riiiight, tmac is ALWAYS throwing his body around for the benefit of the team, he is known ALL over the league for his dedication to the game... and IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW MANY GAMES YOU WIN IN THE REG SEASON, the playoffs are all that matter, no one gets trophies for most reg season games won.
the rockets are clearly better when t-mac is healthy because when he's healthy he's one of the most versatile offensive players in the league. top 5 at that end. we are however, considerably better than we were with an injured mcgrady.
Exactly, that's my point. Your stance is inconsistent. Your whole claim all along has been that Artest didn't fit because in combination with McGrady, that gave you two "ball stoppers" that played outside of the system. Your pet phrase on this was "oil and water." Now, with McGrady out, you've changed your tune saying that it was the presence of two ball-stoppers that created the problem, and with McGrady gone, Artest isn't a problem. That's still fine and logical. But in this thread your whole argument has been that McGrady has been the cause of the Rockets' problems in previous years because of his style of play. In years without Artest. With the same "style of play" as Artest ("ball-stopping"). But at the same time, you're claiming Artest isn't a problem now because he's the sole "ball stopper" now that McGrady is gone and it was only a problem having two of them. But this wasn't the case in your critique of the vastly superior McGrady who was the sole "ball stopper" on the team in years past. So which is it? You can't have it both ways.
Point proven, He tries his hardest during the playoffs. Why do you have a problem with not diving on the floor every game in the regular season if he does in the playoffs. Thank you
Artest can have the same issues as Tmac, he is not ideal, but he has proven more than willing to RUN and to play MOSTLY within the system. Tmac has not. They are not consistent....as you know, I would prefer Maggette as he is much more efficient, but that is an entirely different argument. I am completely consistent, but you have to acknowledge when situations change ala Tmac being out, you have to rethink your position.... Thus the switcheroo on Ron...and I don't have a choice do I? We could not trade Ron at the deadline, so got to go with the team as is.... Answer me this though, do you think this team is worse than last years with Tmac and Yao, or better? Because I think it is better. DD
Its human instinct to try harder when more is at risk. Why do you think players always play better during a contract year? Sometimes motivation is what it takes. Hey, if we make the playoffs and Tracy is doing his thing, no point in complaining.
McGrady didn't run and play within the system in 2005? That's news to me. Again, my argument is in regards to your claim about McGrady's Rocket career, not this season. You are repeatedly interweaving the two separate issues. Situations didn't change for McGrady when Yao was out? When he had no talent surrounding him? Once more, I'm addressing the claim about his career, not this season. If his "ball stopping" is what hindered the Rockets in years past, you are committed to conceding the same about Artest this season. To this point, you have only obfuscated between two separate issues. This merely illustrates the whimsical nature of your analysis. You're optimistic about this current season because its the new fashion of the day, while simultaneously taking a dump on previous Rockets teams. If this wasn't the case, you would be much more objective in your evaluation of McGrady's career with Houston. Maybe. Relevance? The supporting cast is vastly superior. If you equate Yao and McGrady as interchanegables (Yao for you, McGrady for me), Scolandry is a year older and better, we both agree that Aaron Brooks is better than Alston, Lowry is probably better than Bobby Jackson, Brent Barry and Wafer are better than Luther Head, Shane is Shane, and Ron Artest, who you screamed you didn't want all along, is better than anything we had last year. So sure, we're better this year. Not sure how that's an indictment on Tracy McGrady.
can't say i disagree. but there's mcgrady, and there's cato in their contract years. still makes a difference, doesn't it? plus, mcgrady has been making the highest possible kinda money and getting all the attention in the entire league. the standards for the highest rated are higher.
We are only better because Tmac has been playing injured pretty much all season. With a 100% T-mac we would be playing even better
i would love us to get to the finals and the world can see that mcgrady is nothing more than a highlight reel stat stuffer, team ball is what wins.
Tracy played well in about 5 of the 6 games on the bad knee and shoulder. All im saying is you cant doubt him in the playoffs. And how do you know Tracy does everything just for himself. Do you know him personally? If you do please let me know.
Everyone takes games off, even your Garnetts and Iversons have. Its their way of preparing for the playoffs.
LOL you are completely blinded by the team's success w/o McGrady. Cabbage has totally nailed the incosistancies in your arguements, yet you still think you are right. While the team has been playing well, McGrady is not the only part of the rotation that has changed. (ie Brooks starting, Battier/Artest starting, favorable schedule, etc.) Last years team pre Yao going down is identical to this years atm, but now we have more depth and Artest is healthy enough to give 100%. If Artest played into the system, as you claim, he would mesh fine with a ball stopping McGrady. Fact is, he is the same type of player as Tracy, but now he is healthy and the ball is in his hands more. His style hasn't changed at all. Once he throws up a few 1-10's, you will change your tune, say you said it all along and then say it sucks to be right all the time. DD your problem is, you have this constant need to validate yourself and your stated opinions. Sometimes you are spot on, other times its shaky. But regardless you fight it tooth and nail and then throw out this irritating statement "Sucks to be right all the time". It just gets annoying... If you don't think a McGrady, at his Rockets peak, would put this team over the top, then you are delusional.
This thread is interesting. Just when thacabbage thinks he's painted DaDakota into a corner of which there is no logical explanation for his comments he finds a new way out. Houdini!
TMAC is a primadonna. He always has been and always will be. In toronto he had no desire to be a part of a growing franchise. In orlando he acknowledged quitting at times. His history has been one of me first. Statements like, "this is my team, I create my teammates scoring, it's on me"... those are all egocentric primadonna statements. He is not the only star in the league who is, Kobe has always been a primadonna but he also plays with passion. Kobe is a proven winner who's ego can't stand losing. Tmac is a talent who can stand losing. Tmac makes incredible plays and has a natural ability only few in the league can match but he has never been a winner. Yeah he wants to win. he wants that the glory and beatitudes that come with winning. when your talents start to diminish than what is left with primadonnas is a sulking maclady type attitude. Aging, NBA Primadonnas begin to look like old statues that noone cares to visit.
