or maybe its just because i've been watching classic Rockets games from 04-06 pretty regularly since the season ended. But I have to believe that McGrady can achieve the level of play again that saw him running roughshod over teams in the late 05 run to the playoffs and then his tremendous efforts in the Dallas series. I know, I know - alot has gone on since then. Age may be catching up with him, and wear and tear on his legs (and back and knee). But c'mon guys, this was only 3 seasons ago. He has all offseason now to get the surgery and refocus on getting everything (conditioning etc) in place for a serious tilt at the 2nd rd - and beyond - next season. He knows Phoenix and Dallas have taken a step back, perhaps creating an opening there...He knows we can take Utah with Yao and Rafer alongside him...he knows Scolandry will be in full force next season...and he will know that its now or never for him. For this to work obviously he also needs to commit to doing the work required, but I believe he has it in him. There will be alot of positivity to roll with come October. TMac can make it back into the MVP discussion next season. I believe.
technically, he was in the MVP discussion this season before sucking a lil bit to end the season but let's be real, it's all about health with this guy. he came into camp in shape, ready to go, was balling in the pre-season. in the first 9 games before any injuries, dude was beastly, leading the league in scoring, shooting 47%, getting to the ft line with ease, AND making them. injuries then occured. the elbow was minor so it didn't really affect him that much. he still avg 25ppg. but then the knees happened. his play and esp. his shooting went downhill from there. but he was also pacing himself (you saw how he stepped up his game in the playoffs despite the injuries). if tmac is healthy, he's confident and believes that he's the best and he'll play like it. if not, he'll be passive more often than not, which leads to an inconsistent tmac. let's hope for a speedy recovery. tmac needs to come into camp in shape again and hopefully he'll improve his game a little bit. he's still an elite player in this league. obviously, b/c of his injuries and inconsistency, he's a notch below the kobes/lebrons/paul. but he's the 4th best overall perimeter player right now. he can reach that super-elite status again if he stays healthy. in the playoffs, he put up 27ppg, 8.2rpg, 6.8apg. if only he was healthier, dude might have put up a triple double.
i havent read what u said yet, just noticed your post count ... over 32 posts a day? how do you do it? ok will read your reply now...
t_mac1 is actually a team of Tracy Mcgrady publicist who post under the same moniker. ...as far as the topic goes I don't think he had that bad of a year. Maybe by his standards or superstar standards but i don't think you can say that was really a bad season considering his play really tapered off towards the end when he had all the injuries. BUT, 3 years is a long time. It is very possible he won't return to his former self. Think about it, 4 years ago Eddie Jones was a star for the Heat and look where he's at.
I beleive this team will be in the NBA Finals next season and, unless the Celtics are somehow able to add more depth, winning the whole thing. Yao Scola/Landry Battier T-Mac Alston That's 6 players. You need 8 or 9 damn good players to win it all. Add someone who can challenge Skip for starting PG duties, a backup swingman and a hardworking big man and you have a championship. Here's what we have to add those players: first rounder (25th?), minium exception, MLE, Bobby Jackson, Steve Francis, Luther Head, and (I hate to say it, but if necessary) Chuck Hayes. That's enough to, for example, add Desagan Diop (remaining MLE), Mike Miller (trade involving Bobby's expiring) and Damon Stoudamire (slightly limited here, but Francis and Brooks may also take up this challenge). That would give us: Yao/Diop Scola/Landry Battier/Miller T-Mac/Miller Alston/(Insert low cost veteran signee, Francis or Brooks) That is one HELL of a line-up IMO. I would even be willing to do a sign and trade for Diop to save on the MLE (maybe deal Head + Hayes?). That still allows us to retain some young guys who can sit and develop while the big boys play (Novak, Brooks, Harris, maybe bring back G Green?). I think Morey is a bright guy and he will fortify this team very logically, which is all we need. No need to take risks this offseason.
Are you accounting for injuries on your hopes and expectations? Games Missed: '05 - 35 '06 - 11 '07 - 16 Other MVP candidates like Garnett, who is older than TMac has only missed 23 games in the last 3 years. Kobe Bryant who is also OLDER than TMac has only missed 7 games in the last 3 years and is currently playing on a full season. You are not deluded. Just misled.
I don't think he has the stamina anymore to play at such a high level for the entire season and a long playoff run. He needs to save himself during the regular season and start peaking at the right time. Most importantly, we can't have him put the team on his back for 20 straight games in the regular season anymore, as he did in the past. Although it's fun to watch, I think it contributes to his getting worn out late in the season. We can only avoid such a burnout if both he and Yao stay relatively healthy and miss fewer games. When one of our stars is missing for a long time, it puts the burden on the remaining guy to do too much.
LUTHER HEAD IS HIS BACK UP...LUTHER HEAD...get him a decent backup, i HIGHLY doubt he would get injured then.
I agree with you on all the moves. What do you guys think about Jamal Magloire, you think he has anything left in the tank?
He's what, 29? Kobe is older, has more mileage, and just won his first MVP. Don't give me that "he wants it more" crap, T-mac's back was bad for a couple of years and a lot of nagging injuries held him down this year. A resurgence is definitely within the realm of possibility. Not scoring title resurgence, since that would hurt the team, but resurgence of his quickness to the rim, finishing ability, and defensive tenacity. It won't come back to his all-star dunk contest form (a nostalgic video on Youtube with Vince Carter, T-Mac, and Francis all twice the athletes they are now) but it can come back somewhat.
He was injured throughout the season. I've said this before, when T-Mac is fully healthy, he is up there with the best of them (kobe,lebron,ect.). But with T-Mac, its not very often that he is 100% healthy.
