http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4332686.html Just a passing fancy McGrady happy to distribute ball until shot returns By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Having thoroughly covered the "best center in the NBA" debate, the Rockets moved on to best playmaker. Funny how a winning streak, with a blowout victory in the home of the NBA champions, can do that to a team's mood. So Tracy McGrady, not shooting well enough to be the engine that drives the Rockets' offense, tried on the "distributor" role. "A playmaker. That's what I have to be," McGrady said. "I'm struggling with my shooting, but I think what makes me unique, I can find other ways to put points on the board. I can find my teammates. Those guys are making shots. My offense right now really doesn't matter, because these guys are knocking down shots, and I'm getting them the ball in the right spots at the right time. It was a prime example (in Sunday's 94-72 win at Miami)." McGrady, with his once-faithful shooting touch betraying him, did not feel like the best anything. But with those around him gushing about his passing as openly and unabashedly as McGrady had when he reprised his declaration that Yao Ming was the NBA's best center, the idea of serving as Rockets quarterback seemed to grow on him. That would seem one way out of a shooting slump; pass instead. But as the Rockets moved from last season's champion to the previous year's champion — they face the San Antonio Spurs at Toyota Center tonight — they did not describe McGrady as passing his way around a problem, but as switching strengths. Rockets coach Jeff Van Gundy, who generally rejects hyperbole, described McGrady as a "great" passer and said when McGrady is moving toward the basket he is "as good a playmaker as there is in the league." Superlatives fly Rockets guard Luther Head went three greats further. "Great," Head said. "Great. Great. I don't know how he sees what he sees, but he does it. He's great, man." McGrady is making just 38.6 percent of his shots and only 22.2 percent of his 3-point attempts. But his 6.4 assists per game lead the Rockets, and when he seemed to tire of the search for his shooting touch Sunday, he had assists on five of six fourth-quarter possessions as the Rockets pulled away. McGrady was so effective as a playmaker, Van Gundy could not be too concerned with his shooting, as if wanting that would be greedy. "Whether he makes or misses, he's great," Van Gundy said. "He brings people to him. Even on his misses, when he brings people to him, it creates offensive rebounds. He's a great passer. The only thing I look at with Tracy is basically how many times he attacks the basket. It creates free throws. It creates all good things. He just has to attack. "When he starts toward the basket, he's as good as anyone. He has great vision, great decision-making and great length to see over people." Yao benefits The Rockets are unlikely to be their best with McGrady slumping as a shooter. But in some ways, having him serve as playmaker might fit well in the half-court offense, at least as long as Yao is on a roll. Yao is making close to 60 percent of his shots, though when he did have his worst shooting game of the season, making 10 of 24 shots in Milwaukee, McGrady had his best, hitting on 11 of 19. "That goes back to our two best players being completely unselfish, like Mac riding Yao (on Friday), not worrying about his numbers," Van Gundy said. "Mac realizing that Yao is going to be our primary option in the half-court, you don't find too many guys that have been past scoring champion and are also very unselfish. We're very fortunate Mac's mentality is what it is. Until someone stops Yao, for the most part we'll play off Yao. Once we get it to half-court, Yao. Yet you can't let McGrady get out of rhythm and not think he's an attack-oriented player. He said he is a 'distributor.' As long as he's an attacking distributor, that's fine. He's not nearly as effective when he's a passive distributor." Still, the Rockets would not mind if McGrady finds his shooting touch. Until then, their "best center in the league" will just have to make do with McGrady's being "as good a playmaker as there is."
I like TMac passing, and like his unselfishness. But I still want him to work hard and find the old him. This team won't go deep in playoffs w/o an aggressive TMac.
Not only is it the key, it should let other role player be aware the fact that they need to step up and be prepare to take T-Mac's magic passes and score. This way we will be better than the Spurs who I believe lack of playmakers like T-Mac and scoring insurance like Yao. We must play like an well-oiled machine and we can't let ourselves receed to the isolation plays by our two superstars with role players standing around and pass off the opportunities. Role players also must know their roles to play. When you are hot, T-Mac will feed you and you better take it.
I like the fact that Tmac finds other ways to be effective while his shot isnt falling but I wish he would attack the basket more.
watch out once tmac finds his groove...hes shown that hes healthy and yes he claims hes lost a step, but in time i think hes going to regain some of the quickness thats left him and the league better prepare...or else
From last game against Miami, I saw the smile on TMac's face, really impressive to me. I guess he really enjoy being the play-maker, which benefits the team a lot.
Tmac was GREAT as our quarterback last night. He will prove all the haters wrong and bring us championships. HAVE FAITH!!!
Just hope T-mac could be a "distributor" in the first quarter and a dominator in last quarter. We need him to make those clutch shots! T-mac's mentality will determine how further we will go!
He did attack the basket several times on the pick n role...that's why we got the easy baskets. You have to take what the defense gives you and on each of those plays in the 4th, Miami reacted to Tmac and clogged the lane thus leaving Head open (3 times) and Yao open (2 or 3 times for dunks). Now the Spurs will watch that video and Pop will tell his players to stay home (near their man) to cut off passing lanes...which will be great because Tmac will then continue to the basket because the lane will be wide open like the new Katy Freeway...@ 3:00 am in the morning. It's a pick your poison...who do you allow to beat you kind of thing and Tmac is great at it especially late in games. I hope his shot is on tonight because he can then pull up at the elbow and hit or get fouled.
"TMAC" and "TEAM". What do they have in common? There is no "I". Chill out, brutha ...and "Believe in his greatness."
Does anyone still doubt that Tracy is the best passer to Yao on the team? He's our best passer, period! This Magic Johnson impersonation is great as long as the other players makes shots.
I'm sure McGrady was talking about it because the media questioned him about his passing ability. Answering questions honestly is something McGrady has always done. Most people don't let it bother them.
teams right now are still respecting his scoring ability, he has good vision but he is drawing defenders to him and hitting the man left open. if he doesn't start hitting shots, the passing is going to become harder because the way he's shooting, teams are going to start laying off him. the passing is great, but he will have to shoot better to keep it going.
I thnk this is why JVG keeps talking about his attacking the rim...... Because it doesn't matter if his jumper is falling if he is attacking the basket, teams have to stop the layup....or dunk and this opens it up for his passing. His passing off the dribble is good on the pick and roll, but you are only going to get a couple of those a game. DD
