I think the AI experiment is going to be a huge strike against McGrady. Why would a contender not want him? Because he wants major minutes, wants to be the man (especially over younger players), and would chafe mightily at coming off the bench. Exhibit A of that not working: AI in Memphis this year. Exhibit B: AI in Detroit last year. Exhibit C: McGrady in Houston this year. He can probably catch on with a lottery bound team wanting to sell tickets, but I think it's a hard sell for him to catch on with a championship-caliber team. Lakers, Boston, Spurs would all not want him. Orlando is obviously out even if Grandma's favorite wasn't playing there. I just don't see him playing a clear second fiddle to LeBron. Why would Atlanta want him when they have Joe Johnson? I can't see him getting minutes in Dallas. Jerry Sloan would kick his ass after one practice, slap antlers on him, drop him off in the countryside, and go hunting with Karl Malone. The Blazers are a young, athletic team without prima dona superstars. No way TMac gets on that team. I think he's looking at a less than MLE deal with a team like the Warriors or Clippers next year.
Imo he will be joining the celtics, he and garnette are good friends and he's already told t-mac that he opportunity will come, Im sure he'll be giving him a call soon, ugh the rich get richer while we be stuck with ariza for the next 5 years
wow. cant believe you people hate tmac so much you let it affect your objectivity. if tmac signs for the MLE or even less, im sure most of the teams would sign him next year. LA? of course they would. cmon, who's their best bench player? Lamar Odom. after that, they dont have anyone. would you rather put vujacic or farmar on the floor than tmac? how about cleveland? wouldnt they rather have a tmac than parker starting? he's not a lock down defender but he's decent and pretty long. also, tmac can come off the bench. he showed that when he came back from injury just before the 22game streak and this season. he doesnt want major minutes. he just wants to play more than 8mins a game. as for bringing up karl malone, im not a fan of the guy, but he had a great season and LA made it to the finals back then. the only reason that LA lost was because malone got injured. he wasnt himself, couldnt produce and couldnt defend well. LA was a healthy malone away from the championship.
Jamal Mashburn had microfracture knee surgery and made the All-Star roster his final season. I think McGrady can accomplish at least that much. My bet is on McGrady landing in Dallas or Chicago. Josh Howard's contract is up at the end of the season making about $10 million and Dirk will resign as well. Chicago failed to sign Ben Gordon which was a huge mistake unless they were planning on signing someone like McGrady or Wade after this offseason.
If T-Mac plays in the NBA next season, he'll get injured again unless the amount of minutes he plays in each game are limited to 20 or less. His body has proven over and over again that it can't hold up through the grind of an entire 82-game schedule when he would play starter-like minutes. It's time for T-Mac to quit playing in the NBA altogether for that reason. I feel that his chances of getting injured again would be much lower if he went to Europe next season since he would get to play a lighter schedule.
The Lakers are already loaded with veteran talents, I doubt they will seriously go over cap to get McGrady. Maybe the Celtics or Hawks or some other team that is close and wants one key piece to push them up might be interested in McGrady, but the Lakers are fine as long as Kobe is ok to carry them and they occasionally have good games from the others. Although the days when Kobe begins to show his own age may soon be creeping up, if the Lakers keep needing him putting up 40+ points to just barely win games.
This is such a ridiculous thread but I'll bite. There is zero chance Mitch Kupchak is stupid enough to sign Tmac. He's actually a pretty smart GM and isn't foolish enough to think: a)Tmac will ever be an impact player in the NBA again b)Tmac is worth paying double for(since they are into the luxury tax) ...I would think Von Wafer would be a Laker before T-mac. ...and for those who have only been watching basketball the last 4 years, be reminded that Orlando will NEVER have Tmac on their roster again. That was an ugly breakup that ended with Tracy basically refusing to play for the team anymore and making up BS injuries to justify it. The fanbase and most of the longtime staff in Orlando would revolt and for what? Last I checked that team didn't have a problem scoring and it's not like Tmac brings it defensively. Finally, Orlando actually has a fairly smart GM now which again would rule Tmac out. The only suggestion I have seen in this thread that makes some sense is Dallas - I could see them offering him some money to come off the bench with Terry(depending on what they do with Howard's expiring contract) but obviously Tmac would be taking a huge paycut.
I am not sure any team would offer TMac more than AI got from Memphis. AI is healthier and more productive in O.
Tmac can finally have the supporting cast (Kobe, Gasol) that he's been wishing for. And he'll lead his team to the title, the way he was supposed to before if life weren't so unfair!
