http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/2992252 Jan. 14, 2005, 12:13AM McGrady nagged by injuries Rockets star slowed after third ailment in 3 games By MEGAN MANFULL Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Tracy McGrady was at a loss for words. He limped to his locker after the Rockets game Thursday night and tried to come up with an explanation for what is happening to his body. For the third game in a row, McGrady was forced to the sideline with an injury. Each time it has been a different injury that has sidelined him. But the most recent one scared him the most. McGrady was forced to the locker room in the third quarter against the New Jersey Nets after straining his left quadriceps. He returned to the court about 10 minutes later and played through the pain, helping lift the Rockets to a 94-85 overtime victory at Toyota Center. McGrady limped through the final minutes and said he was concerned about whether or not he would be able to play against San Antonio on Saturday night at Toyota Center. "I went up for a jumper and came down on my left leg, and when I came down, it was just instant pain in my left side," said McGrady, who finished with 18 points, seven assists and three steals. "I don't know what the deal is with my left side. I don't know what's going on with my body." McGrady bruised the big toe on his left foot Wednesday night at Dallas. He sprained his left thumb against Denver on Sunday. While he had no problems with the toe Wednesday, the thumb continues to bother him. But none of the problems have sidelined him for more than a few minutes. In Denver, he returned after hurting his thumb to score 20 points in the fourth quarter. In Dallas, he scored 23 second-half points after injuring his toe. Affected more this time On Thursday, McGrady was much more limited when he returned. He injured his quad with 49.6 seconds remaining in the third quarter and checked back into the game with 9:59 left in regulation. He played the rest of regulation and overtime but only had two points, one rebound and one assist during that time. "Sometimes you just got to go out and do what you do," McGrady said. "You have to suck it up for the team's sake. "I just wanted to go out there and do what I could do, and tonight I was pretty much a decoy out there." McGrady is determined to play through injuries. He set a goal prior to the season to play in all 82 games. After missing two games in early November with a right hip strain, McGrady adjusted that figure. Now he wants to play in 80. The most games McGrady has played in during a season was 79 when he was with Toronto in 1999-00. McGrady said he will receive treatment today and then test his quad at the team's shootaround Saturday morning to determine if he can play against the Spurs. Not concerned about past McGrady was heavily criticized last season in Orlando when he played in only 67 games and missed a slew at the end because of left-knee patella tendonitis. Many argued he should have played, but McGrady said that negative reaction has nothing to do with his current goal to play through the pain. Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy said he has been pleased with McGrady's ability to continue playing through the adversity this season and said any stereotypes previously placed on him are irrelevant. "Somebody is going to have a perception of you no matter what you do," Van Gundy said. "That's just what they're going to say. The only thing he has to worry about is how his teammates feel, how his coaches feel." megan.manfull@chron.com
Well, we knew this when we got him. I only hope the team physicians can figure out a way to keep him effective.
I think he should sit a few games out. No too long ago, an NBA Superstar suffered a nasty bruise to his right hip in a collision with Ron Artest. He played through the pain and overcompensated by putting his weight on his left side, and ended up severely spraining his ankle. Nevertheless, not wanting to let the team down, he continued to play and needed major surgery at the end of the year. I'm sure you all know where I'm going with this, so let's just put it this way; it's clear we aren't winning a title this year. There's no need to put T-Mac at risk of becoming another Grant Hill story.
If I were the Rockets I would hold McGrady OUT of the Spurs game on Saturday. Let McGrady rest Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Because on Monday there is a HUGE game against the Grizzlies! We have a 2-0 series lead on them. One more win and we get the tie-breaker with them. And Memphis is the one hard charging team behind us that is trying to take our playoff spot. Huge, huge game!
I agree as well... Have Sura in street clothes too, he deserves it after bailing us out last night vs. NJ. Afterall, we most likely lose Saturday even with everyone at 100%. As people have said in this forum, we do match up well with them though... Finally, we are all but guarenteed a bottom 4 playoff spot now due to the Kobe injury, the Wolves desension, and the Clips/Blazers being garbage teams... We need a win Monday rather than Saturday...
i agree that it would be a good idea to rest tmac and sura if they continue to be playing so hurt. tmac seemed to be really hurt at the end of thursday's game. he could serve as a good decoy but i'd rather not risk losing him or sura to a serious injury because they were trying to tough it out. i think sitting them out one game might be worth it.
So true, there are a lot of compensation injuries. Tim Thomas had one this year with his calf and T-Mac's quad injury is on his left side, the same side as his left toe injury. JVG on his radio show sounded like T-Mac wouldn't go and they should probably hold him out until he is 100%. I think we better get used to T-Mac not playing a full 82 games while he is a Rocket, he seems to have a fragile frame and is prone to injury.
Man this is just bad timing. With all the things going on with the teams sitting around them in the standings (Kobe's injury, Wolves' troubles, etc...), this is a great time for the Rockets to make a move to assure themselves a playoff spot, and a good one at that. Having backcourt injuries right now in the middle of a hard part of the schedule, just would be bad.
That is fine with me as long as he does not miss the January 20th and 24th encounters. I would love it too if he could play against the Spurs on Saturday for an encore.
