Jim, thanks for the compliment. Regarding potential trades, I like Aaron Brooks enough to not want to bring in a starting point guard like Bibby. Instead, I’d like for Brooks to get the majority of the playing time at PG and see what he can do. Maybe the Rockets could bring in a backup point guard as a side dish to a major deal for McGrady. The Rockets’ major need would be replacing the scoring power they would miss if McGrady weren’t in the lineup, since Shane Battier isn’t going to score 18 points a game like he did Friday night. So they would need a small forward/shooting guard in return. I haven’t really looked deeply at other NBA rosters, but one guy who could help is Corey Maggette at the Clippers (although his 42.4% shooting concerns me) as well as getting an old reliable point guard who can help mentor Brooks, but not be around for years so Brooks can flourish. The guy who could fit that bill is Sam Cassell. Cassell gives them the experience they need to pull out tough games. And he’s probably only got a year or two left with very reduced minutes. That could work out nicely for Brooks’ evolution. Of course, that would be another PG added to the roster, so they would have to get rid of someone. Maybe Alston or James, although James isn’t a true point guard and his $5 million salary would make it more difficult to do a deal. Francis’ contract may be too cheap to give up. There may still be some value there. I’d also want the Rockets to get a first round pick, if possible.

The Clippers need to change things up since they are playing so poorly (9-19 record), so that makes them motivated to do a deal. I think McGrady would love the spotlight of being in the LA market (although I think ultimately their fans would be disappointed, especially when another guy who plays in that same arena named Kobe would overshadow him). This is all just wild speculation that’s kind of fun to do. I’d want to take some time to look at other rosters to see what else is out there. In no way am I advocating this trade right now. If things start REALLY heading south with McGrady as a Rocket, then I will put more time into thinking about it. — John

I think it was Fran who said it best, its not Yao that is having trouble with this offense anymore, its Tmac. I think there is some truth to that. We do seem to flow better without him, but that said, we are a whopping 11-42 without him in the lineup and would be 0 for whatever without him in the playoffs.

In my opinion, the regular season is one thing. Games come easier, you can play almost any style assuming you can impose it on the other team, and there is room for experiments. However, when you get to the playoffs, a lot of that becomes moot. For all the talk about dropping Tmac, there is simply no way we will be an effective team come playoff time without him. In a conference full of size at both the point and the 2 guard, it is important for us to field a team with some size at those positions. Ginobili and the rest would eat Head up.

While Tmac’s jumpers tend to stagnate the offense, part of the stagnation comes from other players standing around him and being star struck. For whatever reason they are not star struck by Yao, but this team sees Tmac on another level. When he has the ball, noone seems to move. But we have to realize that if and when he does get on board with this offense, he is still our best player. I know I know, Yao is Yao. But in today’s NBA, as you have said, a guard or forward simply can impact the game more than a center.

Truth is, Tmac still is one of our two best scorers, still our best passer, still our best option nine times out of ten, whether he passes or shoots, and come playoff time, the most valuable asset we have. Not to mention, Yao’s historical effectiveness increases exponentially with Tmac in the lineup. I’m sorry, but neither Alston nor Brooks can run the pick and roll with Yao like Tmac can. I too wish he would never shoot another jumper, but he also gets injured everytime he goes to the rim. Its a catch 22 of the worst kind.

Anywho, love the balance from everyone. Can’t ever argue when your best defender also drops 18 points! And thank God Scola is starting to pick it up. Hopefully he can continue and be that third scorer that we all thought he could.

Battier, Hays and Alston should become 2nd unit.

Not sure about Francis and James, it is coach’s decision.

Tmc

1). Tmac to try driving to the hoop at least 8-10 times per game! He SHALL not take more than 10 jump shots per game! He need to create more shots for his teammates, especially Scola! He need to spend more energy & effort on rebound and defense.

2). Coach A-Men SHALL let Brooks & Scola both play 30 minutes per game.

3). Demand Alston not to keep jacking up jumpers, drive to the basket more!!

4). Everbody try to look for Yao more, this guy is your money man, he is not that difficult to find around the paint!

Happy holidays……..