COVERITLIVE.COM

1:06	Fran Blinebury - Hello all, this is the Chronicle sports desk. Fran Blinebury is having a few technical difficulties, but he should be with us shortly. Thanks for your patience.

1:10	[Comment From J.WiLL] Are the Rockets goin to keep Tracy McGrady after he recovers?

1:12

Fran Blinebury - Sorry for the delay. I'm wrestling with the technical gremlins. Hope we have a connection that last now. I'll stay later past 2. Let's roll.

The first step is for McGrady to recover. That is not a given. There have been plenty of players who had microfracture surgery that ended their careers. Chances are, he isn't back on the floor until the All-Star break next season. The will give him a short time to prove he can play at a high level again.

1:12	[Comment From singh 13] how far do you think the rockets will go in the playoffs?

1:13	Fran Blinebury - It's conceivable they could win a round with the right matchup -- Portland, New Orleans, Dallas. But a second-round match against the Lakers or Spurs is likely too high a hill to climb.

1:13	[Comment From JoeDowntown] Is my assessment of we need New Orleans, Portland and on down to get out the second round? Staying away from the top 4 of course?

1:14	Fran Blinebury - Barring an upset -- a big one -- in the first round, that second round is likely to serve up LA or SA.

1:14	[Comment From ryf] Does Artest realize that he sometime dribble too much and get himself into trouble? Does Adelman tell him that or is it accepted by coaching staff as part of the package?

1:15	Fran Blinebury - The assumption is that he spends a lot of time thinking about what he's doing. Not sure I'd make that. Yes, the coaches do actually coach. But as any coach will tell you, that is often as productive as banging your head against the wall.

1:16	[Comment From donald mathis] will the rockets trade tracy mcgrady?

1:18

Fran Blinebury - I'd think trading McGrady over the summer will be next to impossible. He's got a $23 million contract and the economics of the NBA appear bleak. For the first time in years, the salary cap is expected to go down. Toss in the fact that teams who might take a gamble on him won't even know when or if he can play. If there's a chance to unload him, it will likely be prior to the trading deadline next February. Still, he'll have to be on the court first to show that he can play.

1:18

[Comment From sean]
I'm curious how you think next years team will shake out with Artest(resigning or not) and how management deals with McGrady. Does the team try to get a 2 guard? It seems to me that with Scola/Landry/Yao that we have the right big men. The worry would be the back court going forward. Thanks.

1:19	Fran Blinebury - My gut says they'll re-sign Artest. McGrady is entirely up the air until he can manage to get himself back on the court and show that he can play. I think a wing shooter is still a high priority.

1:19	[Comment From bryan] With the Rocket's brutal remaining schedule do you think they will be able to keep home court advantage?

1:19	Fran Blinebury - No.

1:19	[Comment From singh13] How far do you think the rockets will go in the playoffs?

1:20	Fran Blinebury - With the right matchup, I could see them winning in the first round. But it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't.

1:20	[Comment From Willy] Why is it that most rockets fans i talk to about "playoffs" that most would rather the rockets play against teams like the lakers, hornets, blazers rather than the Jazz?

1:21	Fran Blinebury - Maybe because they've been watching the past two years. And I don't think anybody wants the Lakers.

1:21	[Comment From donald mathis] are you going to keep ron artest?

Page 1 Next >