I would every time. This is the birth of a child. The NBA is just a game no matter what they are paying you. Being a responsible parent and an actively involved father is the most important thing a man can do and I, for one, think this goes a long way in defining T-Mac as a man of character, not a selfish basketball player.
if its the Finals he better tape that mofo. edit: and I would say that about any player. I'm sure the kid won't mind when he/she grows up and finds out their dad missed their birth to play in his ultimate goal as a professional.
As I feared: Another UGLY UGLY game. I now regret that I shelled out $169 for NBA League Pass. This team has become unwatchable but the biggest problem they have is that night in and night out they are doing the same things over and over and over that don't work and haven't worked all season yet they continue doing them. It's like you have to be a complete amnesiac to watch this team on a nightly basis.
Maybe I saw a different player!? Seventeen rebounds? Since when has any Rocket's player stagged seventeen rebounds in a game? He was blocking shots and then hitting threes effortlessly. The way the Rocket's are playing, maybe I'm too easily impressed!
The way the rockets are playing, the little kids who put on the oversized jumbo uniform and hit a layup during the timeouts looked impressive....
they did compete last night. got to give them credit for that. for a moment I thought they could actually pull it out. but without tracy, for the moment there is nothing.
Disagree? Really? I only post like twice a week. What's there to disagree with? Most of my comments of late have been in defense of Yao against the irrational few who thought a max contract would magically turn Yao into a 40/22/5 player...and that anything less would be failure. From your posts, I'm sure you agree with me there at least. I definitely see your point about the many hours of labor. My contention is that not only did McGrady want to be present for the birth of his child, but he wanted to be there for his fiancee as well. If my wife were to call me at work and say she's in labor, I'd leave for the hospital right away. Telling her, "Ok, let me finish my work here first. You still have several hours of labor to go through" really isn't the mark of a good husband/father.
I can't believe some of you are criticizing McGrady for leaving to support his familly for something as important as a child birth, are you people out of your freakin' minds or have you lost it all together? Yes, you're right, he should do like half of professional athletes do and just get a picture by mail.
The guys played hard, there just wasn't much talent to work with (as was evidence by the shooting %, etc.)
You're damn right I would praise him and anyone else on this team. After recently witnessing the birth of my first son, there isn't anything in the world that would have kept me away from that. You have some serious prioritzing issues in your life if you can't forsake work for the birth of a child.
As a fan, you still want him to leave the game 7 at half time? You think his happiness at his child birth more important your own happiness to see Rox get another ring? Or you would rather to see TMac be a man than see Rox win another Champ? I do not think TMac has much character as a man, if being selfish is not one. I just want to repeat it again, he broke the hearts of Orlando fans not only because he demanded a trade, but also intentionally did not play hard. You call him a man? Give me a break, he is even worse than Scottie Pippen.
You're truly an idiot, and a person with twisted priorities at that, go troll the MAgic forum if you wish, I am glad you don't post very often.
I don't blame T-mac whatsoever for leaving the game to witness the birth of his child. I mean this is a guy that has had someone close to him die every year for the past eight years or something. If I was in his shoes, not only would I treasure this miracle of life, but I'd want to be there to make sure nothing bad happens.
How about : "honey, call a cab next time instead of calling me. I still have a couple of meetings to go to and drinks with clients. Page me when you're at 10 cm's."
I can't believe it. Since when a championship is more important than a life??? A fan should be a human being first! Tmac has said before if his wife is in labor he will have to leave the roadtrip. As some other posters said, the guy lost a close one EVERY FREAKING season! I remember last season he lost someone, he went to the funeral and then went right back with the team, played hard while he looked down to his teamates. Give the guy a FREAKING BREAK! Let's say if Yao doesn't leave the CNT for similar reasons during a world championship final game, I will critisize him for putting a championship in front of a life. This is a game, NOT a war!
