Was wondering if there is any news on how TMAC's back is feeling after putting in 34 minutes last night? He mentioned in the post game interview that he would be curious to see how his back would respond in the morning? Any word coming out of today's shootaround or practice on how the back is feeling? Keeping my fingers crossed.
In this mornings Chron he said there was/is soreness at times, and that he doesnt think he will be 100% anytime soon. He also said he is glad they dont play until the weekend.
I am doing pretty good. We'll go 10-4 in November and be almost at .500 before the year is over. What people need to understand is that Tracy has had this back problem for 3 years yet it didn't slow him down because he took care of it. This year he seemed to overexert himself and changed his frame by adding weight. He had a absurd workout schedule during the summer. Most guys were at the beach. His body will get accustomed to the new musclature and the spasms will subside. It's not a structural issue, it's muscle spasms which can happen to anybody that overworks their back muscle. It just so happened that he has hurt that part of his body before so he is more predisposed than other players. He may not be as explosive now as he was in Toronto, but it's not because of his back. It's a combination of: 1) A choice he made to become a well-rounded player and rely less on his athleticism. He doesn't care anymore whether it's a layup or a dunk (2 points is 2 points). Earlier in his career he would always go for the spectacular dunk. He has learned to conserve his energy on other parts of his game, something called defense that JVG seems to stress. 2) He's a bit older and he is no longer the most athletic guy in the league. Jordan was the same way his last three years with the Bulls. When he came out of North Carolina he was reckless like Dwyane Wade. Wade will adjust his game too if he gets better in other areas of his game (mainly shooting) One thing that I have noticed is that frail athletic guys like KG, T-Mac always get back quickly and their body has this amazing healing power. I think T-Mac will be fine for the rest of the season. I feel he's a much smarter bball player and he knows JVG"s systemhaving played one year under him. If the new pieces click and we develop some chemistry, I think we can have the same type of regular sesaon we had last year.
I read that somewhere else too. But didn't he hurt it in practice because he was undercut accidentally by Yao? He seemed fine last night (much better than he has looked all season). I did not notice him limping or grimacing and holding his lower back like he did in earlier games so that is a great sign. I love T-mac's game but sometimes I think he relies way too much on the outside shot and takes some ill advised ones. They are spectacular when they go in, but it would be so much better if he would drive it in more (he can get easier baskets and more FT's). I think sometimes he settles too much for long shots rather than take it to the hole (he seems to make it look so easy to beat his defender off the driblle, you would think he would do it more). Anyways, as long as he is healthy and can play, we have to be thankful.
Good post Macfan, I sure hope you are right. This team has proven that they can not survive without T-mac.
Seriously, we need to settle this between you and macfan, unless you two are the same guy and post under two different handles. Does anyone notice than when one of them posts the other...never mind Oh, and macfan, you know WAY too much about McGrady, what's up with that?
Well, it's a balancing act. Sure, it would be better if he took it inside more, but at what price are you willing to take that? He did that a lot in Orlando, but I think the injuries he's had have driven him more to the outside shot to try and avoid too much banging inside the paint, because his body is just not built like Lebron's for example. I believe this balancing approach he takes now is better for him long-term and will help prolong his career a bit more; people forget that MJ was a jump shooter the latter part of his career and didn't go inside his much, but he still retained that IQ edge over his opponents (which McGrady undoubtedly has) and he used that to give him an edge over every one else. IMO, that's what makes guys like AI that much more impressive, because that little guy has been taking incredible punishment over the years and still plays the same way pretty much. Wade is still very young (in NBA years) but I have no doubt he will change his approach sooner or later when he's hammered a few times and it results in a major injury. That's my opinion though, I don't want him to go inside too much, although he does do that every now and then and that's fine with me. Mixing it up a bit is the best solution.
No offense macfan but u seem to be the only fan who comes here just because of T-mac. I cant believe such a brilliant player wont attract more his followers. If Kobe is traded to Houston tomorrow, I guess there are at least hundreds of his followers here. Laker forums are full of die hard Kobe only fan.
We could always have another bet (ALA TJ and RM95, only I wouldn't chicken out of the bet like TJ... ZING!). but seriously, I'm the real T-Mac. I post here whenever I'm on the team plane.
