[Philippine News] Tracy McGrady: Humble superstar

Looks like the people up in Asia and Philippines really respect T-Mac and appreciate him. Check this out.

TRACY MCGRADY: Humble superstar

By Arman Armero

ONE of the true hallmarks of greatness is humility, and Houston Rocket’s Tracy McGrady has tons of it.

McGrady, who leaped to National Basketball Association superstardom right after completing his high school studies at Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham, North Carolina, could have sulked after he wasn’t picked to play for the United States team currently seeing action in the Fiba World Championship in Japan.

After all, McGrady’s numbers in the not-so-recent past are strong arguments for inclusion in the star-studded US squad. He was the NBA’s scoring champion in 2002-2003 while with the Orlando Magic and a five-time NBA All-Star player.

But a spate of injuries—including a chronic back spasm that forced him to sit out several games last year—slowed him down, and this may have been a major factor why his name didn’t register when the coaches made their selection.

“They can win the gold even without me,” McGrady simply said, adding that the current US team is “awesome.”

The 27-year-old McGrady, the ninth-pick overall of the Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA Draft, also has inspiring words for Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James, two key members of the US team which, as of this writing, is still unbeaten.

“They’re very exciting players, who could become the NBA’s greatest players in the future,” said McGrady, who considers Michael Jordan as the greatest basketball player ever.

As for himself, McGrady said he’s more of a team player whose main goal is to win games for his team.

“I’m a versatile player. I’m a player who is not one-dimensional, someone who can do it all—shoot, pass, rebound, play defense, get my teammates involved—and just do it all.”

McGrady was in the country until yesterday for the third stop of his four-city Asian tour. His last stop will be in Hong Kong.

While here, the 6’8” McGrady participated in community events, held basketball clinics, played in the celebrity all-star game, visited national landmarks and touched base with his fans, whom he first met back in 2000.

“I’m just excited to be here,” said McGrady, noting the Filipinos’ passion for the game of basketball.

McGrady also took time to launch and promote the limited edition T-Mac 1, a distinctively all-white—except for a stylish understated gold Olympic motif—which will be individually numbered and carries a signature by the NBA superstar himself.

McGrady, who plays both shooting guard and small forward for the Rockets, is the only lifetime endorser of adidas, which means that his contract will extend beyond his playing years.

“This is actually my third time in Asia, and I continue to look forward to these trips every year,” McGardy said. “I appreciate all that my fans have done for me on these tours and look forward to meeting more of them this year and thanking them for their support.”

Last summer, McGrady’s tour of Asia has excited his fans and did much to promote NBA basketball throughout the region. This year, he had been to Seoul, Korea, Guangzhou in China before stopping by Manila.

But merely hours before hopping the plane bound for Hong Kong, McGrady left a gem of wisdom for aspiring Filipino basketball players.

“Work hard. I was definitiely blessed with talent, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t work hard.”

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