T-Mac to Houston? Say it ain't so

Marc Stein from ESPN has revealed that the Rockets are offering Steve Francis for for T-Mac: "Of all the superstars purportedly on the trading block -- Chris Webber, Allen Iverson, Vince Carter, etc. -- the consensus remains that none of them is more likely to actually move than Orlando's Tracy McGrady. Houston is said to be making a hard push, peddling Steve Francis for starters". His complete column can be found here.

This mere rumor has the crazies at ClutchCity hysterical and it seems that everyone in H-Town has jumped on the T-Mac bandwagon already. Inane posts like: "I would give up sex for a week with my supermodel girlfriend if we could get Tmac." have filled the forum. Some fans have even gone so far as photoshopping pics of T-Mac donning a #1 Rockets jersey. Holy Smokes.

Don't get me wrong though, T-Mac is muthafuckin baller. He can score anytime, anywhere, on anyone. He's proved that consistently over the course of his young career.

However, I think everyone's jumping the gun here. I just ain't convinced.

First off, does Orlando know something about T-Mac that the rest of us don't? Maybe that he's a selfish prima donna that cares more about getting 30 pts than actually winning a game? After all, wasn't he a major factor in the Magic's horrendous 1-18 start? I am the only one that's a little suspicious here?

Also, at this point, I just don't see him fitting into the Rockets system. T-Mac isn't exactly a Van Gundy type player as he plays erratic defense and he's overly egotistical. One could argue that Francis posseses those qualities as well but at least Francis has progressed in maturity and overall leadership over the course of the year. McGrady hasn't. Francis also takes it personally when the Rockets lose. McGrady blames his teammates. McGrady could have all the talent in the world but if he lacks that will to win games and that ability to make this teammates better, it ain't gonna help us much. Don't believe me? Look at Iverson or Webber. Neither will ever win rings (with them as leaders of their perspective teams).

Although, they're relevant issues, I won't even get into his history of injury and the fact that we really don't need a shooting guard or small forward.

But if we do have to replace Francis... Why don't replace him with a proven winner... K-O-B-E.