Exclusive Interview: McGrady Talks About His Trade to the Knicks

Exclusive Interview: McGrady Talks About His Trade to the Knicks

Updated: Thursday, 18 Feb 2010, 9:45 PM CST

MARK BERMAN
Sports Director

HOUSTON - Former Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady considers his trade to the New York Knicks as a turning point in his life.

"I consider this as the re-birth, this is the re-birth of TMAC," McGrady said in an interview with FOX 26 Sports Thursday prior to his flight to New York City.

"This is a great opportunity for me to go and really put my name back in the elites and what better city, what better team to do it with than playing for the Knicks. Every night you got bright lights, big stage."

McGrady was traded to New York by the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team, nine-player deal that sent high-scoring guard Kevin Martin from Sacramento to Houston.

Ready to prove he can still play at a high level in the NBA, he plans to use the rest of this season to show he will deserve to return to the Knicks next season.

"To me this is an audition," McGrady said. "I've been out for a year and a half now.

"Coming off of microfracture surgery nobody really knows what I can do. For these two and a half months it's an audition for what's to come in my future."

McGrady underwent microfracture knee surgery last year.

McGrady said there is no doubt in his mind he can play in the NBA again at a high level.

"There's no question about that," McGrady said. "I'll show you in these 29 games that we have left and I'm going to start Saturday against Oklahoma City in the Garden."

McGrady said he has already talked with the Knicks.

"I've spoken to them," McGrady said."I've talked to Coach (Mike) D'Antoni (Thursday) and pretty much he's just letting me go.

"He wants me to get back to being the old Mac, if not better, and the way I feel now I'm in great shape and I'm ready to roll."

McGrady said it was not easy dealing with the hours and minutes leading up to the NBA trading deadline which was 2 p.m. Houston time Thursday.

"Relief, very excited about the opportunity that's to come," McGrady said. "I woke up at 5 o'clock this morning just waiting on that phone call, watching the ticker, calling my agent.

"The last couple of days I've been pulling my hair out. It's just been real stressful. I have that excitement feeling (like) when I got traded to come to Houston."

McGrady's arrival in Houston in 2004 brought dreams of many championship runs for the Rockets. They never happened, but McGrady shouldn't have to shoulder all of the blame.

However, he doesn't back away from the responsibility.

"My biggest regret is not being able to meet the expectations that I had set for myself and others had set for this team," McGrady said. "I had a great relationship with (former Rockets general manager) Carroll Dawson and I appreciate him bringing me here to Houston.

"(I had a) Great relationship with (Rockets owner) Les (Alexander). I appreciate the things that he has done for me. That bond will never be broken. I just regret not being able to meet those expectations that I set for myself to do for this franchise when I got traded here."

McGrady knows there are always expectations surrounding the Knicks and he hopes to do something about that.

"I hope to bring excitement back," McGrady said. "It's been awhile since that team has been in the playoffs.

"I hope to bring that back to the city. It's the Big Apple. It's the mecca of basketball. The concrete jungle. I'm excited about being there, being under those bright lights. There's no bigger stage."

 

Good luck to him. Now help us keep the Jazz from having a high draft pick.

 

Good luck Mac, but most of all I'll miss you Carl.

 

Damn, the dude got us 1 1st round pick next year (probably a low one too at that) and the ability to switch (which we will most likely do). He is gone stop the madness!

Karma got him, lets move on.

He repaid us with picks!

And Hill (potential)

Not to mention removed some of the LT.

 

Over/Under 81 against Rockets

 

Jared Jeffries.

 

I wish him the best. He actually does look like he's in great shape. He has the beard from his 2001-2002 season...lets hope he's that athletic. I hope he does great things in the city of new york....just like he did great things in the city of houston....

 

I don't know if there's a Tmac appreciation thread but thanks for the good memories. Best of luck with the Knicks. Sad to see it didn't work out but it's time to move on.

 

Is Landry's video up? Or is it in NBA Dish?

 

With all the negative press as of late, it is easy to forget the many good moments and excitements he and this team together brought us as fans. He certainly contributed to Rocket history, and those moments will always be fondly remembered (the 13 in 35, the game winner in Dallas, the countless 4th quarter shows he put on, and the rest).

In the end I will say this: It was not all bad, T-Mac. I wish you well the rest of the journey, hope you can finally make peace with your legacy.

Time to move on

 

I guess TMac was back in Houston from Chicago? It looks like they are at the Sugarland Airport in the vid.

 

McGrady has been classy through this whole thing. However, we all must remember that this guy is chasing a contract. It will only hurt him if he comes out and blasts the Rockets management or organization. Wait until he gets his multi year deal (if he gets one) then the one on one with Stupid A Smith will come out.

 

Ok I think we all have to admit for a guy who was basically told to go home because we didn't want him, t-mac stayed pretty classy. He did not cause problems and lash out against the Rockets. He did not say anything terrible. I think the McGrady hate got carried away a lot. Just thinking about how some people have handled themselves this decade (iverson, kobe, marbury, etc..) you have to give the guy some props. I wish him well in the future.

 

$50? To buy a seat?

 

i doubt it first off, but even if he did, we'll still win. it's a team game, that's why he's never been out of the first round, he's a selfish player. now, his body can't keep up with his ego, he's deadweight, i expect another year or 2 of good basketball from him but he won't be playing at a high level much longer than that.

 

So, will my authentic t-mac jersey be any value down the road or should I just burn it?

 

he might (although I doubt it), it's what happens in the other 81 games where he has little passion and toughness that have been the root of him never living up to the talent

 

Tracy looking like Hancock in that vid. I'm happy for him and I hope he can put up 20,4,4 a night with the Knicks.

 

and people who order Bud Light will actually get Bud Light

 

I was thinking Koo Mo Dee