Lock if posted...More drama http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4683668 HOUSTON -- Tracy McGrady returned to practice with the Houston Rockets for the first time since microfracture surgery in February on Monday, but the seven-time All-Star still doesn't know when he'll play. McGrady said he can play now, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman has said he's not ready. Adelman missed practice Monday to attend to a personal matter and was not available for comment. Assistant coach Elston Turner said "it's a process" to get McGrady back. The 30-year-old McGrady said the difference of opinion between he and Rockets officials is not a problem, but he's upset people have faulted him for wanting to return now. "I'm ready to play basketball," he said. "Everybody is making a big deal because I say I'm ready and GM and my coach say I'm not ready. Everybody wants to make a big deal that I'm this diva ... It's crazy." McGrady was set to undergo an MRI on his surgically repaired left knee late Monday which he says is "irrelevant," but that the team wants to review before any decision on his return is made. "It's not going to tell them whether I can play or not," McGrady said. He hasn't been told when he will be activated, but is confident it will be "really soon." Turner's comments after practice didn't seem to indicate McGrady will get his wish. "It's a long season and we're going to take our time," he said. "We all have his best interests in our thoughts. We'll bring him back when we feel like he can consistently not miss a beat." Houston is 8-6 so far this season, two games behind Dallas in the Southwest Division. Turner noted that the Rockets don't want to bring McGrady back too quickly, only to have him experience a setback. "He's gone through a major surgery and it's a process to get him back on the court full-time," he said. "When you're building a team there's chemistry that players develop. So when he does come back we would like him to be back instead of in a week, out a week, in a week. It messes up our chemistry." McGrady knows he won't automatically return to the player he was before the injury in his first games, but insists he has to play to build up to that point. He said rhythm and consistency will be big factors when he returns. "I don't care how great of a player you are, if you've been out it takes time," he said. "You've got to play in games to gain your rhythm. As far as getting up and down, and doing things that I couldn't do last year, I'm capable of doing that night in and night out."
I have no idea why anyone would find it acceptable for the Rockets to put the season on hold while McGrady "finds his rhythm".
Who would you rather have taking shots? McGrady or Ariza, wouldn't you want some shots taken away from Ariza, come on bro!
All teams have a adjustment period during the season when one of their players comes back from an injury... what player comes off an injury and hits the court 100%? Highest paid player in the league needs to be on the court because its not like once he hits the court his contract is renewed. We can still trade him if he does not fit... not even trying to see how he does is ridiculous
I agree with this completely. I have a really hard time believing that DM and Rick are not going to give Mcgrady a chance to show what he is capable of. I would be super surprised and disappointed if he gets traded before he is given a chance. Daryl is smarter than that though. He is going to make sure he is not giving up someone who could help the team.
I don't remember who it was, but the poster that recently told me the Rockets "love McGrady" because Les Alexander said something to that effect last season, what do you think now?
You give them to the guy that will be here in the future. This year's best hope is the playoffs but I don't think ANYONE has any money down for the Rockets to win it all even with a 100% Tracy. And do you really think Tracy is coming back? Really? So given that, why take shots from Chase and Ariza and give them to a short term guy who's finding his rhythm.
I bet we will definitely lose to Dallas, if TMAC not on the court. It's true although I don't like him.
If shots are going to be taken away from Ariza, I want it to be by someone who's a part of this team's future.
His leg looked to be healed: <a href="http://photobucket.com/images/x-ray" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n22/anangelsbleedingheart/X-Ray.jpg" border="0" alt="High Heels Pictures, Images and Photos"/></a>
I'm aware that there will be an adjustment period. That's exactly why I don't want him playing. I don't want this team to have to adjust to someone who isn't part of their future. It's a waste of time. The decision on whether or not he fits has already been made. The only ones who don't see that are McGrady fans.
