I’m a basketball fan. I think I’ve pretty much established that. I’m a Rockets fan. Ditto that. So, the offseason is really awkward and uncomfortable, especially when the trade winds are blowing…
Right now, the Rockets are at the center of trade rumors that have Orlando sending star swingman Tracy McGrady and an additional player to Houston for star point guard Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato.
There are a range of reasons as to why this poses a problem for the average fan.
First, there are all the rumors. Tracking them, even with the incredible ClutchFans.net BBS, is a nightmare. It means surfing the net constantly for updated news and writing truely worthless drivel on said bulletin board just to keep your mind occupied.
Then there is the fact that, while A deal is rumored to take place soon (and it may not include the Rockets), it cannot be announced for at least a week, maybe 2 or 3, because of league rules.
Lastly, there is the concern about what will happen if the deal falls through. I’ve been through deals with the Rockets where players set to be moved aren’t and there are all sorts of problems managing the bruised egos.
Let me go on record as saying I would definitely do this deal. McGrady is a once-in-a-lifetime player who, teamed with Yao, could become the next Shaq/Kobe dynamic tandem in the NBA. He is young (25), skilled (led the league in scoring 2 years running) and extremely popular making the Rockets instantly one of the biggest draws in the league. You cannot put a price tag on that.
I like Francis, despite the complaints of some fans. And I think Mobley and Cato are solid players who helped the team. But, this is a deal that doesn’t come along very often and you have to sieze it. Rockets owner Les Alexander has a flair for exactly these kinds of deals making moves to get Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley and the aforementioned Francis. Let’s see if he can pull off another one.