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Q: Do you think Houston should trade Tracy McGrady? Do you think T-Mac wants to be traded?
— Anthony, Bolingbrook, Ill.

A: I actually think they'd like to, but there's probably little chance they can get reasonable value. So the Rockets will likely keep McGrady and figure they need to have one good shot with Yao Ming healthy — if that is now possible given the recurrence of lower extremity injuries — and with Rick Adelman as coach. I get the sense after some issues with Adelman earlier in the season, McGrady has settled in and is fine with the Rockets. The issue is McGrady's back problems, which could arise at any time. But now, with 25,000 minutes and turning 30 next year, McGrady probably is going to stick it out with the Rockets for some time.

Q: It's time for Elton Brand to play for a ring. A perennial good guy on a bad team, can he afford to go to Miami when Houston could use his skills as a big man and pay for it?
— Dave Young, Katy, Texas

A: Lots of Rockets interest this week, it seems. Brand has an opt-out in his contract, but I believe there's no chance he'll exercise it since he'll be paid $16.4 million next season. It makes no sense to give that up. Plus, Brand was out much of last season and needs to show he's in full health again. He does like L.A. and is involved in the movie business. I believe he'll take a hard look at where the Clippers are next season, and if they don't look like they'll make progress, I see Miami letting Shawn Marion go after next season and going after Brand, whom Pat Riley once tried to sign.

Q: What is going on with the players always questioning the referees' calls? Of course they are going to make mistakes. Have you ever seen a referee question why a player made a bad pass or missed a shot? I think the coaches need to take better control of the players.
— George J. Brown, Bailey, Mich.

A: Wow, an unbiased thinking fan. I didn't know there were any. Good for you. I know plenty of referees and believe they try to make the right call and do the best they can. They have a rigorous system of checks and review all their calls, even as quickly as halftime. They make mistakes and are told about them and graded against them. Basketball is perhaps the most difficult to officiate because contact is allowed in certain places and not in others. One time there was supposed to be no contact. So referees are forced to use judgment. I wish players would more often just shut up and play. The problem is some of the biggest complainers are some of the game's biggest stars, like Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. Like the "Seinfeld" show where he comes to boo an audience member, I wish sometimes referees could be quoted on bad shots taken and dumb plays. The referee friends I have know the mistakes as most have played on some level and study game film. What fun that would be.

Q: What happened to Adam Morrison? He was drafted by the Bobcats. This guy was a great shooter and I knew he had health problems.
— Neal Golden, Lords Valley, Pa.

A: He missed last season with surgery and became a forgotten man with the Bobcats as they got a new coach, made a major deal for Jason Richardson, who plays Morrison's position, and Bernie Bickerstaff left. My guess is they'll listen to any offers if anyone is interested. But given Morrison didn't play last season and was inconsistent as a rookie, there's likely little value anymore and he'll have to prove himself. The Bobcats will hope he can give them some bench depth, but new coach Larry Brown isn't usually thrilled with young players who like to shoot.

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