McGrady honors day's NBA commitments Mopey Rocket offers little hint as to his problems By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Tracy McGrady wanted to run. He wanted to leave the Rockets, to leave home, to go somewhere he could be alone with his problems. He settled for skipping Friday's All-Star media session and participants meeting — or at least that was his plan Friday morning. McGrady said Thursday he would not participate in the Friday All-Star commitments so he could spend time talking out his "personal family issues" with a friend. League frowns It never came to such severe measures, but failing to show Friday could have meant not being welcome for the All-Star Game on his home court Sunday. McGrady arrived 15 minutes late but spoke extensively not about his issues but of the toll they have taken. NBA deputy commissioner Russ Granik said league officials had not discussed what the penalties would have been. "I've got to deal with it, the problems that I'm having," McGrady, 26, said. "It really took a lot to come down here with the things that are going on in my life. But I know what is best for the city, for this league. They (NBA officials) told me it was the best thing for me to come here, and I realized that it's in the city I perform in every night." In 2004, when Allen Iverson was contemplating taking the day off in Los Angles, NBA commissioner David Stern said players must be a part of the media availability to play in the game. "It's a possibility, but I don't want to judge it yet," Granik said before McGrady arrived of the option to hold him out of the game had he skipped Friday's sessions. "If he has particular issues, we've always tried to be a sympathetic organization with people's personal issues. I don't know what they are or might be." McGrady offered no details about the issues that have been bothering him for several weeks. He honored his other commitments — an appearance at the Jam Session, an autograph session and a downtown party he hosted Friday night. He has been sullen and disconsolate for several weeks. Even as the Rockets won seven of nine games in February, McGrady shot poorly, including a 3-of-20 game against the Knicks after which he rushed out of Toyota Center without speaking. "At times, I don't want to be in the arena in a uniform," he said. "It's been so frustrating and hard to deal with. I usually do a great job of keeping things to myself and really not letting things affect me. It just got too heavy for me to deal with, and it's taken a toll on me. It's going to take some time. I know everyone is like, 'What is wrong with this guy?' But everybody has problems." History of tragic events In the previous eight seasons of McGrady's career, eight friends or family members have died. He said his melancholy is in part attributable to the accumulation of tragic events over the years. "Pretty much from my rookie year, I've gone through things in my career," McGrady said. "It's gotten to the point where the first eight years I was able to go out and play basketball and separate the two. Now, so much is going on, it's kind of tough to separate the two. "It's an accumulation of things. I'm in a tough stage of my life right now. I really felt like just leaving, not telling anyone where I was going, getting away for a couple of days and just clearing my mind. I need peace of mind right now. But things are starting to clear up. I'm feeling better by the day." Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy showed up at McGrady's house to talk over McGrady's problems. McGrady's cousin and former teammate Vince Carter said he would like to speak with McGrady. Shaquille O'Neal, close with McGrady from their summers working out together in Orlando, said he has spoken to McGrady several times this season when McGrady was frustrated because of his back problems and would be available to him. "He knows if he ever needs somebody to talk to, he could call me up, and he has called me up a couple of times," O'Neal said. "I won't call him and say you need to do this or do that. I'm not that kind of big brother." McGrady at least has decided to keep showing up. jonathan.feigen@chron.com I am glad to know someone is trying to help him by offering support, not blaming. I don't know the details either, but I truly feel he is not making excuses and he needs help. I am frustrated by the team's performance, but I wish him well as a person, not just a player.
Vince Carter and Shaq = My Heros (after McGrady, of course). Well, Barry, I agree with you. We still have a shot at the playoffs but regardless, this season is dead. Whether we make it or not, this season is dead. The injuries killed it. T-Mac's personal life is killing him. How many experts had us ranked 2nd in the west coming into this season? At least a few of them. Well, we are 2nd. 2nd to last, or something. But this season was over when T-Mac went down the 2nd time and Yao went out. No way could we have survived that. I'm not saying we won't/can't make the playoffs. But what this season could have been, is over. I'm frustrated, but i'll still be watching everygame i can, and i'll still be rooting, even when we're mathematically eliminated (if that happens). All I can say is, I look forward to next season, and a rested McGrady.
This whole thing saddens and scares me. I honestly don't care about Tracy at all in terms of basketball right now. He can go 0 for the rest of the season for all I care as long as he gets his life straight. I feel deeply for the man.
David Stern: "Damn it, Tracy. I don't care what family issues you're having to deal with. You will show up to the all-star media session. You will play ball, and you will smile and have a good time, or else I'll make your world a living hell!" The beatings will continue until morale improves! Nice viewpoint, Stern.
The league is an arse, that much has been and continues to be confirmed with every passing day. Stern is the Stalin of sports...
Somebody needs to take Mcgrady surfing and fishing for a few days. and Stern and Granik, a few good days of surfing and fishing won't do anything for robots.
I'm very glad that Tracy is mature enough to keep his commitments in this type of situation. I wish he did have the time off to rest emotionally and physically, but I'm glad that he's not like a handful of other players in the league who would have blown off their responsibilities to do what they wanted. Hopefully Tracy can soon get some quality time with those close to him.
Whatever T-Mac's issues are, He should have the right to deal with them privately. I will pray for the best for him in dealing with his problems. As for basketball, I wish the Rockets would make a major to trade(Yao, Rafer, Head, Hayes, Bogans not to be traded) that would allow T-Mac to take some much needed time off from basketball.
