Roxsfan
05-06-2007, 11:56 AM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/si...adys-fault.html
Move over Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade. You've got company on the list of NBA top scorers heading home for the postseason.
But while Tracy McGrady might get the lion's share of the blame for his team's Game 7 loss to the Jazz on Saturday night, it really wasn't his fault. T-Mac played well overall, getting his teammates involved early and finishing with 29 points and 13 assists.
McGrady can't solve Houston's lack of athleticism up and down the roster, nor its lack of a quality power forward and point guard.
Juwan Howard and Chuck Hayes are just too slow at the 4 spot to pair with the plodding Yao Ming. Utah's Carlos Boozer went right around Houston's frontcourt all night. He made Howard and Yao look like traffic cones on defense.
At point guard, the situation isn't much better. Rafer Alston did a solid job for the most part during the season and the series. He even hit a three-pointer off glass late in Game 7 to give the Rockets a major boost during their rally.
But if the Rockets hope to contend for an NBA title, they need a bigger, stronger, more complete floor general. As hard as Alston tries, he could not keep Utah's Deron Williams from getting in the paint all series. Plus, he doesn't score enough to take pressure off McGrady and Yao.
Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Mo Williams. Any of the four would be a major improvement.
The problem is the Rockets don't have any room under the salary cap to sign Billups or Williams, and they don't have many assets to swing a deal for the other guys.
Houston will likely have to settle for a second-tier guy, like Steve Blake, Luke Ridnour, Jamaal Tinsley or Mike James.
Would a slight improvement at point and power forward be enough to make Houston a legit title contender? Who knows? If rumors are to be believed, coach Jeff Van Gundy might not be back. That means the Rockets might have a whole different look next season anyway.
But the look on McGrady's face after Saturday's loss said it all. The Rockets need to upgrade those positions if they want their superstar to end his streak of first-round playoff ousters any day soon.
Says it all really. His making up for the problems on our rosters. Yet its all his fault to most people. Answered everyones criticisms from game 6. Cut the guy some slacks and look forward to the offseason :elephant
Move over Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade. You've got company on the list of NBA top scorers heading home for the postseason.
But while Tracy McGrady might get the lion's share of the blame for his team's Game 7 loss to the Jazz on Saturday night, it really wasn't his fault. T-Mac played well overall, getting his teammates involved early and finishing with 29 points and 13 assists.
McGrady can't solve Houston's lack of athleticism up and down the roster, nor its lack of a quality power forward and point guard.
Juwan Howard and Chuck Hayes are just too slow at the 4 spot to pair with the plodding Yao Ming. Utah's Carlos Boozer went right around Houston's frontcourt all night. He made Howard and Yao look like traffic cones on defense.
At point guard, the situation isn't much better. Rafer Alston did a solid job for the most part during the season and the series. He even hit a three-pointer off glass late in Game 7 to give the Rockets a major boost during their rally.
But if the Rockets hope to contend for an NBA title, they need a bigger, stronger, more complete floor general. As hard as Alston tries, he could not keep Utah's Deron Williams from getting in the paint all series. Plus, he doesn't score enough to take pressure off McGrady and Yao.
Chauncey Billups, Mike Bibby, Jason Kidd, Mo Williams. Any of the four would be a major improvement.
The problem is the Rockets don't have any room under the salary cap to sign Billups or Williams, and they don't have many assets to swing a deal for the other guys.
Houston will likely have to settle for a second-tier guy, like Steve Blake, Luke Ridnour, Jamaal Tinsley or Mike James.
Would a slight improvement at point and power forward be enough to make Houston a legit title contender? Who knows? If rumors are to be believed, coach Jeff Van Gundy might not be back. That means the Rockets might have a whole different look next season anyway.
But the look on McGrady's face after Saturday's loss said it all. The Rockets need to upgrade those positions if they want their superstar to end his streak of first-round playoff ousters any day soon.
Says it all really. His making up for the problems on our rosters. Yet its all his fault to most people. Answered everyones criticisms from game 6. Cut the guy some slacks and look forward to the offseason :elephant