There are some interesting parallels between Gilbert Arenas and Tracy McGrady for the coming season. Both players have been slowed by injuries in recent years. And both players are hoping to revitalize their career this upcoming season, having trained for the first time with Tim Grover. http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4480321 So, which player do you think will have the more productive season this year? What do I mean by more productive? For the sake of this thread, I'll put it this way. Say all the NBA experts are poll on who their top 50 players in the league are in 09/10 at season's end. On average, who do you think will end up ranked higher?
Tracy McGrady.. and yeah .. I am biased but one another thing that is common is that.. both guys are running their mouths too much.. talk is cheap
One factor to consider: Tracy is playing for a new contract. Arenas has a number of years left on his.
Gilbert is younger, and will have more freedom to do what he wants. He will have the better year stats wise, but Tmac's team (if it is the Rockets) will have the better year "wins" wise. DD
McGrady. He has the most "upside" considering he hasn't put in an honest season's work in a while but will this season. Also, considering Arenas is relatively young yet his knees are still falling apart leads me to believe he won't ever be healthy enough to be more than 75% of the old Gilbert (who was overrated as hell).
I think it will be the other way around...Gilbert has 2 legit scoring options on his team. Not to mention Mike Miller and Randy Foye. Flip Saunders is also coaching them. I think they'll have a top 4 or 5 spot in the East if Arenas is productive and healthy. Tmac has Scola and Brooks, but neither has been consistent big time scorers. They are capable of putting up 25 on any given night, but some days they are just off. We don't know how Ariza will be used yet and the same with David Anderson. We don't know how offensively productive they will be yet. But until they produce consistently, Tmac may have to average 20-25 ppg again (if he can) and still rack up assists. Also, the Rockets will probably be fighting for a 6-8 spot in the playoffs. I doubt we beat out LA, SA, Port, Dal, Den, for a top 5 spot. We will probably be competing with NO, Utah, PHX, for 3 spots. Maybe even LAC or Mem. (doubtful, but you never know) I would say Tmac by the structure of the team MAY have to have a better individual season. Hopefully not, but if people can't score, he is the guy you have to count on. Arenas has a lot of proven help on his team. I think they'll be a good team this year, and will probably make it to the 2nd round, IF Arenas is healthy. Otherwise, they'll be a 6-8 as well. Don't know enough about his injury situation though.
Contract year or not I'd say Arenas. He has IMO a better team this year and a better skill set than McGrady. Yes he is slightly younger than Tracy but he's had almost 2 years to rest his, body, and mind. He's almost coming back possibly better than when he first started more than likely stronger. The good thing is that he really doesn't have to carry the team he's got a lot of young bodies that can throw themselves out there with no regard for human life! haha Anyway I choose Gilberto for president.
Team success wise if both stay healthy I will say Arenas. I expect Washington to finally jump over that hurdle. But then again this isn't the first year I thought that and they have always proved me wrong.
Arenas. Younger. Had more time off. A lot more weapons to alleviate pressure. Doesn't have the pressure of his entire city hating him.
Grover says a lot of people are in that 7-8 range doesn't he... <br> They'll both probably be about even. Keep the parallels running strong
we'll see pretty soon. arenas is still younger so i'm sure he'll have a better scoring-wise season, but i expect a pretty good overall season from mcgrady. again, we'll know in a month. not too far away guys.
i would have to go with the guy in his contract year. though once these guys sign their new contracts ist's back to their same old, same old. see beno udrih last season.
tmac's inabilities weren't all physical, some were mental. he may have raved about how much help he got from having "the best doctor, the best physical therapist, and the best trainer." but what about the best sports psychologist? tmac's body may be healed and strengthened, but what about his mentality? for that reason alone, i still doubt tmac's recovery and thus vote for arenas to have the better season.
