At this juncture, I thought it might be appropriate to go back and look at the questions that Tmac has emphatically answered which lingered over the team before the season: A. Tmac is selfish... His effectiveness as the initiator of the offense and playmaker for others has been a godsend for this team. Before Sura/Barry/Wesley arrived, that important job was manned by Ward/Lue. Tmac has shown that he can effectively balance getting teammates involved while also knowing when to take over a game. B. Tmac is a lazy/bad defender... Again, with JJ gone, Tmac has become the primary defender at the 2/3, and he has done a very good job. While not quite ALL-NBA, he has still been able to rise to the competition when challenged. Also great at anticipating plays for easy steals and blocks. C. JVG's system will not allow a 20PPG scorer... Many (myself included) wondered if the restraints of the JVG system would hinder his tremendous talents, but he is now solidly in the top 5 in PPG, right between LeBron and Dirk. That was almost unthinkable at the beginning of this year. D. Tmac is not as good as Francis (he's much, much better)... I don't intend this to bash Steve, but it is clear this team has become much better at closing out games, and Tmac has been leading the way. He has personally accounted for three wins by himself with incredible second-half finishes. Now, when it is a close game in the 4th, rather than praying for something other than a turnover, I cannot wait to see what unbelievable play Tmac will make to win the game. In short, our Franchise is in much better hands, now and long-term, thanks to the arrival of Tmac. He is the type of go-to, clutch playmaker who raises his game at will when the game reaches crucial moments, and every possesion matters. So while this season has been dissappointing, from Yao's lack of fortitude to JVG's often-uninspired team as a whole, whenever I start to focus on the negative, I just remind myself that as long as we have Tmac, we finally have found a true centerpiece to build a championship team around....and everything is OK.
I thought the exact opposite when he came here. I wanted him to take more control and shoot more often.
All you have to do is look at the numbers T-Mac is the better player end of story.He is very unselfish,as JVG said I think he is going to be an all defense candidate and he a good rebounder.I love how he can make plays for the rest of the team with the ball in his hands especially late in games when the defense takes Yao in the low post away.As good a one on one player as Stevie is he is only 6'3 and there were a lot of instances where he was unable to get a good shot off whether at the end of games or when the shot clock was expiring.Thats where T-Mac being 6'8 is a huge advantage.I know you all remember the end of game 4 of last years playoff series when Stevie shot the air ball.I would like to think Tracy would have got a shot off.We will never know if it would have gone in.I'd like to find out in this years playoffs.
Here's an interview from tmac's website, i found this question and answer interesting: Q: DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL GAME-WINNING SCENARIO (THREE-POINTER AT THE BUZZER, BLOCKING A SHOT TO SEAL A VICTORY, ETC.). TMAC: I just ran off 15 straight points to put our team back into the game. We are down by 1 and there is about 10 seconds to go. I have the ball and I am isolated at the top of the key. I break my man down and the defense collapses on me. I kick it to one of my guys and they hit a three, and that is the ball game sounds a lot like what he did against the spurs, except that he uh shot it himself instead http://www.t-mac.com/tmac/about.aspx?AboutId=One on One
I think it tells you a lot about him wanting his teammates to step it up and do better. He knows that is what will make him a winner, better teammates that he can trust enough to make a shot when it counts. I really think T-Mac wants to finally feel confortable with his teammates and develop a bond with them on the court. It looks like he wants to not have to go through what he went through last year with the Magic: not trusting his teammates after screwing up one time after another.
BTW, here is another one of the questions from the same website that indicates T-Mac's distaste for the zone defense. Yao, I think T-Mac understands your frustrations IF YOU COULD ADD, DROP OR AMEND ONE NBA RULE, WHICH ONE WOULD IT BE AND WHY? TMAC: I would have to drop the 3-second rule on defense. This is a man's league and a man's game. If you can't defend someone without having to play a zone you shouldn't be playing. Once you get to this level it is basically one-on-one, and you have to hold your own.
He is talking about himself, he couldn't hold his man down and need Yao come out of the paint to cover his man, softy mac.
do you honestly believe that? can you truely be that blind? \ question for you..... do you consider Vince Carter to be a elite player? if so....look at this vid and tell me what you see. TMac shuts down VC late in the 4th
Stop show off those the unwatchable vedio, i have whole game dvd record, learn the word " shut down" before the post, Vince score 5 points in 4th quarter, that play which you show off is vince draw the double team for wide open J. Kidd, who missed and Yao reb, and You call this "shut down", You must .........
If you like just bang your head, who cares, You guys just blind with the fact Memac is weak defender.
Whats up with all the recent Tmac hate? I cant understand it, he has single handedly carried the Rockets to 4 straight wins against tough teams. Isnt this the time we should be proclaiming him as God?
Lost in that setup that led to that late 3 by tmac was the great coaching play call that sent Sura to the baselin sucking the entire Spurs team thereby leaving tmac open for the uncontested 3-pointer. Great stuff from JVG. PS. His substitutions and times were great as well. I liked especially in the 3rd when he allowed Yao to play with 3 fouls early. Yao responded by playing smarter. Great game all around for any student of Xs and Os.
