If he's mentally not OK to play, TMac should not play at all. Perhaps he should just rest for another period. This time say triple that of last time i.e. 12x3=36 days until the middle of March. During this time, he should do strong rehab to heal his knee and see a sports psychologist to remove his mental hurdle. The team seems to play much better without a physically/mentally hurt TMac as demonstrated by the mini-winning streak during his and Artest's rest period. When he feels he's ready to come back in mid-March, just return and play without making any unnecessary promises. We don't want to hear more BS. Seeing is believing. No more blank cheques please.
I don't think he or his trainer were lying,10 days of rehab and practice isn't enough to regain confidence. Game situations are very different from practice. He has admitted that it is a mental problem but when one is in and out,it is also hard to be at a consistent physical level. I'm not making up any excuses for him either,I'm as frustrated and disappointed in him as anyone else. He does need a sports psychologist as well as time to regain physical strength,but it's his responsibility to get the job done.
Do you remember what you said after those 2 weeks off? Please shut up and play. You can do all those things. The problem is you don't even TRY
I don't understand why he isn't benched. It is obvious to all objective observers that he is hurting the team.
I've said it before, here it is again. He needs to go see the oracle.. no, I mean, back doctor in Phoenix. The doc will give him a cookie and a glass of milk, and tell him, "before you finish this cookie, you'll forget that you ever even had surgery... everything's gonna be all-right..." He'll be fine after that.
Here, here. Play him 20 mins a night off the bench. Can't play D? You aren't getting 35 mpg. Can't go at the rim with regularity? You aren't touching the ball in the last 6 minutes. Can't hit better than 35% ON 15+ shots? You're not going to be a primary option. No ice cream till you eat your vegetables. You don't get to pick and choose what aspects of the game you'll play. If the "knee" doesn't let you play, than you don't play. Evan
