http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6066269.html [rquoter] Right now, the countdown through the exhibition schedule is still being done with a calendar, day by plentiful day. But the days have a way of shrinking to hours and then minutes, and the time is fast approaching when the hum of concern over Tracy McGrady’s readiness for the Rockets’ Oct. 29 season opener could become a blaring alarm bell. “What’s most important is to be healthy toward the end of the season,” McGrady said after Saturday’s workout. “If I’m not ready to go in the first couple of games, then that’s just the way it is. This is something you can’t rush. I would like to be out there with my team come the 29th. But, you know, if things don’t go right, then I can’t be out there.” McGrady has played just 12 minutes in the Rockets’ first six exhibition games. He was on the floor for the entire first quarter against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics eight nights ago in New Hampshire, shooting 1-for-4 from the field and 8-for-9 from the line to score 10 points. “I just wanted to see where I was at,” McGrady said. “Obviously, I was a little bit behind where I wanted to be. That’s why everybody got on the same page, meaning the doctors, the trainers and the coaches. It’s best for me to just rehab and strengthen my leg.” McGrady underwent surgery on his left knee and left shoulder on May 6 and has not taken part in any drills that involve contact since training camp started on Sept. 30. Long-term thinking “I’m getting there,” he said. “It’s a process. I’m still recovering from knee surgery, so I’m taking this thing easy. We’ve got an 82-game schedule ahead of us.” Head coach Rick Adelman has been trying to get ready for the start of the regular season without two-fifths of his starting lineup — McGrady and Shane Battier (left foot) — and has been juggling his exhibition rotation preparing for their further absences. “I think you have to anticipate it may happen, that they may not be ready for the start of the season,” Adelman said. “That’s why we’ve been looking at everybody else, and one of the things we need to do in the last two weeks is be sure we know exactly what we want to do.…Because if they’re not ready, you’ve got to play the games. They’re not going to give us a reprieve. ... If they are ready to play, they’re not going to be 100 percent.” Adelman said the brief look at McGrady against the Celtics didn’t alleviate his worries. “I think he’s so talented offensively that he can make shots, make plays and everything else,” the coach said. “I think he’ll be more than good there. But defensively is where we had our concerns, because he wasn’t moving that well defensively. Laterally, he was having problems trying to have some confidence. But offensively, I really think he’s gonna be all right. “We’ve got to do what’s right for the long run. I don’t think we can (rush). We can still win games and do things. ... Battier may be close Battier will have an MRI exam on his foot later this week and hopes to get clearance then to return to full workouts immediately. McGrady’s rehab process — along with his own mood and diagnosis — changes dramatically in short spans. On Friday, McGrady said: “I am far ahead of schedule, just eager to get out there. I hate going through this process.” But by Saturday afternoon, he was talking far more cautiously and admitting he might not be ready for the opener. “It would be very disappointing,” McGrady said. “We have a very talented team. Myself and Ron (Artest) and Yao (Ming) are three guys that really can carry this team to where we want to go. It would be great for me to be out there starting for the opening of the season. But I’m coming off surgery, and you don’t want to rush that.” [/rquoter] The shoulder apparently hasn't been a problem for him since he stopped lifting weights. But he's struggling with the knee, and he doesn't seem confident it will be ready by the beginning of the season. Actually, the way he talks, this might be an issue throughout the season for him. Is the type of knee condition he has usually considered chronic? The Rockets again have a tough schedule out of the gate. Without T-Mac to start the season, we could have a rough start.
Didn't he just have arthoscopic surgery? Some minor tissue cleaned out? That is usually something that requires a rehab time in weeks rather than months. Sounds like he is just not in shape to me... DD
eh, if he does have to miss a game...we are playing Memphis so i think we can pull it off easily without him.
listen to tmac, he knows his body. last yr when EVERYBODY was calling him a "weak and soft" player for not playing with the knee, well look what happened and it required surgery. tmac has rushed back from his injuries too many times and i think he's overly cautious this time and maybe that's a good thing. missing 1-2 reg. season games is nothing. the knee is crucial to his explosiveness and quickness.
Let him take his time. If Yao and Steve need to take a game off in January to go see the Superbowl, I say have at it. The goals for this regular season need to be: 1. Get everyone healthy for the postseason 2. Ensure ourselves a top 3 seed 3. Get everyone healthy for the postseason To get a top three seed, I bet our 3 stars will have to play in only 50-60 games each, with breaks here and there the way Boston did it the second half of last year.
Maybe its best for him to get all the rest and attain full recovery. I could remember Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams both started with injuries and missed a few seasons or games for Jazz. Now they seem fully recovered. Of course i'm not suggesting Tmac take the season off, but he should try to reach full recovery as much as possible.
Good point. Same thing with Yao too. Atleast Yao will not have that extra mental pressure of preparing for the Olympics too. Here's for a speedy recovery in time so he can atleast dress up for the opener.
That would game #2. Meh. Regular season schmegular season. All that matters is we make the playoffs and we're healthy once we get in there.
It is SO nice having Artest to fill in the gaps ... ... take your time TMac. We want you when it counts most.
i'm not unconcerned but better now ... Adelman actually muses that Battier may also miss the season opener (or at least not be 100%). at this point, without any contact drills or pre-season games for both, that seems a fair assessment. four starters with off-season surgery! thats gottah be some kinda record.
