I saw this about 3 weeks ago on the NBA channel and they were interview Ron Artest jr in the head departmetn (JR Smith). He said the most unbelievable thing he saw in the NBA was Tmac come out without ZERO warm up and hit 5 straight jumpers with hands in his face like he was shooting a layup. He gave Tmac more props than any other player when it comes to shooting.
McGrady is actually a very good mid-range shooter, considering the number of them he attempts and his ability to get them off with defenders on him. The two areas he has regressed significantly over the years is (1) 3-point shooting, and (2) finishing at the rim. And I'd put it in that order too. There's an interesting 82games article (here) that rates the best 3-point shooters each year. Based on the writer's metric, T-Mac's 3-point shooting ability has declined steadily since his spectacular 02/03 season. In that year, he was rated as an "elite shooter". Last year, he fell under the "below average shooter" category. That's a staggering drop for a player who's not yet crossed 30 and still roughly plays the same role on his team.
Duncan and Shaq's games can be ultra boring too. Me, all take a guy who finds a way to win over a guy who is better in style points any day. I agree. Even if Tmac could be as explosive in the lane as Lebron and Wade (which I don't think he can, 6 years ago, maybe), he couldn't last at it. Lebron, Wade and AI have been the best wing attackers post Jordan. Kobe I would fault more than Tmac, because Kobe physically probably could attack the paint even more than he does, like Tmac he gets too J happy and individualistic when the going gets tough. Or maybe today's Kobe just doesn't quite have Lebron/Wade's combination of quickness and strength (Lebron stronger, Wade quicker). Whatever it is, you can see the difference between Kobe vs great defenses in a long series (Pistons/Celts), and Lebron/Wade versus those type defenses. I am sure Tmac would have the same problems as Kobe, maybe moreso--but at least would not grip at his teammates publicly (except 1 time I can remember). Sure Kobe is a beast, but that doesn't mean he is the best. I read somewhere that Wade made 47/70 in the Olympics, Kobe went 48/104. Look at the stats below. Look at everything from shooting %, APG, RPG, SPG, etc http://www.usabasketball.com/seniormen/2008/stats/USA.HTM#team.ind Pretty obvious Wade and Lebron were the best and most efficient players. Crediting Kobe with the gold because of a great 5 minute stretch is like crediting Kobe for the Lakers' 3 titles after Shaq carried them for 3.5 quarters most games and Kobe is a great alternative during Hack-a-Shaq. Kobe is probably the best closer, the best guy to have the ball with time winding down and needing a single play. But Lebron and Wade are better over 48, and the difference is even greater over 336 minutes (cumulative 7 game series).
Actually style was not my issue. I just don't think he's as talented as he appears but incredibly physically gifted (i guess you could say that about Shaq as well). In a different era people would be able to D him up without being quicker (hand checking and such) or someone would have flat lined him going inside on them. Either way he wouldn't be able to get away with as much as he does in today's game. Basically, he benefits from hand-checking rules more than anyone else in the game. It seems almost like a technicality. So much of his game would have to change in a setting that allows hand-checking.
Tmac was never a good finisher around the rim even in orlando. but the regression in three point shooting is valid. he really needs to concentrate on getting better as a post scorer. he has all the tools to do it now. he is not quick enough anymore to beat the more agile SG's of the league anymore, but he has the ability to post them up regulary and kill them in the low post. that what he was doing to brewer.
While I am not going to argue T-Mac has great shot selection (he simply doesn't), it is unfair to compare him to LeBron or Wade in terms of getting to the rim. Wade is one of the quickest, most explosive slashers in the league, and has a nasty crossover to boot along with a strong body and amazing touch around the rim. LeBron has the body of T-Mac in 2003 + about 30-40 pounds and even more athleticism. Comparing either of their slashing ability to a guy who has dealt with back problems, knee injuries and overall a decline in athleticism simply is not fair. Wade and LeBron are 2 of the best in NBA HISTORY at getting to the rim. T-Mac at 29 years old, healthy or not, simply won't be taking the ball to the hoop as much as Wade or Bron do, or for that matter as much as T-Mac himself did 5-6 years ago. The more comparable player to look at in terms of driving ability is Paul Pierce...but again, he is considerably heavier than T-Mac and can take the pounding while still being able to finish.
While he's not quite the finisher he was a few years ago....he doest get a lot of help from the refs. I believe he gets hit alot on his finishes without calls. Unlike other wing players mentioned he doesn't throw his body around on his finishes....tries to finish around defenders than go thru them. Because of this he doesn't get a lot of calls
Tracy has become so underrated that a bunch of r****ds at insidehoops are picking davis over him. lol
At this point, we're only going to see superstar T-Mac at certain points during a game. He can't, and shouldn't have to, put a team on his back for an entire year (or half a year). With Yao and Artest on board, I think he's going to be more efficient and have a Paul Pierce type year (except better cause T-Mac is better than Pierce, IMO). Of course, Artest could end up averaging more points than Mac (doubtful), but T-Mac's impact will be far greater.
Are you sure about that??? Just go to Youtube and watch any Tmac highlight video from when he was in Orlando. He was still a good finisher at the rim in Houston in 04/05 and was still an okay finisher in the 06/07 season (his best overall season with the Rockets IMO). He was a great finisher with either hand, and at a long 6'8, he could get up over anybody with his vertical. I'll post a few videos if you would like...
Is it a coincidence that Dwade has major injury issues in his mid 20's?? The reason he has so many injuries is because he hasn't learned that his body can't take that kind of beating for 82 games. He is one of my favorite players, and I'm sure nobody would question his toughness physically and mentally. But the fact is, he is jeopardizing his production and athleticism by continuing to attack the rim and taking all of those hard fouls. Its hard to blame him, since he is not really a jump shooter, but he should develop one like Kobe, Lebron, Tmac, and even A.I. (he settles for jumpers more now). All of those guys were slashers and just attacked the rim early in their careers, but they all learned that attacking the basket takes a toll on your body over 82+ games. Tmac is smart, and knows that he can't always attack the rim with defenders waiting to foul him hard to make sure he doesn't finish. Back in the 90's we saw how explosive and great Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway were attacking the rim, but that caught up to them, since neither really developed a good jump shot and relied on attacking the rim all the time. Back then we couldn't even imagine them being unathletic and very limited production wise, but it happened. It can happen to Wade, Kobe, Lebron, anybody. Tmac knows this, and saw that first hand with Hill in Orlando, so he is doing what is best for his team and himself by waiting for the playoffs to attack the basket more.
You're showing only the highlights. obviously it's only going to show the great finishes. tmac was a great dunker. but he would miss alot of drives and floaters. but when it came to dunking, he was spectacular.
I'll give you that, but now instead of having to finish all the time like he had to in Orlando, he has teamates he can pass to, so its not needed as much. Yao is usually underneath for a dunk and we have 3 point shooters as well. But I still believe Tmac is one of the best when it comes to finishing with either hand, behind Kobe, Lebron, and Dwade.
You guys making it sound like T-Mac's athleticism as dwindled down to Chris Mullin levels. He can still blow past anyone in the league. He's the most graceful player in the league. Probably the best off-hand finisher in the league also. Yes his shot selection is poor, but at the same time he takes and makes what looks like the toughest shots in basketball history look effortless. The reason he doesn't go to the rim as much is the toll it takes on your body. Nobody ever says this, but D-Wade is more injury prone than T-Mac. Wade has missed more games than T-Mac over the past 3 seasons (which includes the season T-Mac played 47 games). Lebron is built like a tank, he could do whatever he chooses, especially since he's allowed to travel an extra step or 2. In due time even he will begin to pick his spots. Another thing is T-Mac doesn't see anywhere near the calls that Kobe, Lebron, and Wade see. Lebron just crashes into people and get his(sometimes rightfully though), Wade just jumps and flails about with no contact and still get his, Kobe you just can't get within 5 feet whether he's driving or shooting a jumper. Take the Jazz series for example. When T-Mac was driving against triple teams and getting whacked by at least 2 out of 3 defenders he wasn't getting any calls. When Kobe drives against the single coverage of the Jazz he was getting the call for about 1/4 the contact.
If McGrady comes into the season pain free and his body dosent let him down, he will be up there as a top 5 player. healthy mcgrady is a top 3 overall primeter player. now by healthy, i mean not having any major injuries. i think it's a given that from here on tracy will allways carry a few nagging little minor injuries.
