Richard Justice on TMac's baggage

We won't even get into the last time that Richard Justice wrote an article worth reading.....

 

I guess Justice got sick of going nuts on the Astros. And no way in hell he gets out of Houston alive if he complains about the Texans.

Myself, I'd have chosen team USA's pathetic loss yesterday.

 

This should come as no surprise to anyone who has researched T-Mac's history. Whether folks want to admit it or not, T-Mac did bring quite a bit of baggage with him to Houston. That's why I'll be paying close attention to how he reacts to JVG's stern no nonsense demeanor. I expect to see a few fireworks between these two during the season. It may very well wind up like the AI-Larry Brown episode at Philly. You have a star NBA player who's used to getting his way vs. an oldschool coach who could not give a F what the star player wants or thinks. It promises to be very interesting...

 

Exactly, though the timing of off. But we would be fooling ourselves to think McGrady doesn't have his baggage. I also will be interested to see how his relationship with JVG plays out. I know T-Mac has said all the right things, but only time will tell.

 

Justice is bringing the east coast flavor to the south. He is saying what we hope is not the case. I am starting to like the guy.

 

Van Gundy isn't a player's coach like Doc, so we'll see what happens. I think even McGrady understands he's walking into a boot camp outfit.

Evan

 

I don't mind him pointing it out at all.

Hakeem had major issues too, and he came around.

DD

 

I hope TMac (did I get the name right?) has thought through a little bit of what Van Gundy is all about.

Because he definately isn't going to take anything.

I can see TMac benched the first time he bucks JVG.

Don't want to think about it... mind if I put my head back in the sand.

Best thing would be for TMac to be a year older and a year wiser and to be prepared for basic training with Sgt. Van Gundy.

 

I work in HR - and a good rule of thumb is to never hold it against a talented professional when they develop a bad attitude while working for a bad employer, but if they get their "dream job" and still find fault... then you have a pattern disgruntled employee.

I had T-mac and Gooden on a fantasy basketball team last year, so I followed the Magic a little closer than most people (including some people in Orlando ) - and from what I read in the papers and on-line (fan articles and boards) the Magic ownership and front office apparetnly leaves something to be desired. Apparently, after losing to the Rockets in 1995 - the organization has been going down hill very quicklym starting with losing Shaq, making a few bad signings (including Hill) and firing Doc Rivers. They also have to plan for the future, and the fan base is dwendling.

After reading all these articles during the season last year, I would be hesitant to judge any player by the time he spend on that team. For example, Drew Gooden is a great, raw talent - but the Magic coaching staff could not get him and Howard on the floor together - so he was moved to the bench - then forced to play a Center. He could not develop. I predect that he too is relieved to get away and will fit nicely as Boozer's replacement in Cleveland (getting rebounds and garbage points).

T-mac thought he had his dream job in Orlando - but it turned out to be working for a poorly managed group. Now, he (and Howard) work in a first class franchise (Houston) in a slightly different role. I am optimistic that T-mac, Lue, and Howard (and even Gaines?) will also show improvement in their overall play - now that they can be a part of a good organization and fit as pieces into a real system. If he gets an attitude here - he really will be labeled a malcontent.

Just remember he is only 25, and still trying to figure out what he wants - maybe he will take to making the Western Conference Finals - and retire a Rocket

 

I dont see all that happening with coach JVG. I think Tmac was ready to leave orlando a longtime ago and his frustrations came out. He'll be a totally different player in H-town.

 

T-Mac should be able to face the music by now. No reason to be sensitive with the guy.

Can the Chronicle trade Justice? I think he's become a cancer in the side of the Astros, Rockets and Longhorns. Somebody at least tell him to leave the Texans alone.

 

I thought the guy was off kiler, until I heard him light into the Astros on 610 one morning.

now he's my hero

(at least with his baseball coverage)

 

That's just it. Richard J strikes at so many negative chords, eventually he will hit yours. I would like him better on the radio then showing up on the front of my sports page with his brand of bull****.

 

Aside from KG and Duncan, every superstar in the league brings baggage.

Iverson, Webber, Wallace, Vince, Kobe, Marbury, Francis....

There are other exceptions too I guess, probably Nowitzki.... Although he has yet to prove he's a franchise player.

The thing is, the miscroscope is realy focused in on these superstars, which is why we hear more about them and their "baggage".

 

I hope McGrady brings several tons of baggage. I hope he shuts down Houston's freeway system moving it from the airport to his pad. I hope airport security has a nervous breakdown trying to check it out. Hell, I hope whichever rookie has to lug his stuff needs to go to a hospital (for a short stay) from carrying Tracy's junk for him.

In short, I hope he needs it, because he's going to be here for a long, long time. But he better pick a crib ASAP, or there's no telling what will happen to it all. This is Houston. Don't leave your goodies laying around.

Baggage can be good. More baggage can mean a longer stay.
Justice would do us all a favor by moving to Utah to write about the Spazz. That would be poetic justice!

 

Didn't Justice just write an article about how the team became so much more mature by getting rid of Stevie, Cat and Cato? Now he is bashing T-Mac? Make up your mind. I guess he has nothing else to write about.

 

To be fair, that column was about Ward and Sura.

 

I don't mind it being said. I mind Richard Justice saying it.

This is the guy that often starts his columns with things like, "Nolan Ryan is a friend of mine," or "ESPN's Tim Kirtchen and I go way back." Hint: no one cares.

He loves to drop names and exclaim his intellegence. He said the Rockets would have a difficult time signing Fisher because he would command the maximum contract. He claims Charlie Ward is the perfect point guard after claiming Fisher was perfect.

He has zero consistency when it comes to writing, particularly about basketball which, frankly, he has no business discussing. He's a baseball writer plain and simple. I don't want baseball guys writing basketball columns when they don't know what they are talking about.

Whenever he is on Lance and John's show, he has some of the dumbest responses when it comes to football and basketball. He asked Vic Fangio from the Texans the other day if Antoine Peek was going to be able to drop into coverage because he knew the Texans were concerned about his coverage skills. Fangio paused for a second and then said (sounding puzzled), "Actually, he is one of our best cover linebackers. We aren't worried about him at all in coverage."

DOH!

Just stick with what you know and don't make predicitions or statements you can't back up with actual knowledge.

 

i thought someone here last week said he doesn't like being called TMac? which is it?