He's not dead, he's just resting.

That's no oridinary TMac....That TMac has got a vicious streak a mile wide.

 

If we lose this series, should the franchise give up on T-mac? He and Yao alone are not enough. This team needs depth, youth, and athleticism. Trading McGrady might get us a first round pick and possibly a few quality, if unproven, talents.

 

deeply calm analysis.totally agree.
sometimes T-mac does not put in all his effects cuz it seems he knows its not the dead on time for him to step up..
well.maybe its because of his sleepy eyelid.

 

Just a harmless little TMac

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All of what you said is dead on. But it is also dead on that he has come through in the clutch for the Rockets this season. When he was needed with Yao out, he stepped it up, and kept us going. Against that last Suns game he stepped it up.

He has been there when we needed him most this season, so let's hope that trend continues tonight.

 

You know, there is a lot of heat on Tmac right now from this board.

A lot of that is deserved - IMO.

However, I cannot help but think that there is a lot of unfair "step-it-up" demands being placed on Tmac. He is a superstar, and he is consequently the focus of the entire Jazz defense. It is difficult to operate in that circumstance, especially when your teammates cannot make them pay. Personally, our inability to hit the open jump shot - (paging Juwan and Luther!) is more the bane here than Tmac's apparent lack of agression.

I would hope that some of Tmac's issues are simply due to hellacious defensive pressure - most of which can be chalked up to not making the jazz pay from the outside.

My two cents.

 

Sorry, have to point out that Chuck was running to his position(he was the person who threw in the ball). And Yao was also ready to catch the ball to shoot.

 

the lack of support for the team from our "bench" has been the real story in the series, its not like the bench isnt getting good looks, they just arent making them.

that being said, tracy is playing like a p***y out there. go back to the series against dallas and he was going all out each game, the games in utah he played lazy and out of it. heck he played better in the last few games of the regular season than in the playoffs so far. 5 seconds and he just dribbling and walking the ball up. that 5 point lead could have easily become 3 or 2 before half (it could have stayed 5 but we should have gotten a better shot than a 35 foot running heave by chuck).

seriously derek fisher is strong but there is no way he should be able to stop tmac, after that first quarter in game 3 he has gone into a total shell.

if he doesnt come out of this funk and real soon this whole season will be for naught and honestly this will have been his best chances, and he has had his chances, namely 2-0 going home (that detroit team was 10x better than the magic team he had) but he just seems to not 'get it'

 

Spot on.

Its time for Tracy to take over these games. When he starts to drive he needs to FINISH not dish it out to Rafer for another missed 3.

Go to the HOLE and great things will happen for this team. Settle on jumpers - major problems for the team.

 

I think you got it right, but honestly I think all of that can be boiled down into one word and one characteristic:

Arrogant (b*stard)

 

T-Mac isn't the winning answer for the Rockets and won't be able to "take over" an entire game let alone multiple games in a series. There is one thing that keeps being unmentioned that I feel is causing his "lacking intensity." It's the same mentality you get when you sprain an ankle repeatedly but know you have to tough it out for the team. At any moment, you know you could land and make it many times worse, ending any chance for you to keep playing.

That is, in my opinion, what Tmac is wary of. He recognizes at every moment of intensity, he is borderline damaged goods that could end up much worse. Tmac had to come out of how many games this season? How many times back to the locker room?

The other problem - here I go ragging on JVG again - is that JVG forces his system of only running through Tmac and Yao. There is no plan B when Tmac slows down and no developed confidence for Head, Shane, and the rest of the guys to take over the game. (Again, look at all the roleplayers of the GSW and see how they feel confident to take over the ball game.)

 

Excellent post, as usual Will, and dead on.

As a gifted person, I deal with this too, just as I'm sure you do. It's not as easy as it sounds, to kick it in. That second gear "zone" requires inspiration, and often requires adrenalin, so when your back is against the wall, it does kick it in. Margin is definitely the key for risk mitigation, and motivation to win, rather than fear of losing. I've had to use other sources of motivation rather than some kind of coach just saying "win win win."

The very nature of margin goes against using adrenalin to kick you into your zone, because you need the sense of danger to kick it in. Jordan was amazing at this, and used inspiration from different sources than the fear of losing. He was inspired to be the best ever and just dominate. I've often wondered where that came from at such an early age. Even if TMac wins this, theres a good chance he won't be motivated to go do it again.

Just like writer's block. I'm curious. What methods have you used to kick you into your zone, and then turn it back off. I didn't learn how to turn it off until later than my 20's, or get inspired from healthy sources. What's your secret?

This isn't just a problem for TMac. Yao deals with this too. They both tend to relax when the other is on the court. I'm hoping they learn how to step up to the next level together. That is something new for them that will require them both to learn. Both have been the star in the past. They will need to not only learn individual inspiration, but collective.

As much as I admire JVG's X's and O's, defense and preparation, I've always wondered if he knew how to do this part, which Rudy was so good at. This is just as much a reflection of JVG as it is for TMac and Yao. Rudy was a master at building momentum and motivation. I haven't seen that from JVG yet. JVG has to step up now, and inspire Yao and TMac as a duo, and the rest of the team to step up, so they know how to get there ... to develop the heart of a champion.

 

Will's post is right on. He needs to bring it every play. Until Tmac understands the importance of every loose ball, free throw etc. He will not make it far in the playoffs.

 

I warned you! But no....Just a harmless little Tmac.

RUN AWAY
RUN AWAY
UTAH!!!!

 

McGrady's inner workings, probably just wants to kick back and sleep on the couch and do nothing. But it just happens that he has probably the best all-around basketball skills of everyone and he had to go with it just because, in an "ah shucks I guess I'll play ball" type of way. I tend to agree with the assessments he really likes the game but maybe doesnt love it enough. Or just loves his comfort more.

 

Any talk of McGrady coasting or resting in 2005 is a joke. He was absolutely dominant from Games 1 to Game 6 of that series. Completely harassed Dirk all series long and was in a zone offensively. I dont know what more you wanted out of him that series.

This playoffs McGrady hasnt been great, but he's not the main reason the Rockets are having so much trouble with the Jazz.

 

or maybe he can't go all out b/c of the back? u ever thought about that?

i think tmac understands the importance of winning every loose ball, making ever ft... doing the little things.

but can u imagine tmac playing all out 48 mins and the toll thati t has on your back?

i never knew this but i work in a pharmacy and this patient has recurring back spasms. he said when u do have it, u cannot even urinate. how crazy is that?

back spasms are like the painful thing u can have b/c ur actually feeling it and u feel helpless at it.

i understand u want tmac to play all out like kobe or wade or garnett. and he would if he was COMPLETELY healthy but he's not.

like he has said numerous times, he'll pace himself. he's pacing more than anything.

but like u, i wish tmac would play like game 6 more often. but i understand the back could ruin his career if it's really serious.

 

he NEVER had a back spasm that entire season. so that was never in teh back of his minds like it has these past 2 seasons.

 

deleted because it was already covered