To begin, I'm not a fan of McGrady coming back. I've made this clear to my friends and they all agree so not much need for discussion. McGrady needs the ball too much, I don't think he's going to play within the offense we currently have, and he symbolizes everything I believe our currently cadre of underdogs stand for and (I believe) believe in. (That last statement might need another thread where we can pontificate the psychology of the "underdog" and the resentment of the entitled gifted.) But I was thinking (painful for sure), we will have to adjust to Yao when he comes back so why not begin with T-mac? Here's my thinking (a little clouded with the red). We are undersized but nullify the other teams size through quick transition basketball. It's when the other team gets back on defense and picks up their assignments that we tend to get into trouble because the half-court just isn't currently our game. Now, I can't personally wait for Yao to come back. I love Yao. If I were a woman and unmarried and Yao were single I would want to have his children because he's awesome. But I hope things stay pretty much the same (our fast break) when Yao comes back except we will then have someone to run the offense through if forced to go to the half-court. It's not like we are going to become a half-court team anyway. The current success is training our players to attack the other team and then go to their set IF the opportunities aren't there for an easy basket. So why not bring McGrady on and when the transition attack doesn't produce anything? Why not hustle down the court and if nothing manifests offensively we put the ball in his hands and let him facilitate the half-court game (our current biggest weakness and his strength)? We plug him in and see what happens with 4 go getters and one nair-do-well (McGrady not Yao) who can facilitate our half-court offense. Your comments or questions are appreciated.
McGrady may be done. There doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm coming from the organization or his teammates on what he's capable of at this stage. Right now, I think his PR team duped us (well, some of us) on the results of his offseason rehabbing.
I don't know durvasa, I still think he can regain all of his 07-08 form. He isn't the best McGrady out there, but still a top 20 player in the league. Grover backed him up as well, right?
we need to trade tmac and yao. every year, the city of houston and the rockets players have to adjust to these two getting injured all the time, it's not fair for anyone.
I'd love to see T-Mac on the court in Red soon but it just seems like it's not going to happen anytime soon. Adelman seems very adamant in not playing him, and you can't really blame him. These coaches want as much control as they can get and when a player is basically going behind your back and talking to media before you it could get ugly, especially for a coach as veteran as RA. I hope it all works out because T-Mac was absolutely great to watch during the streak and I would love to see that fire return.
there hasn't been anything regarding him physically, that is not pleasing. its the other things, like chemistry and Adelman's clever plan that are preventing him from seeing the court.
That's the sad part. I think we can still use TMac's talent if he ever gets healthy again. But his antics have burned all bridges, so it seems. Right now, I just hope Morey could pull off something soon so we can get at least 70 cents out of T-Mac's dollar talent-wise.
So instead of Yao holding back the transition offense, we can allow McGrady the same exception. And similarly either Yao or McGrady's HALF court strengths can get maximized. In short, its treating McGrady like a smaller Yao. I think it can work. But then its the whole thing of holding back development of guards who CAN play within the offense.
Winning is the best way to be forgiven. I really like T-mac and hope he does well for the Rockets. I just hate how this has come to this, but I hope even though most people here don't he will come back and be a part of this teams success
Grover claimed McGrady was ready to go for opening night in one of those web videos. I guess we're about to find out whether Shamwow is Grover's middle name.
Personally, I'm a little frustrated with the McGrady situation. If he's ready to play, then I think we should play him. I'm not suggesting running our offense through him, giving him alot of minutes, or even starting him. I think he brings an extra dimension to our team to move it from 'pretty good/dangerous' each night to being able to build decent winning streaks. I understand Adelman's position, and the concern everyone has with chemistry, but I'd rather test him out and have him come off the bench for 15-25 minutes. Especially now, when it's early in the season and chemistry is less of a concern than when you're on the final run to get to the playoffs. If T-Mac pouts and doesn't want to come off the bench, then hang him out to dry. I just don't like wasting his talent and salary by keeping him on the bench without even trying to use him.
I never dreamed I would witness the date that fans of the Houston Rockets would be so concerned with running an offensive system in spite of its best players. This is the NBA, not the NFL.
I'm guessing Rockets will run two offenses next year. When Yao is in slow it up, since it is impossible for him to play this style. Take him out and go with the 2 PFs we've been doing and speed it up. Tmac may be done as a star if he can no longer penetrate...but he DID penetrate once tonight and went to the line...so that is a good thing.
I think if T-mac plays well, doesn't cause any trouble...plays like a team guy and does everything coach asks for him, there's a chance he'd be invited back for a smaller contract. A small chance.
I think that would be best case scenario.. Im just a team will take a shot on him though for more then us.
I am cautiously optimistic. TMac has betrayed us too many times, and I want to see him play 10 games before I make my judgment.
