Source: Yao wants Mcgrady Traded

[mfbmike]

The Rockets are putting a positive spin on this, but Waiting for Tracy is a play that nobody in Houston wants to see anymore -- up to and including the big man, Yao Ming. "They don't speak," an extremely plugged-in person tells me. "And Yao wants him out." That's not likely this season, as McGrady's $20.3 million is toxic to too many teams' luxury tax plans. Next summer, though, when McGrady will have an expiring, $22.4 million contract, teams may well circle the Rockets looking to make a deal. It's not personal between Yao and McGrady. They like one another. But Yao's frustration is real. And Yao is not the only person that's grown tired of McGrady's self-diagnosis, his up-to-the-last-minute decisions on whether he'll play or not. This isn't questioning his toughness; McGrady took a bunch of pain-killing shots just to get through the first round of the playoffs. And it's unfair of anyone to judge McGrady on his ability to play well in pain; some can, some can't. Ron Artest wanted to keep playing on what the team is now calling a "stress reaction" in his ankle after gutting it out for a month, but he's been shut down for a week to 10 days. One veteran scout who worked a Rockets game recently was shocked by the deterioration in the still-29-year-old McGrady's game.

nba.com

Drama? Oh shit.

[mfbmike]

Rockets getting tough with McGrady

If you read between all the nice words, the Rockets sent a tough message to Tracy McGrady on Monday. To summarize: 1. Get in better shape. 2. Learn to deal with the pain in your left knee. 3. Don't come back until you do. There were all sorts of things left unsaid as the Rockets delicately attempted to do the right thing for the team while not mentally losing their $21-million star. Conditioning? That's a tough word to use halfway through an NBA season. Is McGrady's conditioning an issue because he hasn't been working hard, or because his surgically repaired left knee won't allow him to work hard? Pain? Another tough one. The Rockets and their medical staff believe McGrady's knee is sound and suggested he play through the pain. McGrady has been unable to do this, and it's important to remember that none of us -- including the doctors -- knows how badly McGrady is hurting. If he says the pain is intolerable, then the pain is intolerable.

Houston Chronicle

Damn, I feel bad.

[Primetime]

Interesting to say the least.

[mfbmike]

Interesting to say the least.

That's what I'm sayin.

[AJay]

I like the way Houston is going about this, could be a real good thing for the franchise. Hopefull McGrady can figure something out or looks like his ass will be gone.

[Kuzzy Powers]

Who needs McGrady when you have Von Wafer?

[mfbmike]

Who needs McGrady when you have Von Wafer?

That 23 point performance on the Lakers lastnight was pretty fuckin impressive.

[A Tasty Burgerr]

I'm not going to believe it completely until I hear a quote from an actual teammate or coach.

[LC AAU]

That'd be a dumb deal IMO.

[SuperNova854]

Come to LA!

[mfbmike]

Oh wow nova, that sounds like a great idea. Let's add an injury prone sonofabitch to a team that's already battered and bruised to all hell.

[Point Blank]

Never thought Yao would be the one that wanted someone traded.

[mfbmike]

Never thought Yao would be the one that wanted someone traded.

I find it ironic considering he went down for almost a third of the season with that foot injury. Don't think he's in a position to be talking shit. lol.

[LC AAU]

lol that was good.

[CB4]

Toronto plox.