I never said that T-Mac's teams were anything above average. I actually agree with McGrady. BUT, you don't say those things in public, to the media. It shows no class and is absolutely disgusting. Yao Ming is one of the top big men in the league when healthy. He isn't what I would call dominant exactly, but he sure beats pretty much every other center in the league. His game isn't what we're used to seeing from big men. It's a finesse game and I don't enjoy watching it, but it isn't bad. It's just different.
I agree i guess that stating it in public is pretty rank. But its amazing for people to call his statement as wrong. I mean I love Yao but the dude has not proved his a dominant player to carry a team like the people T-mac has stated there. We've had high expectations cause we have two great players in T-mac and Yao but the reality of it is we had alot of weakness in both our other 3 players on the court and the bench
The #1 Rule with dealing with TMAC is . . . NO MORE PIPPEN TRADES getting 6~7 players without a Real start among them . . NOPE NOPE NOPE Rocket River
Well, now, this is nice. I do understand the proverbial feathers being ruffled if Tracy McGrady says something depressingly obvious....like the teams he's played on in the postseason, relative to their competition, haven't been up to the task. But you know what's more disgusting and classless to me, cuddie? Lowering the bar of expectations for the entire team at the expense of one or two players. If what we're told is true of these guys....that it's not about money or fame or playing time, but about WINNING (and winning the whole thing ultimately), then a teammates doesn't deserve any more of a pass for failing than another teammate does for not trying. Because both approaches have netted the same result. I had this discussion with a very good friend of mine not too long ago, cuddie. He felt exactly the same way you do about what McGrady's said recently about some of his teammates. He felt that, whether or not you're teammates were up to snuff, you don't say it out loud or on national television. It's disrespectful. That reason and that reason alone said more, to him, about why McGrady hasn't had any postseason success. And from a purely politically correct standpoint, it does betray a lack of trust in teammates in McGrady. A lack of trust that not only has him and him alone holding the bag for failure, but translates into the rest of the team waiting for him to do just one more thing....or make just one more play....or try just a little bit harder....or care just a little bit more.... ...and has just about everybody else who should know better playing the exact same game. This is a team sport, everybody. Teams win the ultimate prize. A player here or a player there will get his share of accolades for that. And deservedly so. But they all get the same ring if they win. They all get the same ring presented to them at the same time. You're the same champion if you ride the bench or you play 48 minutes a night. You hold each and every player accountable. You don't half-way do your job. You don't get a pass for being a liability on either end of the court, no matter what your role on the team is, cuddie. Ripping McGrady for the Rockets' past failures is just the cost of doing business for me. Same for Yao Ming. Shane Battier doesn't get a pass for his "reluctance" on offense because he's got a cheering section that needs to get him voted 3rd team NBA defender. Rafer Alston doesn't get a pass for being a fiesty competitor that teams purposely left open to shoot as often as he wanted, because he gave their team a better chance of beating the Rockets than they did. As gritty and tough and savvy as Chuck Hayes is, you don't play him more than 10-12 minutes if it makes it easy to defend your team because he can't score. You don't ignore a bench that doesn't do anything but keep their seats warm when something besides a pulse was needed from them. I watched Hakeem Olajuwon win two consecutive titles, cuddie, and for all the praise that the Dream gets that he rightly deserves, HE DOESN'T WIN THOSE TITLES WITHOUT HIS TEAMMATES. Hakeem not only had to learn to trust the guys he was playing with, but they had to earn that trust, by delivering when the game was on the line. I've watched and waited and hoped for somebody other than Yao Ming or Tracy McGrady to do something meaningful in the postseason for the Rockets. It took Rick Adelman and Daryl Morey and some guys who could play a little to make that happen. Whatever else Yao or McGrady may or may not be, the both of them are anchors for anybody's team. They've proven that as much as Shane Battier has dived on the floor or Chuck Hayes has taken a charge. It's not right that McGrady had to say any of those things about any of his teammates, because those teammates have had just as much of an opportunity to acquit themselves as he has. McGrady could score an extra few points? He could grab an extra rebound or dish out a few more assists? How about we all start with somebody else proving they can consistently deliver....and then I'll rub a bar of soap across McGrady's wagging tongue myself....
i wonder what kind of heart and dedication we would see from a T Mac that's only making 6 million a year or less. scary thought actually.
Totally agree. No star and two or three players being waived and returning to their present team. Might as well just have his contract expire and sign a free agent next year.
I am in agreement with you. I have argued that point in many threads where there is irrational, relentless bashing of Tracy. The reason, however, that McGrady and Yao have higher expectations comes down to their paychecks. Talented players get paid more, and talented players are expected to shoulder a heavier burden. I believe that they have both, especially McGrady, played up to their expectations and that the reason for our playoff failures is the other 12 players on the roster failing to do so. I don't give them a free pass, and I have stated on a number of occasions that when a team loses, it is the fault of the team and not that of an individual player. Everyone is responsible, but most people on this board are so blinded by their hatred of Tracy now that they can't seem to grasp that concept. This has been my argument and I still stand by it. When I saw that interview where McGrady publicly stated the mediocrity of his teammates, however, I saw a lack of character and for that I cannot make any excuses for him. I can understand his frustration, but part of being a professional, especially such a highly paid one such as himself, is not allowing your frustrations to overtake you and cause you to lash out at teammates to the media. I saw no one specific named, but those comments were all-encompassing. In all, I still believe McGrady has been an outstanding performer here, regardless of how he has handled public relations. I would be in favor of bringing him back if he can still play, because now we actually have the supporting cast necessary for success.
cuddie and mdrow, both of guys provided some great and very truthful posts on this topic, if I could rep both of you guys, I would. I'm in agreement with point of your guys points.
i for one wouldnt mind T-MAC in red and white for at least another three years besides they guy is exacly what we need as a slasher. not to mention his a great passer of the dribble and a great pick and pop guy. LETS NOT HATE ON THE MAN AND GIVE HIM A SHOT TO REDEEM HIMSELF AS A ROCKET
Exhibit D = Dude you hit it right on the head! Its the fact that publicly he went on the interview after the game 7 loss to the Jazz saying "I was exhausted" that speak louder about his heart. its saying stuff like that... that expose his heart as a leader and champion. GREAT GUY but not a champion. No drive, No will to win, No UNDERSTANDING that "leaders" are not supposed to make any excuses... even tho he was right. There is nothing in T Mac that has shown THIS city that he wants to win. He might win someday, on another team. But We know that he has failed this organization, this city.. not by injury but by heart. Les Alexander thought he saw Olajuwon's greatness in T mac. His ability, and talent are there hands down. But the heart of a champion only lives in those who refuse to make excuses. Olajuwon was that type of player... Tracy will NEVER be.
I really agreee with you here. Tracy had made some mistakes but overall, he had provide a lot for the Rockets and things he had done in Durfar was great. Sure this season was his downside but there is really no need to hate on him so stubbornly. Seems to me that a lot of people here had given up on Tmac but why not give him a second chance with the Rockets. Afterall, he did led us to that 22 win streak and he is our only go to guy at the last minute of the game.
or any other team at that. An injury prone player despite their previous accomplishments as a player would always get a second or third look before being signed. Tmac knows He is basically fighting/playing for his next contract so lets hope it produces on court but it would not be a guarantee for a max type of a contract.
