Tmac IS the best swingman in the league, right up there with Kobe. It's only a matter of focus and health with him. And right now, I'd say there is no other player more dominant than the way he is playing, if you take out the 2 games where he visibly coasted. I'm sure everyone saw the look McGrady had on his face against the Mavs. That's the face that fans who've followed Tmac through his career will tell you that it screams trouble for the other team. When Tracy is focused, he cannot be stopped. There is no question about it. We saw it when he scored 62, we saw it when he went off for 10+ games of 30+ points in the '02-'03 season, we saw it when he damn near killed the Pistons in that same season; in the Dallas series; when he went for 13 in 35. If Tracy wants it bad enough, he's going to get it no matter what you throw at him. If you can stop him shooting, he'll pass it, he'll find other ways to hurt you. Problem is, our team played exactly like the bottom-dwelling Orlando team in his last season there. Guys not being active, guys who couldn't hit shots when Mac got them a wide open look. It's sickening. What happened to Battier? What happened to Luther? Juwan was the only one who remotely brought it against the Mavs. And we all know when Juwan brings it by himself, it usually doesn't bode well for the team. If the role players hit their shots today, we win. Simple as that. And I don't know why George got as many good looks as he did. Dude has been a chucker his whole career. You just don't let him get looks at a 3-ball. But I digress. Seeing Tracy going off against the Mavs gave me goosebumps. He's been the best player in the league for the past stretch of 10 games or so. If he keeps this up, we might have a chance against the Suns. Just based on the fact that Battier and Luther cannot both be ice cold 2 games in a row.
He has all the talent in the world, no one ever questioned that. Where McGrady falls short from Bryant is his conditioning. Kobe can play 48 minutes at the same rate if he wanted to, he always has something left in the tank. McGrady can't, he will give you two quarters of high-energy play and -- on good nights -- possibly a third, but his stamina doesn't allow him to do it for an entire game, he tires out at the end. His conditioning has been subpar for two seasons running now (if you count last season as a full one for him), I am sure the injuries have held him back somewhat in that aspect, but that's just how I see it. I can't complain though, he's easily the best player the Rockets can get at his position, we're lucky to have him. Comparisons are useless, all I can judge him by is how he plays and leads this team in less-than-ideal circumstances. He doesn't need to be anyone but himself and we will be alright when Yao gets back.
Just about 3-4 days ago, guys were talking about how great a team Rox are even without Yao Ming, talking about how Battier saved the day, how Juwon and Deke turned back the clock, how good our players are jelling, great team chemistry, blah blah. Just after one game lost to the league leader by not that big a margin, without the league's best offensive center, you hear this - Houston being the old Orlando.
People have off nites, happens to all players. Tracy was on yesterday and our supporting guys were off, nothing you can really do about that, esp. when you are getting killed on the boards the way we were.
rather people were excited because rockets were winning games that they should have been winning, instead of years past, finding some way to lose against those teams. BUT, the mavs, phoenix and spurs will show what the rockets are missing. obvious yao, but also other intangibles. in the mavs game, the bench was outmatched by the quickness of the bench of the mavs. the concern is not so much losing but really what is it going to take to get to the finals? in the quickness department, it is hard to see rockets matching up with either dallas or phoenix, but in my opinion, dallas is a stronger team than the suns. so hit the mavs with yao and strong halfcourt offense. This is the orimary way the rockets can beat the mavs, because simply rox cannot match their quickness. Spurs play kind of the same way as the rockets do, half court offense. my question is, with yao, can the rockets match up with spurs? spurs aren't as dominat this year as before, and the rox were finally able to beat them. I see some hop there. mind you, this is with the playoffs in mind. i am assuming the rockets will be able to handle utah, i don't think the rockets will be playing the lakers, but maybe they can overtake the spurs????????? rockets need to continue to beat the teams they should beat, and take a few here and there from the top teams, such as spurs suns, mavs etc... hold down this fort until yao, and get everyone on the same page in time for playoffs. what would be a goal, as far as seeding should the rockets shoot for? I think 5 would be a realistic spot...
It seems that when TMac is in a groove and draining his shots he drives the hole consistantly either to finish draw the foul or both. When his shots stop falling he stops driving to the basket. Just continues to try and shoot himself back in it. It hurts the team BIGTIME. Maybe it is just a stamina issue like mentioned above. If he did continue to at least draw fouls then there is some offense being produced. Just something I have noticed.
good posts. we almost had the mavs game last night. I think our team is really good. When's Tmac returning?
