Houston did everything in its might to make Pippen comfortable. It showered him with affection, often in the form of limos, and made sure that no one in his extended family ever has to work again.

Then, it made all these changes over the offseason to get the run-and-gun offense Pippen wants. Francis, Anderson, and Pippen would make the Rockets one of the best fastbreaking teams in the league.

But Pippen wants to quit. He now refuses to play on the same team as Barkley, whom he called one of his best friends last season. Barkley even defended Pippen for having such a miserable season earlier this week.

Before the season began last year, Barkley, a free agent, promised Pippen he would re-sign if Scottie were traded to the Rockets. They agreed to come on board together, and now Barkley is making the trip to the doctor's office to have the knife in his back removed.

Et tu, Scot-tay?

The proposed trade isn't a good one for the Rockets. They would trade one star player for six ranging from scrub to solid. So it's obvious they do not want to make this deal.

If Pippen would apologize, shut up and play, the Rockets would forgive him and be one of the top five teams in the NBA.

He may have gone too far, however. He got personal in his attack of a teammate, one who is more important to the team than Pippen. Nevertheless, Houston has to wonder whether getting rid of a surly player is worth strengthening a Western Conference opponent in Portland, which might even ship Pippen to the Lakers.