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McGrady just flirting with HoustonHold your horses Rockets fans, on top of being 25 years old with back problems and not doing a thing to prevent them, McGrady to Houston may not be anything more than a simple flirt. In order to get McGrady in the first place, the Rockets would have to include Steve Francis, something they just are not in the business of. The Jeff Van Gundy / Steve Francis problems have been grossly exaggerated. On top of that, Francis seems to have become much more of a Van Gundy player, especially with his strong playoff showing. Although he is turnover-prone and had his worst shooting season from the perimeter and as a finisher, he does get teammates open outside shots every night, and he is willing to defer to Yao. Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets GM Weisbrod v. Superstar McGradySome are criticizing Tracy McGrady for an arrogance and belief that he is bigger than the team. But this Orlando Sentinel writer believes that the Magic’s new GM John Weisbrod may be guilty of just that. Is Weisbrod letting his ego and not his better judgment run the team so far? McGrady’s time in Orlando seems to be coming to a bad ending. The superstar is speaking publicly about where he would like to end up and has downplayed the number 1 pick the Magic landed in the lottery last week by saying that there are no impact players in the Draft. It could be that only a miracle will keep McGrady in town and some blame could be heading Weisbrod’s way. Weisbrod is a very intelligent front office executive. But just a month into the job, he challenged McGrady by saying he wanted to sign him this off-season or would pursue a trade to send T-Mac packing. The problem with this approach is that it's highly difficult to present the current roster and have one of the league’s top five players sign on to staying. It’s a difficult position for both sides and one that could end up forcing McGrady out of town. This Magic franchise simply cannot afford to lose another superstar. However it seems that Weisbrod wants to run the show his way and does not take kindly to competing powers or individualists who would challenge his way of doing business. He may view McGrady as someone who did not handle losing well, who is not a team player, and someone who stands in the way of Weisbrod putting his stamp on this team. Moreover, he may see McGrady as a highly valuable trade asset, one that he can dump on the open market for such a complete talent package that he will be able to re-make the roster quickly and successfully. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets McGrady on the next Rocket out of town?If the Orlando Magic do not improve - and quickly - look for McGrady to be requesting a transfer out West by mid-July. While this doesn't leave the Magic with much time, the pressure on the team has intesified with their star forward voicing concerns that their recently acquired first overall pick cannot land a player good enough to improve the team dramatically and that he'd prefer the team trade the pick. "I don't want to be here rebuilding," McGrady said. Contrary to reports of McGrady jumping ship to either San Antonio or the Lakers he lists the Houston Rockets as the front runners to acquire his services should he leave, with Indiana and Detroit both possibilities in the East. "I don't want to go there," McGrady said of the Spurs and Lakers. "I don't want to go somewhere where everything's already in place. That would be too easy. I want a challenge." Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Magic May 2004 Archive
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