injury or age. The ideal situation is still where Yao and Mcgrady can stay with the team while the role players are upgraded. I don't see this happening though because we have very few tradeable assets and not too many options in terms of FA signings.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tinyballer:</div><div class="quote_post">No way in hell do we trade tracy mcgrady our best player. Yess he does get injured a lot but hes now doing a lot more things to correct that then he has ever done. Yes hes loookin like vince carter interms of injury but vince carter only had one really bad season of it like tracys this season difference between the two one plays with heart while the other tries to live off talent. Tracy Mcgrady is special and no way in hell do we trade him.</div> THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! WOW I'm shocked at the rest of you. I didn't want to respond until someone backed up TMAC. This guy is everything. Last year, no one said anything about a trade at all for tmac. Now all of a sudden, lets trade him. Phoenix has the same problem. Amare might never be the same again, but you don't see them talking about trading him. Maybe because they are winning and that is due to them having 2 great superstars and a great supporting cast to our 1 superstar and shitty supporting cast. If we trade Tmac, we might as well go for lottery because I repeat Gaurds win games. Centers and forwards don't!!!! EX. Kevin Garnett-losing Kobe Bryant -Winning Elton Brand w/o sam cassel-losing Elton Brand W/ sam cassel- playoff bound.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">- Mcgrady for 3/5 of Charlotte's starting lineup (Okafor, Wallace, Knight) and draft pick. Knight is a great PG, Wallace is as good as Kirilenko, and Okafor would be a defensive PF the Rockets need. Maybe include Kareem Rush in the trade for his decent 3 pt shooting. - Chicago- Mcgrady for Gordon, Chandler, and their rights to the Knicks draft pick which should be very high. - Golden State- Mcgrady for Murphy, Richardson, and Pietrus or a draft pick - Clippers- Mcgrady for Kaman, Mobley, Maggette, maybe Cassell. - Lakers- Mcgrady for Odom, Smush Parker, Mihm, Brian Cook, and a draft pick - Grizzlies- Mcgrady for Gasol, Mike Miller, Battier, and Warrick. - Miami- Mcgrady for Wade - Milwaukee- Mcgrady for Redd and Bobby Simmons - Minnesota- Mcgrady and whoever we have to throw in for Garnett and Hudson. - Orlando- Mcgrady for D. Howard, Jameer Nelson, and Darko - Philadelphia- Mcgrady for Korver, AI2, and Dalembert. - Phoenix- Mcgrady for Marion, Diaw, Barbosa, and House - Seattle- Mcgrady for Rashard Lewis, Ridnour, EarlWatson, and Robert Swift (aka Powder) - Toronto- Mcgrady for Bosh and Morris Peterson. And maybe throw Swift in for Charlie Villanueva - Utah- Mcgrady for Kirilenko, Boozer, and Deron Williams </div> No offense but most of these trades are very bad...the only one's that are decent here are the Suns and T-Wolves....I think I'd rather risk McGrady's back injuries than to make some of these trades.
