.... that T-Mac will catch fire in the playoffs, as he's done every single other time he's been there? Presently, this time has an unstoppeable inside force. Yao posting up, while Hayes and Howard find ways to score around him. The 2nd best 3-pt shooting team in the league, no thanks to T-Mac. But it seems to me like when the playoffs roll around, T-Mac penetrates at will. That's the element that makes the Rockets unstoppeable. When we have all 3 working. Post up, if not it doesn't work, hit T-Mac, and he either goes to the basket or drives and kicks out to the open guy. That's how simple our offense can be. I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that once the playoffs start, T-Mac will be one of the top 3 performers in all the first round series (East and West) and the best player in our series. Does anyone seriously doubt that?
I am darn sure that once playoffs start he will turn into a beast. Tmac History has shown that. Unfortunately Tmac history has also shown that he starts of very strong but his production/sharpness (or whatever you wanna call it) drops off as the series goes. More importantly Tmac history has him losing each of the playoff series he has been involved with. This is what I am most concerned with. I will take a semi-beastly-Tmac and a series win over a beastly-Tmac and a series loss. Of course, being the greedy sunoofabeetch that I am, I want a Hyper-Beastly-Tmac with a convincing thrashing of the Jazz along with an eVGA nVidia 720 MB 8800GTX GPU paired in SLI and some Chunky Monkey Ice Cream.
The doubters were out when Yao got injured, then they were silenced by the Rockets' run after, led by McGrady. They were going to fall out of playoff contention, remember? They will be silenced again... They never, ever, ever learn... <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhQ-57bLeKQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rhQ-57bLeKQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Tmac will bring it... no doubt in my mind... but the better question is can he bring it for everygame... I remember game 6 he won us the game single handed game 7 he lost us the game bricking shots left right and center... ill take a Tmac who shoots a consistant... 42% then one who shows up one day shoots.. 55% then the next game 32%
i have doubts that he will stay healthy. but i dont doubt that he wants to win and that in the playoffs he will be very aggressive, like he was in the dallas series
I have doubts he will give 100% on the defensive side, when he does its scary. I have my doubts he will take it to the basket strong and get to the foul line 8-9 times per game like he should considering how gifted he is offensively. And I am not talking about the 2fpg he draws on pump fakes. I'm talking about D. Wade type aggressiveness. I have my doubts... I place sole blame of my newfound pessimism on the shoulders of JVG. He rubbed off on me over the years.
Rockets starting 5 when Yao was out: T-Mac, Rafer, Chuck, Deke, Battier Golden State starting 5 this season: Baron Davis, Monta Ellis, Stephan Jackson, Jason Richardson, Al Harrington The fact that T-Mac carried his team of pretenders into the playoffs, and 5 legitimate all-star candidates (would be if they played in the East) on the Warriors could not... How could anyone question this?
I have my doubts, but they aren't particularly major. They're the same as they've been for two years. Back issues don't go away, they just subside for stretches with good management. McGrady's done as well a job as possible with that, but he'll always be one wrong twist or landing away from being sidelined. Evan
No, I have no doubt. McGrady is going to destroy in the playoffs. Not every single game, but he WILL be a force.
who can dominate EVERY single game in the playoffs? at most a superstar is gonna play well in 5, maximum 6 games.
Tmac is going to dominate in the playoffs yet again, but for once he has the team to back him up. Cmon Rockets!
I definitely have doubts. Remember guys, he was relatively healthy in 05 with no back spasms and he has his usual dominant playoff performance. But the last year took a toll on him, and he still has had back problems this year. He just got a stiff back and that is NOT a good sign this late in the season. I don't think he'll catch fire and be the dominant T-Mac, but I hope he proves me wrong.
Are you asking if there is doubt T-mac will play well in the playoffs or are you asking he will be one of the top 3 performers in all 1st round series? I only ask because you pose both questions and the answer to the two are not the same. Personally I think T-mac will play well, will have a good/great series and the rockets will advance to the second round regardless of who has Homecourt. However I believe Yao will be have the more dominate series due to the Jazz's personnel and Sloans defensive philosophy. In regards to who will be the top 3 performers in the 1st round I'd probably guess two will probably come from the Suns vs Denver/Lakers series, due simply to the style of play and lack of defense. The third could be anyone from Lebron, Dirk, Kobe/AI/Carmelo (whichever is not already in the sun's series) Yao, Tmac, Duncan, Bosh, Brand/Bdavis, etc etc. In essence whiles its possible T-mac will be one of the top 3 perfomer in the 1st round, its far from probable.
I have doubts, he hasn't shown that he can ever play with Yao on the court so why should I think he will magically turn it on?
Here is Tmac stats for Game 7: MIN-----FGM-------FT-------RB-----A------PF-------PT [36]---[10-26]---[6-7]----[4-7]--[7]----[1]-----[27] He did not play in the fourth quater. That is basically 39%. If he just made his next shot or two, he would have been around 44%. In game 6, he was 14 for 28 for 50% and was considered a hero. Just trying to bringing some facts to the discussion.
