Who joins the team?

[elindholm]

Regardless of who you think the better choice would be, who do you think is more likely to be with the Suns next season?

 

[SirStefan32]

I doubt we will see either one of them in the Suns uniform next year, but I would say we have a better shot at T-Mac. I think that Orlando is more willing to deal than LA.

Stefan

 

[slinslin]

LA doesn't need to be willing to deal. They have no choice.

 

[George O'Brien]

LA doesn't need to be willing to deal. They have no choice.

I agree. Is there a category of "remote but slightly better than the the other"? If so, that's where I would put Kobe over T-Mac. I simply don't think the Suns can afford to offer what some other teams can if he is really on the market. For Kobe the cost is just money which if the cap is cleared is the same for everyone.

 

[elindholm]

Is there a category of "remote but slightly better than the the other"?

Yes. "More likely" means "more likely," no matter how remote. If you think that Bryant is 1-in-1000 and McGrady is 1-in-1001, vote for Bryant.

 

[F-Dog]

Is there a category of "remote but slightly better than the the other"?

Yes. "More likely" means "more likely," no matter how remote. If you think that Bryant is 1-in-1000 and McGrady is 1-in-1001, vote for Bryant.

You nailed my feelings on the subject with this comment, Eric.

They're probably both going to stay with their original teams, and Phoenix isn't even the first choice for either player if he does move. I guess Kobe's options (if he leaves the Lakers) are more limited than McGrady's (if he leaves the Magic) at this point, so Phoenix has a slightly better shot at Kobe.


I think there's a better than 95% chance that the Suns won't get either player, and I hope they won't waste too much energy or take too many risks trying to get one.

 

[slinslin]

I voted for TMac.

Because in my opinion TMac will be shoppped and if the Suns truly want him they should be able to get him without giving up Amare.

And even most Orlando fans talk about the proposed Phoenix trades as the best trades for them.

 

[Joe Mama]

I voted for TMac.

Because in my opinion TMac will be shoppped and if the Suns truly want him they should be able to get him without giving up Amare.

And even most Orlando fans talk about the proposed Phoenix trades as the best trades for them.

I agree with your reasoning, but I think the Phoenix Suns will be cautious about getting Tracy McGrady because of his health issues. The last thing they want to do is get another Penny Hardaway on their hands. I mean his deal should be around $105 million. That's a hell of a lot to pay a player who could go down at any minute with his bad back.

I still don't believe the Phoenix Suns will end up with either of the superstars whether it's because they don't want to come here or the Suns don't want them badly enough.

Joe Mama

 

[KloD]

I'm thinking McGrady is more likely simply because the Suns have a trade history with Orlando. Kobe may be a free agent when he opts out, but he can still use the Lakers to go to another team by signing with them for the higher amount. They don't want to lose him for nothing, it would be silly. They can resign and trade to where ever Kobe wants to go. If McGrady is fond of the Suns, then I can see it getting done if the price is not too steep. Also, I don't think we would have to throw in the farm because remember he can always tell any team that he is not going to resign with them if it is not where he wants to be. This will limit the Magic's options.

 

[Chaplin]

I think it's funny all these Penny Hardaway comparisons. Penny Hardaway didn't score 30 and 40 point games with any regularity before joining the Suns. Penny was only averaging 15.8 in only 50 games the year before he got traded to us.

In comparison, this past season Tracy McGrady averaged 28 points a game in 67 games. I'll take that production any day, even if it is 15 games less than a full season.

We had only 4 players play in more games this year than Tracy did--and that was Shawn Marion, Joe Johnson, Casey Jacobsen and Leandro Barbosa. Howard Eisley tied McGrady with 67 games played between here and New York.

Is his back a worry? Sure, it is a little bit. Is it as big a worry as Penny's knees were? No way--not even close, no matter how much you all want to justify your reasoning for getting Tracy McGrady.

 

[George O'Brien]

In the "for whatever it's worth" category: The All NBA teams were released. Kobe is on the first team and McGrady is on the second team. Kobe is better than McGrady. If a "sign and trade" is necessary, then Kobe is the guy to go after because he has proven he can play at an elite level in championship games.

 

[Joe Mama]

Chap, I agree that this situation with Tracy McGrady is not identical to Hardaway's. McGrady has been less injured by a longshot at this point, and even last season he played at an elite level. I expected the Phoenix Suns were going to trade for him they would want a very thorough medical exam done on him first. They would be much more careful then they were with Penny Hardaway. They just cannot afford that kind of mistake again, and McGrady's contract would be about 150% of Hardaway's.

I honestly do not see how anybody can say for sure that Kobe Bryant is better than Tracy McGrady. I mean they are then completely different situations. Bryant does appear to be the better defender, but frankly I think his defense is somewhat overrated. Offensively I give the edge to McGrady. For the most part he's been just as good as Bryant without having Shaquille O'Neal drawing a good share of the attention.

Joe Mama