What Should The Rockets Do With Tmac?

The Rockets injury plagued years are continuing with no end in sight. Since acquiring Tracy McGrady for Steve Francis and some change, the Rockets have not been able to show their full potential. The dynamic tandem of Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming was expected to be conference changing. Anytime you can put a scoring champ and a gentle giant together, you expect well…. greatness. Similar to your resident super heroes, Batman and Robin, Lewis and Clark, Cheech and Chong, ok maybe not Cheech and Chong but you get the idea.

Fans serenaded Tmac by the thousands at his press conference, while Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato looked like they were in a sweatbox. Tmacs press conference was held in the Toyota Center, in front of thousands of fans, and it got a bit emotional, trust me I was there. T Mac was so overwhelmed that he started making big promises such as, “big things are about to happen here in Houston, trust me!” Well we trusted, and the so called “big” things still have not happened. Instead the biggest thing that happened was advancing to the second round, and guess who was not part of that accomplishment, the man with the promises Tracy McGrady.

Now I am not here to insult Tmac, but rather criticize. Tracy is a quite NBA player, but when put in front off a camera he’s not so shy after all. He says things that intrigue reporters, and builds up the hopes off many fans. I think we all remember the Stepen A. Smith interview appropriately labeled “it’s on me.” When Smith asked Tracy how important it was to get out of the first round as a Rocket, Tracy imperatively took full responsibility by accepting all the pressure, even to the point he leaned out off his chair and emotionally accepted the fact that he desperately needs to get out off the first round.  From one perspective you can call that being a leader. From another perspective you say that person is really putting a demanding ultimatum on himself, is it really necessary? I mean honestly no matter how many times he says it does not affect him, or that he does not think about it, we all know it must be tough too accept. A player, who has had so much success individually, does not have much to show for it in an overall perspective..  

I don’t see anything wrong with optimism but the track record shows little to be optimistic about. Tracy’s individual numbers are absolutely stellar when he is healthy. On the big stage they call the “playoffs”; he elevates his game even higher yet continues to have minimal success. Did the Rockets make a mistake trading for Tracy; absolutely not. The trade overall favored the Houston Rockets, not only was McGrady the main piece but Juwan Howard and Tyrone Lue both played roles on the team.

That being said what do the Rockets do with Tracy? We all know players play there best during a contract year, and not only is Tracy in his contract year but at the same time has lots to prove to the NBA world. Can he still compete at a high level? Can he lead a starless Rockets team to a playoff birth? Most importantly when will he come back?  In a recent interview by the local Houston Fox 26 news affiliate, Tracy makes it very clear that without any doubt he will be in a Rockets uniform this year, and he will be on the court at some point. Tracy does not set a definitive date, but if he does return early in the season and plays like a superstar, I would assume the phone would be off the hook in Daryl Moreys office as the trade deadline approached. Not only is it his contract year, but if he is playing superstar caliber basketball im sure a few teams would be highly interested in his part time services. Do the Rockets trade him for younger pieces, or do the Rockets ride it out and see if he can lead this team too the playoffs? The Rockets will still have defense anchored by Shane Battier and Trevor Ariza, they will still have the so called “pit bulls” in Carl Landry, Chuck Hayes, and Luis Scola. The role players are not the problem, but the nucleus is. With no Yao Ming, the inside out offense will disappear, but with a playmaker like Tmac, others around him can thrive. Tmac in my opinion is an underrated passer. His court vision is above average, and his height lets him shoot right over his defender.

The pros and cons make the decision on Tmac extra tough. Based on all the rumors, all the speculation for the past few years, I would have to assume that Tmac would not be willing to sign a new contract with the Houston Rockets after his current one was to expire. At the same time the Rockets could be favorable players in the 2010 free agent market, if they hold onto to Tracy’s expiring contract. That would possibly make this season one the Rockets want to get done with as soon as possible. Is this a wash out season for the Rockets, or do they have a small chance at making the playoffs? Should they even attempt to make the playoffs? All questions waiting to be answered.

 It is still too early to predict what kind of decision the Rockets should make, but if you were in Daryl Moreys position what would you do?