CHRON: FEIGEN'S ROCKETS Q&A Trade Francis? He's not untouchable, but ...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2513448


<p>By JONATHAN FEIGEN
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

<p>Question: Please! Trade Yao Ming? The headline should have been "Trade Steve Francis, Please!" Let's start pushing this now, (Francis) must go. We can not win with him. If we have to make a bad trade, make it.
Darren in Humble
<p>Answer: Steve Francis is not untouchable. But the Rockets are not going into the off-season thinking they need to dump him. Interesting idea, though. The Rockets should make a bad trade, huh. There are things the Rockets need to do. I'm not sure I would suggest they really screw up, but it is an original idea.
<p>Trading Yao would be madness
<p>Q: I can't agree with JDK in Denver more. Trade Yao Ming. Two seasons of being pushed around by guys half his size and he still doesn't know how to be aggressive. Do you really think aggression can be taught?
Leong in Singapore
<p>A: The Rockets should not and will not trade Yao Ming. NBA executives spend their careers hoping to have a player like that come their way. He is not Kevin Garnett or Tim Duncan, yet. But to give up on a hard-working, deeply-caring, 7-foot-6 center with skills after two seasons would be insane.As I said yesterday, if the Rockets put him on the block, 29 teams would line up with offers. Teams of therapists would also line up to treat whoever made the deal.
<p>Hakeem has zero interest in coaching
<p>Q: What is Patrick Ewing's role on Jeff Van Gundy's staff? If its to help develop Yao's game, he might not be the right person. I think the obvious choice would be "The Dreamer" because he has a lot of knowledge of the game that can only improves Yao's game, by the way what is (Hakeem Olajuwon) up to these days? I've been reading all these critical comments sent in by the fans on Jim Jackson. I'm wondering if I been watching the same team they have all year. We should be praising Jim Jackson, he's the reason why the Rockets made it to the playoffs this year and is definitely the team's MVP. It would be a tragic mistake to get rid of him, I'm would like to see more players on the team with his kind of game.
Abe in Sugar Land
<p>A: Yao has improved this season. The improvement might not come as quickly as many would like, but he has gotten stronger and more assertive throughout the season. Patrick Ewing brings credibility and a work ethic and they do spend extra hours working on Yao's game. Hakeem has zero interest in being an assistant coach. None. He has been living in Jordan, but does maintain his Houston home.
<p>Draft won't help Rockets that much, but off-season moves might
<p>Q: About power forward choices, is someone in the draft like (Emeka) Okafur good enough to help the team quickly?
Eugene in Milpitas, Calif.
<p>A: Emeka Okafor could quickly help a team looking for a power forward. The Rockets don't have a first-round pick, never mind one good enough to get a top five guy. It's not that difficult to pick up a late, and maybe even a mid- first-round pick But those guys are not generally immediate contributors, especially inside. I wouldn't count on the Rockets getting much help on draft night, though it could be a busy off-season.