[Dirkenstien]

It's an interesting scenario. In order to have gotten McGrady our best package (post-Kidd) would have been:

Howard
Terry
and expiring contract (Jones?)

for T-Mac.

Would Houson have done that deal earlier this season when Howard was firing on all cylinders and Houston desperately needed another 3-point threat (Terry)? Here's what the lineups could look like when healthy:

Houston:
Ming / Mutumbo
Scola / Landry
Battier / Hayes
Howard / Terry
Alston / B.Jackson

Houston: would have some nice inside/outside action going on with 1-3 all able to shoot the 3 and with sharpshooters like Terry and Jackson coming off the bench. This would allow Ming to be their main guy while surrounding him with great hustle players who aren't afraid to do the dirty work.

Dallas:
Damp / Magloire
Dirk / Bass
Stack / George
T-Mac / Wright
Kidd / Lue

Dallas: Umm ... championship.