T-mac a Rocket, officially

by **magius** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 10:35 am

i think tmac and yao will work just fine because you'll only really have 2 options on offense to run the game through now, opposed to having 3 options which is just really confusing and creates chaos. i think tmac is willing to reduce his shot total because he has already won 2 scoring championships, i doubt that is his main priority anymore. I also think he'll be able to play second fiddle because he has at least had some history of not being the go to guy, so maybe he can draw on that to shove his ego aside now that he has a decent man down low to play beside.

anyway we'll see, i dont care if houstons record improves or not in the regular season. It's the playoffs that count, consider the regular season a grace period for the 2 to get used to each other.

by **Fresh8** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 10:55 am

it could also lead to a certain Shaq-Kobe situation, however, Yao is a pretty nice guy and Jeff or Steve- what ever one of the Van Gundy's is coaching Houston, he'll figure out a way to play both, and hopefully avoid a train wreck like Kobe and Shaq.

No- they wont end up like Kobe and Shaq...I just hope T-mac doesnt abuse Yao's niceness and take all of Yao's opportunities...

The rookie has to earn the respect of his team, no matter if he is the next MJ or Magic. They have to work to show what they're made of, to get that spot, and even then, Drew G, he ain't gonna give up that spot easily... expect him to be working his ass off this summer.

If Gooden doesnt get that starting spot he'll be pissed...maybe we will see Howard having what many would call...rookie playing time that high-schoolers get...you know around the same time Kobe,Jermaine got when they entered the league...Orlando better hope he's not like Kwame who hasnt come out to play yet!

A very good trade, and both team's look the better for it.

-Definately...I agree, Houston can look like a contender while Orlando is trying to rebuild and compete at the same time...

Steve Francis is/was one of the most selfish players in the league. Did you ever watch the Rockets play in the last 5 minutes of close games? He takes the ball up...drives to the rack and lays it up...over and over and over...

Ppl change..and u cant say T-mac isnt as selfish...he wanted to quit early in the season! He could m\not make his team better...Francis..as for his playing- it's his style and I'm not saying that that's not selfish...too bad he couldn't pass to someone else...

This is the same Steve Francis who refused to play for the Vancouver Grizzlies, and forced them to trade him to Houston when he was drafted.

It was when he was younger and wanted his own way...as i said...lots of things change over 5 years!

Yao and McGrady will be a MUCH better tandem than Yao and Francis. Yao will get the ball more often because McGrady isn't the point guard and it will be someone else's job to divide their shots. I also expect McGrady to have a different attitude.

-Mcgradys new attitude? Score 35ppg and eliminate Yao from the offence and use him as someone to pass to and someone to get him open...

I don't see Francis allowing Mobley to not be a starter. And if you think the Yao freeze-out was something...he was a constant mismatch that they ignored...wait til you see what they do to the 18 year old kid who's still learning the game.

I admit that Francis and Mobley made Yao non-existent and thats why I wanted Mobley shipped out...if it was only Yao-Francis...we will never see it...And yes- Yao and T-mac can be great but thats providing how Yao feels cause they sent his best friend packing!

by **FanOfAll** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:14 pm

Sit wrote:If Gooden doesnt get that starting spot he'll be pissed...maybe we will see Howard having what many would call...rookie playing time that high-schoolers get...you know around the same time Kobe,Jermaine got when they entered the league...Orlando better hope he's not like Kwame who hasnt come out to play yet!

Well let's see if Gooden deserves that starting spot. While we talk about selfish player, let's not overlook Gooden. He has a tendency of having blackhole-itis (what Larry Bird called I think McHale)...the ball goes to him and never comes back. Plus, he's really gotta try so much harder on defense. His effort is laughable.

It was when he was younger and wanted his own way...as i said...lots of things change over 5 years!

People change, that's true. However, you're forgetting that when this trade was first mentioned, Francis whined about it. He didn't want to go Orlando. He didn't want to rebuild another team. He wanted to keep going. He was upset. Well, now that he's used his brain, actually visited Orlando and talked to the Weis, he knows it's not all that bad.

I admit that Francis and Mobley made Yao non-existent and thats why I wanted Mobley shipped out...if it was only Yao-Francis...we will never see it...And yes- Yao and T-mac can be great but thats providing how Yao feels cause they sent his best friend packing!

Hey, at least Mobley bought into Van Gundy and got along with him. The backcourt pair butted heads with Van Gundy and both did mature over the season. However, it was Mobley that made the first step and and played less selfish (not saying he was unselfish, just he matured before Francis). My biggest beef with Mobley is that he likes to go braindead. I counted multiple games where he committed bad fouls or turnovers at the end of the game that cost the Rockets. Can't say I wasn't groaning.

IMO, the biggest problem we'll see on the Rockets is between T-Mac and van Gundy. Gumby, for one, never wanted T-Mac. For two, he wants Yao as the #1 option. That's not happening. At best, it's Yao 1a and T-Mac 1b. But Yao won't be the sole go to guy on the Rockets.

by **HowAreYao?** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 6:52 pm

There was a press conference held today at Toyota Center to welcome the new players to the Rockets (Juwan Howard was not in attendance). It was open to the public and was held at 5pm, yet 2,500 people still showed up, for no more than 15 minutes and a glimpse of McGrady. There were several standing ovations, chants of "T-Mac, T-Mac!" and "M-V-P, M-V-P!"...it was nuts. McGrady was overwhelmed by the fan's support and excitement for something as simple as a short Q & A w/ the media.

Here are some quotes from Tracy himself:

- - - On coming to Houston and the enthusiasm of the fans:

"In my seven years, I have never seen anything like this. I appreciate the love ... I'm just looking forward to something great happening in the city of Houston. And believe me, something great is going to happen."

- - - On his play fitting with Coach Van Gundy's style:

"I'm coming here with the attitude (that) I'm going to let this guy coach me. I feel I'm a coachable player. Whatever I have to do to sacrifice, that's what I'm going to do, so I think I'm going to fit in great."

- - - On playing with Yao Ming:

"It is truly a blessing to have a guy like Yao Ming who I think is going to be dominant in his league. I'm coming here to try and help him get better and he is only going to help make the game much easier for me so I'm excited about him."

- - - On how long he's planning to stay in Houston (personal favorite):

"I'm looking to end my career here in Houston."

HELLO CONTRACT EXTENSION!!!

The crowd jumped to their feet and erupted when he said that, and Tracy looked like a kid in a candy store. He is truly happy to be here.

Van Gundy also made mention that Tracy COULD be a premier defensive player in this league due to his quickness and length, so it's obvious from the get-go that Jeff isn't just hoping, but EXPECTING Tracy to bust his hump on both ends for this team.

I hope he makes another appearance at Toyota Center again tomorrow for the And 1 Mix Tape Tour. I'll be there!

oh yeah, Tyronne Lue and Reece Gaines said "hi" and stuff

by **Riot** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 7:06 pm

wasn't he just as happy going to Orlando?

by **SpinFire** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 7:54 pm

Houston will definitely be looking at a NBA Trophy or at least a runner-up place in the 04/05 season.

by **Fresh8** on Thu Jul 01, 2004 11:09 pm

People change, that's true. However, you're forgetting that when this trade was first mentioned, Francis whined about it. He didn't want to go Orlando. He didn't want to rebuild another team. He wanted to keep going. He was upset. Well, now that he's used his brain, actually visited Orlando and talked to the Weis, he knows it's not all that bad.

Why did Franchise complain?

He was being taken away from the team he helped 'build'...being taken away from the team that made the playoffs last season for the first time in his career...being taken away from the friend he made and the friend he wass so close to! WHouldnt u be angry

Francis had legit reasons to be angry. He didnt want to stop here...he wanted to accomplish something...hew wanted to keep playing! Thats not selfish! That's love man! Dont dis the Franchise!

by **FanOfAll** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 2:56 am

Sit wrote:
People change, that's true. However, you're forgetting that when this trade was first mentioned, Francis whined about it. He didn't want to go Orlando. He didn't want to rebuild another team. He wanted to keep going. He was upset. Well, now that he's used his brain, actually visited Orlando and talked to the Weis, he knows it's not all that bad.

Why did Franchise complain?

He was being taken away from the team he helped 'build'...being taken away from the team that made the playoffs last season for the first time in his career...being taken away from the friend he made and the friend he wass so close to! WHouldnt u be angry

Francis had legit reasons to be angry. He didnt want to stop here...he wanted to accomplish something...hew wanted to keep playing! Thats not selfish! That's love man! Dont dis the Franchise!

Dude, I'm not dissing the Franchise. Have you seen people's reaction after he complained about it? It was a bunch of "*rolleyes*". Being the National Basketball Association is a business. When your hometown team, or when you have to leave a city where you're more idolized than Jesus Christ (which isn't true for Francis, I'm just throwing stuf fout there), it's reality. Welcome to the Real World. He has no veto power over the trade and wanted to be dealt out of Orlando once he got there. Would I be angry? Of course, but would I whine about it publicly? Hell no.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Franchise. Just his act sometimes gets on my nerves.

by **magius** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 8:01 am

if im building a team i dont want a dual point, i want a true point.

by **Amphatoast** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:12 am

Orlando general manager John Weisbrod believes the Magic will be a whole lot better without departed star Tracy McGrady.
http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2551880

that's kinda messed up how the GM talked bad stuff about McGrady. I kind of understand why though, McGrady, complained a bit too much in my opinion. He left the Raptors wanting his own team, he got that and then he wanted to be traded. I gues we will see who is the winner and loser if theres any in the deal

IMO Orlando won, getting 3 for 1 in a division thats not been proven yet with the
hawks (losers again)
bobcats(first year)
wizards( hmm not sure)
and miami ( still young, but francis will hold down wade and not get schooled like Baron Davis did lol)

by **Jay-Peso** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:33 am

All I have to say,

Good move for Rockets.

Bad move for Orlando.

by **Amphatoast** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 1:13 pm

James wrote:All I have to say,

Good move for Rockets.

Bad move for Orlando.

why bad for Orlando? you pick up a All-Star point guard and 2 decent starters.

by **Matt** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 6:13 pm

I think playing in the East will be good for Stevie....more small ball....look for him to get 20 6 6 again, if not more

by **Fresh8** on Fri Jul 02, 2004 10:35 pm

nah...i would be happy if he averages 15, 10 and 10 but i dont think thats very likely!

Oh yeah...to fanofall...I'm not really sayin u dis the franchise but asking everyone that if wat Franchise whined about was selfish comments...

by **FanOfAll** on Sat Jul 03, 2004 5:09 pm

Sit wrote:nah...i would be happy if he averages 15, 10 and 10 but i dont think thats very likely!

, to average more than 15,5,5 in his first 5 seasons is remarkable already.

O yeah...to fanofall...I'm not really sayin u dis the franchise but asking everyone that if wat Franchise whined about was selfish comments...

Alright, fair enough.

by **Amphatoast** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 9:25 am

damn the western all star squad is going to be truly tough with mcgrady their
yao/shaq (7foot+)
duncan(7foot)
garnett(7foot)
mcgrady(6'8")
kobe(6'6")

ouch, and they tall too, east will be in trouble
kobe+mcgrady should be interesting :cool:

by **twolvezfanfoever** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 9:28 am

Naw,itll be

Shaq
TD
KG
Kobe
Bibby or Cassell

T-Mac gonna be warmin that bench for alittle bit.Unless him and Yao blow up and they both get to start.I cant wait to see Houston play though.

by **Amphatoast** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 9:32 am

its the fans voting...mcgrady got more fans than cassell and bibby put together i think..

by **Jackal** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 10:46 am

If Bryant & McGrady are listed at the guard spot...McGrady & Bryant will be starting the All-Star game.

Like with Garnett & Duncan, both forwards start. Not because Marion is there, KG will play behind Duncan. Nah-ah.

Yao
Duncan
Garnett
McGrady
Bryant

As much as I want Shaq to start..he won't.

by **Drex** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 11:24 am

Yao
Duncan
Garnett
McGrady
Bryant

Tha could be the All-NBA 1st team this season

by **Jackal** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 11:30 am

Nah, I think Shaq will make All NBA First.

He is being shipped out, I don't think his stats could go lower than this season. That's just an assumption of a biased Shaq fan though.

by **Chuck04** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 12:38 pm

Amphatoast,

Just cause Franis made the All Star team doesn't make him great. All it makes him is popular amongst the fans. I guarantee that if the coaches decided the entire All Star squad (not just the benches) then Francis probably would be a 1 maybe 2 time All Star if he was lucky.

As for him holding down Wade - you obviously don't get to see a lot of Stevies games, cause his defence is disgraceful. Davis is a much better defender than Francis.

by **patrixxx73** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:35 pm

For Next Year's All-Star Game, and with that strong line-up... I think WEST ALL-STARS will again clobber EAST ALL-STARS!

Shaquille O'Neal or Yao Ming - Center
Tim Duncan - Power Forward
Kevin Garnett - Small Forward
Tracy McGrady or Kobe Bryant - Off Guard
Sam Cassell or Steve Nash - Point Guard

with Houston Rockets aquiring T-Mac, we'll just wait and see when the 2004-2005 NBA season opens if he will blend-in with Yao Ming and the rest of the Rockets Team. As for now, we can only speculate...

by **ATTENTIONWHORE** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 1:44 pm

I was going to make a new topic, but I decided not to;
it was going to be called "Predict The 2004-2005 All-Star Teams"
I, for one, think that it will be a close game; yes it's true that West just kills East in terms of size, but, I dunno, I think it will be a close one.
Yeah..the McGrady trade for Francis doesn't help the East out very much...oh well...it'll definitely be a fun game to watch!

by **Amphatoast** on Tue Jul 06, 2004 4:23 pm

Chuck04 wrote:Amphatoast,

Just cause Franis made the All Star team doesn't make him great. All it makes him is popular amongst the fans. I guarantee that if the coaches decided the entire All Star squad (not just the benches) then Francis probably would be a 1 maybe 2 time All Star if he was lucky.

As for him holding down Wade - you obviously don't get to see a lot of Stevies games, cause his defence is disgraceful. Davis is a much better defender than Francis.

he is still a good player i think. Yeah, he is popular, but he was the main piece in this trade which shows he has some good value, obviously not as much as McGrady, but enough to help make this a fair deal.
You are right in the fact that I don't see many of his games since I ain't a Rockets Fan and live no where near Houston, but I still think he might be at least fast enough to keep up with Wade? ok i guess i made a wrong statement there since davis is fast too :oops:

T-mac a Rocket, officially

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