T-Mac will help Rockets lift off in the West

Tracy McGrady led the NBA in scoring last season, albeit on a last place team in Orlando. Following the season, he let it be known that if the Magic did not put more talent around him, that he would opt out after next season and become an unrestricted free agent. And despite the probable return of Grant Hill for next year, Pat Garrity's definite return as a viable long-range threat and the number one draft pick in Thursday's NBA Draft, GM John Weisbrod didn't want to risk seeing McGrady leave for nothing, similar to Shaquille O'Neal's departure eight years ago.

So Weisbrod and the Magic brass got something for a superstar, dealing McGrady, Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines to Houston for Silver Spring native Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. The deal gives Houston two of the best ten players in the NBA, (something Francis never was) including the NBA's leading scorer.

What makes McGrady even deadlier in Houston is coach Jeff Van Gundy's insistence to run the offense through 7'5" center Yao Ming, the best passing big man in the league. With Yao's uncanny ability to find any of the other four men on the court at any time, McGrady stands to be able to get the ball when he's open nearly 100% of the time. He is an excellent player off the ball, and unlike last season where he led the league in scoring with 28 PPG despite being constantly double teamed, he will now have talent to work with, enabling him to get free more often and use his outstanding shooting touch.

Plus there is the age factor. McGrady has just turned 25, while Francis is 28. While Francis is still young and in his athletic prime, one must remember that Orlando, with their pick of high schooler Dwight Howard #1 overall in last Thursday's NBA Draft, has shown they are in a long rebuilding period. By the time Orlando is ready to win, Francis will be 30 or 31.

That said, the Magic weren't ripped off in this trade. Cuttino Mobley and Steve Francis were one of the best tandems in the league last season. Mobley is a smart team player and a good inside-outside athlete. If he gets enough shots, he has the potential to be an All-Star in the mold of Michael Redd of the Eastern Conference. Kelvin Cato is a solid bench player, and with 6'11" Dwight Howard now on the Magic, Cato can continue to get minutes off the pine like he did in Houston. The deal works for Orlando's rebuilding plan, and in a weak Southeast division (with Charlotte, Atlanta, Miami and Washington), they could compete sooner than most think.

While landing McGrady undoubtedly improves the title chances of the Rockets for this season and especially beyond that, the road to the Larry O' Brien trophy is far from easy. First of all, Houston finds themselves playing next year in the newly formed Southwest division, where all five teams made the 2004 Playoffs. Also, there are major questions about whether or not Tyronn Lue could run the point for a serious contender. Nobody can question Lue's effort and hustle, but they can question his size and his ability to play against Southwest division guards Jason Williams, Steve Nash, Tony Parker and Baron Davis, three of which are former all stars. However, there is also a very high chance that Houston will land Derek Fisher to run the offense, taking care of that issue.

McGrady is the most prolific scorer in the league, and can score from anywhere on the court. The trade makes Houston immediately better for next year, and with McGrady enthusiastic about signing a long-term deal, the Rockets will have many years to bring the title back to Southeastern Texas. From a financial standpoint, owner Les Alexander now has a stunning new arena and a great product on court - which could make the Rockets the toast of the town in a football-crazed city. Even in the rough-and-tumble Western Conference, this trade ensures that the Rockets have all the pieces necessary to give the city of Houston their first major sports title in over a decade.