I thought that he did a better job of staying within the offense this team around. However, I thought he did all the little things in the offense, like setting picks and cutting, without much energy. That's probably just how he moves but I would like for him to cut a little harder and set better picks. He's going to need to do these things if he wants to be relevant on any NBA team.
I think that's a good sign. Tmac didn't play with his teammates for a long time. He needs more communications with them to know the new style.
It's going to be a while for T-mac to get back to any type of important to this team if he is still on this team for most of the year. Right now T-mac has to get back used to playing basketball period. That would be fine if the team was the same but it's not. So not only does T-mac have to get used to playing ball again he has to get used to a team whose style is completely different. He also has to get used to not being the man on this particular team. It's a strange situation and we will see how he handles it. Right now you can tell he's just trying to fit in.
are you saying he has to get use to ariza being the guy who takes the most shots?, or being the guy who goes one on one the most?. nope thats t-macs job, it may not be right now, but the last thing i want him to do is get use to being a role player. Eventually when t-mac gets up to speed, wouldnt you want him to take the burden off of ariza?
I'm not telling you what I think should happen I'm telling you what I think T-mac is doing right now. After all the controversy that T-mac has had with this organization over the last few months I don't think he wants to come into the game and dominate the ball like that. He doesn't want to force it right now.
McGrady used to yap and yell at Scola a lot when he was a rookie. Scola used to keep quiet. He is not taking that crap from McGrady now. Good for Scola! Sorry Mac, this isn't pick and roll offense anymore. You gotta move without the ball, just like everyone else on the team.
It was about the previous play. Scola was on the perimeter expecting the pass, T-mac instead was trying to set him up with a pass to the basket so he wanted Scola to set a screen which Scola did. But Scola rolled too soon so T-mac couldn't hit him because Scola didn't get behind his defender so instead he passed it to Landry. Scola had to wait just a second more and then roll and he'd have gotten a layup. That's what they were talking about. Basically T-mac was like - I'll get you next time don't worry!
That is not the impression I got from watching their conversation. My impression was TMac looking for clarification about some movement in the offense (possibly about where to expect Scola to be at certain points so TMac could look for him). It just seemed like they were trying to get on the same page and it did not look disagreeable to me.
Tracy and Scola are cool. Don't let this become a clutch fans rumor. Cuz' then Yahoo gets in then Dick Justice then DD then threads stack up ugh. Ok game, a lil hesistant on offense as he didn't cut, but he did spread the floor some what
What amazes me that who ever thought T-mac would look so happy where in the 8 minutes he played he took ONE shot. If that's not buying in to the system, I don't know what is.
We don't know what was said, and we automactically assume it was a confrontation between them... lol next it'll be in the paper, scola and t-mac in heated argument during game
He's a bit hesitant to score but I think he showed some promise on the defensive side although his size alone is going to make a impact.
i agree they were just discussing what to do....i was trying to read their lips, best i could get was: Tmac: -------------------- scola: What you mean? tmac: ------------------- scola: ------------------------ Tmac: that's what i'm saying i got trapped(?) Scola: ---------------------- Tmac: right, right, alright Scola: --------------dont move------- if he pass it then move.. Tmac:--------i got you, got you" I didnt see tmac limp or show any signs of trouble with his knee the first game, but i also only saw the clip clutch posted...however in this game he's still not really limping, but i noticed his left leg kept coming up at the end of plays. On one he visibly lifted it so he wouldnt land on it, on another, when they fouled him and he lost the ball, he seemed to not want to land on it either...on the play where he was going back on D back pedaling i thought i saw that leg go up again..im not saying he's still hurt, prob just mental, but it seems to still be an issue.
McGrady does seem a step slow, which I guess is expected. He also seems a lot builkier than a year ago. I'm not sure how that's affecting his speed or whether it's a temporary thing and he'll get leaner and quicker as the season wears on. For me that's the big question with McGrady right now, whether he can play within the current team-first concept while still being effective as a go-to player. It won't be enough for him to become "the guy who takes the most shots," the playmaker who has the ball in his hands - in other words, the old T-Mac. But at the same time, he has to keep his old shooter's mentality and aggressiveness. With this team, he's being asked to make a dramatic change in how he plays, how he approaches the game. If he makes it, and if his physical talent is still there, he can take his game to another level IMO.
