http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4407924.html McGrady still sidelined Though Rockets guard Tracy McGrady had no setbacks following his workouts Thursday and Friday and no additional problems were found in Saturday's exam, he was declared out for today's game against the Clippers and almost certainly for Wednesday's in Portland. McGrady saw Dr. Robert Watkins, the specialist who examined him after his back injury in March, and will see him again Tuesday, hoping to be cleared for more demanding workouts. Rockets trainer Keith Jones said a condition such as McGrady's back spasms suffered Dec. 9 normally would require 12 to 14 days off. But because McGrady has on several occasions had the pain disappear ahead of schedule, he has been listed as day-to-day.
Bummer man 12-14 days is too long and we all thought we could afford the losses but not if we're going to go WINLESS. Clippers definitely going to be tough to beat but Blazers shouldn't be TOO hard considering we got this guy named Yao Ming. It's the clutch we're really missing though. Anyone think he'll be back against Spurs?
It seems to me that he could have played as soon as tomorrow, but they want to get the official word from the doc.
With this injury, from what I understand, he's never going to 'heal' from it. What he's going to do is wait until the pain goes way, the 'inflammation of the tissue' or whatever it is, and then play until it happens again. That's how it has been his whole career and that's what they are looking for. He's going to be cleared for more aggressive drills soon so they have to see how his back will respond to that AND THEN let him back on the court and hope this doesn't happen again for a while. I get it. Better not rush him back while we've built a slight cushion. Let him get his rest until his back is back to normal, yes?
The Rockets organization and their fans are being held hostage by Tmac's back, and there is nothing we can do about it. It's not Tmac or anyone's fault, just our luck that Tmac's got a bad back. It's getting more depressing everyday, cus you know his back will never be 100% again. you never know when it will give him problem again, we are pretty much screwed.
He'd better not hurry back. I believe we will win the next several games even without Tmac. Losing 3 games this week is just the growing pain.
I know the U.S. is the most developed country with the most advanced science and technology, but I suggest the some chinese ways of treatment, acupuncture or something else as you suggested. Chinese medicine and traditional treatment are amazing in many cases.
I also think that Tmac can try some Chinese traditional treatments, acupuncture or sth else. Maybe it will work. God bless him!
The problem, I believe, is that those treatments loosen your back up while T-Mac is trying to strengthen his back up. I'm just speculating but I don't think T-Mac wants his back to be super-relaxed. His back muscles should be strengthen and trained. What I don't understand is why we don't know the EXACT details of what's wrong with T-Mac's back.
I'm not sure what your're referring to by "those treatments". One thing I know is that exercises like Taichi do NOT "super-loosen" your back. They give you more control of your own muscle. The only "problem" is that it takes your own efforts to work out and it takes time. And that makes it less appealing for people who are getting used to the "magical" medicine and "magical" treatment.
The only thing keeping me through this is the hope that once he comes back he will be able to lead us to a long win streak and perform nicely. It's so depressing when he hasn't played in so long and no one really knows if he will come back like normal.
My guess is that he has tried everything known to man, short of surgery. Don't you think, with Yao Ming as his friend and teammate, not to mention Yao's entourage, that he would be aware of those options? If we can't get him "back," and able to play the majority of games, and in the playoffs, considering our bench, and especially who we have playing point, we are well and truly ****ed.
Ehh... you seriously don't think we can beat the Clippers or the TrailBlazers? I mean the LA Clippers should be a test - but we should easily defeat Portland. In those two games I think it depends on how Alston, Bonzi, and Head plays. If they have good games we'll win. You know Yao will get his points...
Has anyone noticed how much we're struggling not only offensively, but defensively as well without T-Mac? Just watching him play, I could never understand why people thought he was anything less than a rock solid defender, but this makes it even more clear. We allow so much penetration without him in the lineup. Plus, as much as he works his butt off, Luther just isn't big enough to stop a lot of people at his position. This is now FIVE STRAIGHT games where we have allowed 100+ points. Ridiculous.
I've just heard he has chronic back spasms; this is usually due to weak back muscles. It is also very common since the back is one of the largest muscles in the body yet in on average it is one of the most underdeveloped. His "treatments" I'm sure have been anti-inflammatory agents to keep his pain in check. However when his back IS healthy he is working on back strengthening exercises to help prevent recurrences. I've also heard from some Orlando fans that he has a narrowing of the spine that flares up from time to time. I'm not an expert or anything (still a second year medical student), but this sounds like spinal stenosis. If this is true, then there's really not much you can due short of surgery. Other treatment options are largely supportive..
