I'm thinking of Brent Price and his broken arm - I don't remember if it happened on the floor. He had a history of injuries - McGrady doesn't need to test his durability hitting the floor.
I think T-Mac doesn't dive all over the floor because his ability allows him to not do that 99 percent of the time. So often, they guy is just so much quicker and bigger than his opponents that he really just has to reach out and the ball is right there. Also, I think people mistake his ease on the floor with laziness or lack of hustle. I've been watching basketball for almost 30 years and RARELY do you see a guy with these kinds of gifts on the floor. It is like everyone else is moving at half speed. This may, at times, seem like casualness on McGrady's part, but it is just that the guy is better and quicker than most every other player on the floor.
It was a torn ACL, not broken arm and he did do it while diving for a ball. Plenty of guys have been hurt doing it, but, again, I don't see that as the reason why McGrady isn't on the floor.
It's just awesome the way TMac is playing right now. Everyone was initally going on about how he's the kinda player who would try and own the team, rather than running through Yao, but it's obvious that that image was from his early years and the time in Orlando. I mean, come on.. anyone who had been in Orlando the past few seasons would be working to pad their own stat lines in hope of making a quick getaway, what else would you expect from someone with superstar potential? TMac had/has to prove that he was worth more than being a leading scorer which many put to pathetic teammates.. he wanted to win, he chose Houston, he knew exactly what he was getting into and how he'd have to alter his game and work with Yao to form a dominant duo in the tough West. I really doubt he's gunning for the scoring title this year, it's all about winning this time.. and he knows that he's gonna be involved and playing team ball.. and with his handling skills and how he's sorta like Magic and Anfernee, shaped as a big PG, he's going to be pulling the rest of the team together real nicely and getting everyone invovled. We're in for a good year fellas.. Go TMac & Yao Ming!
I didn't see this earlier, but I'm glad someone mentioned Gervin. The first few games I've watched McGrady brought back memories of the Iceman finger rolling in that hellish sweatbox, the Hemisphere Arena in San Antonio. They both have that oh-so-easy flow to their games - that look of laziness that is really just smoothness. Good call on that one. I know a lot of people have suggested Magic, but that guy was really, REALLY unique. He saw the floor like no man his size EVER has and he could control an entire game from every position on the floor - post up to point guard. T-Mac is a skilled passer and certainly has handles, but his main focus is and always should be score first.
It's really a shame that Francis isn't smarter as a player (although it's Orlando's shame now). Can you imagine what kind of monster player he would be with that one crucial missing piece? Steve + BB IQ would be a taller, stronger, 21st-century version of Isiah Thomas. Steve without the BB IQ is, um... a slightly less grumpy Stephon Marbury.
I was at the game today and it's so weird watching t-mac play. He looks as if he just jogs into the lane at 150mph... yes, JOGS AT 150MPH. He is that quick and fast and he does it so effortlessly. He can shoot over anyone, drive past anyone, take care of the ball when doubled, has excellent handle, and great court vision. Instead of an arrogant expression he has a look LOL. I now see why people say "he makes the game look easy". He is truely one of a kind.
Actually, during one of the interviews, he said he was a big fan of Scottie Pippen. TMac is just a basketball player with great athletism, which is rarely seen in today's NBA. There are so many athletes, not enough players in this league today.
Exactly. T-Mac makes it look easy, and off the court, he's quiet, not very demonstrative. So critics say he doesn't care. I can't wait for some moments, though, like when Orlando played the Milwaukee of three years ago in the playoffs, and T-Mac literally made me exclaim, "Holy #&^#%!" at least five times a game, and shake my head in wonder. Then he would sidle up to Glenn Robinson (who could still play then) and smile, jawing in his ear.
Laziness? smoothness? Quick or fast? It's an illusion. Well, kinda... Something thing people should be looking out for are some of these factors that McGrady has over other opponents. 1) His Leg/Arm length (rangy, but balanced) 2) His hand size (ability to palm the ball; helps his accurate passing; passes the bball like a softball) 3) Knows the angles/leverage/timing; doesn't just depend on his quickness (not necessarily quick like Iverson) 4) His natural speed/quickness -- whatever that may be -- coupled with the factors above Although, he has an excellent cross-over thats quick. It's NOT *just* pure quickness. But rather, the angles and timing he knows his *unique* body can do. His arm length, hand size, and knowing the angles allows him to drive past people -- in "slow motion" and under control -- because he can keep the ball AWAY from his opponents reach (like Dr. J or Gervin). So, although he's not going at the same speed, as say Allen Iverson or Dwayne Wade, he has such a good angle on the drive/crossover that he basically has MOST of the leverage to drive past his opponents, keeping the ball safe from reach. This is what gives him that "casualness" or Gervin-like "smoothness." While it's true that he IS moving fast. It's also true that there are other factors that allow him those open drives and lay-ups to the basket. It's not a merely relying on ones speed. There's purpose to each movement. Very little wasted motion. Very little over-dribbling. Efficiency in his every action. This takes knowing ones ability and limitations. Also knowing the angles and timging of each motion. He makes the game look easy. He's deliberate in every action, even not at full speed. He can "take his time." All this creates that *illusion* of "smoothness" or "casualness." <---(TMAC) By the way Jeff. Excellent analysis --> Why the Rockets Will Improve
I'm not trying to one-up you Jeff, but Price did break his arm diving for a ball...he also tore his ACL on a fastbreak after an awkward pass he made just passed midcourt. The dude had too many major injuries...with his great 3pt shooting we would've been a lot more dangerous along with Barkley, Dream, and Glyde.
I think T-Mac is all-around smart, and not just in BB. I was impressed by how he engineered his trade to Houston by exploiting a technicality in his contract. That sleepy look of his is very deceptive. In fact, after a hall-of-fame career as a player, I think T-Mac will have another hall-of-fame career -- as a GM. He's more than smart enough to do it if he wants to.
How can you be sure that it was not agent who was behind this move? Anyway, TMac is an exceptional player whose game fits Yao's game very well. SF3 is great, but his game does not complement with Yao's game.
Yes, T-Mac's agent could have been the one who engineered the trade to Houston. But in that case, T-Mac still gets props from me for picking a great agent. After all, picking the right people is 90% of a GM's job. I still think T-Mac was the prime inventor of his exit strategy. If his agent was responsible, why hasn't it happened before? Surely T-Mac wasn't the first disgruntled superstar with a year left on his contract. T-Mac was by no means a free agent, so the Orlando management should have had the hammer. Yet with a few carefully chosen words T-Mac effectively made himself a free agent, and left Orlando with absolutely no palatable alternatives. That was a stunning masterstroke, like a "forced move" in chess. I'm impressed not only with what he did, but when he did it. (See cousin Vince for an example of doing exactly what T-Mac did, but at the wrong time.) I'm beginning to think that T-Mac's signature, his greatest talent both on and off the basketball court, is his devastating timing. Ahem. Sorry for babbling on like this. I'm certainly not living up to my moniker, am I? You can thank a really nasty head-banging cold for grounding me for the last few days; I would have been bored out of my skull without Clutch BBS.
One thing I've noticed about McGrady is that he doesn't rely on his athleticism. His success lies in his feel for the game, and incredible length. He's quick and athletic but I don't think he's THAT much greater than his peers in those categories. What he is is an exceptional ball handler for a man of his size, very long, and very patient. He doesn't waste movement but rather picks his spots. He reminds me of John Stockton after age 33. He didn't waste movements, but rather made the right move at the right time. This feel for the game, along with length and ball handling is what sets McGrady apart from the rest. All qualities that made Magic Johnson the greatest point guard of all time.
Tmac will set a standard! Rockets is absolutely on their next level. Beating Grizz in memphis and then the Kings at home without major overhaul and adjustments on their team, While Rockets lost the back court duo and add Tmac on the rosters. PRICELESS!!!! Just can't wait til' they play again!!
Quote HoustonForever Member Posts: 180 Joined: Nov 2002 Member: #8593 ber ) .... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6423630/ It's nice to see voluntary cooperation among the Rockets - Tracy is encouraging Yao and has easily fit in with sharing scoring/leadership responsibilities with Yao. I'm confident both Yao and Tracy will silence their naysayers. Quite right. The players in the team change a lot in team play this year compaire with last year. They are smart and play a fluently basketball.
Perfect. I once played a pickup game and one of the payers on the opposing team (full court, five man teams) was a Div 1 college player. He would have c=gotten in big trouble if the coach had known, but he pleyed. This guy had probably 1/20th of McGrady's talent, but he was so much better than everyone else on the court that he played with zero effort and dominated on both ends. A player was trying to score against him, he would just stand there and jump at the last minute to block the shot. Stand there, some how get to the rim for an easy layup. The talent difference is not as great for McGrady in the NBA, but he definitely does not have to try as hard as 99.8% of the NBA. People need to remember that this is the kid that was considered the best basketball player in North Carolina - at any level - when he was a junior in high school and Glen Rice was in his all-star prime. And, yes, I have followed him since he was a sophomore. I don't know why, but he immediately caught my attention and I have kept track ever since.
Let me add to the McGrady worship I've only caught one game this year (vs. Sacramento) but I'm amazed at McGrady's playmaking ability. The economy of motion of his drives, he just makes everything look so smooth. That play where he faked using the pick at the 3-point line, then drove baseline for the layup, he took ONE DRIBBLE! I never saw him go between the legs, cross-over endlessly, and try to juke defenders that way. Didn't see him force many shots either. And when he does decide to create his own shot, he just knifes past everyone as if they were standing still. The play where he jump-stopped through the heart of the defense for a lay-up was just amazing. Also his passing is incredible. Glad to have him in Houston.
