“There are a lot of things to think about before you sign on the dotted line,” he said. “You have to make sure everything is right” i can't believe he said that! after all that talk in the press conference about being a rockets for life. what BS! i do hope he ends up signing but if he doesn't, what a b!tch. oh by the way, here's the link where i got that quote for mcgrady from.
Apparently, you don't read the Chronicle. This was also posted on the BBS this morning... McGrady targets age 35 Tracy McGrady said he has no concerns that he will sign a contract extension to be with the Rockets for three seasons beyond the three he has remaining on his contract, rather than opting out after the season. After that, he's not too sure. "We're going to get it done," McGrady said. "We're going to get it done. But I can't see myself playing past 35. That's 10 more years, man. I'll probably be hurting then. "To me, I probably play five, six years. I'll be done. I've said for a few years I won't play past 35. That will be 14, 15 years in the league. I'll be done." McGrady, 25, was drafted by the Toronto Raptors with the ninth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft. He was traded to Orlando for a first-round pick in 2000, and arrived in Houston this June along with Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines for Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. This will be McGrady's eighth season in the NBA.
And Shaq at one point said he'd never play past the age of 30. Times change, people change. The money and fame and attention are too much for most players to give up until they're well past their prime.
From what the Chron said (somewhere), the negotiations are done; it is just in the hands of the lawyers now. I doubt there's any problems at all. They know they don't have to be done until 10/31, so they're playing golf, taking out the yacht and otherwise just taking their time. I remember there was a similar delay with, I believe, Steve Francis' extension. It dragged out for a long time but there was never any problem. Just lawyers being lawyers.
<b>"We're going to get it done," McGrady said. "We're going to get it done. But I can't see myself playing past 35. That's 10 more years, man. I'll probably be hurting then. "To me, I probably play five, six years. I'll be done. I've said for a few years I won't play past 35. That will be 14, 15 years in the league. I'll be done."</b> Something about this tells me TMac is a very fragile person physically and mentally. He seems too honest and doesn't seem confident about maintaining his level of intensity. The guy is 25 and is talking about retiring??? About being hurt??? It won't surprise me if TMac turns out to be some wierdo like Ricky Williams of the Miami Dolphins.
I can't believe he would have the unmitigated gall to actually contemplate his future. What a weirdo.
Don't get me wrong. I have tremendous respect for TMac. He is the greatest player to come to Houston since Hakeem. He IS the Houston Rockets right now! If I had to choose between keeping TMac or Yao, it would be TMac all the way!
Shockingly, the Orlando Sentintel is printing rumors that McGrady won't extend and could still leave the Rockets if he doesn't like his first year. Shockingly. Evan
Because he knows what is really going on and we don't. I don't understand how anyone here can even mildly speculate about the details of his contract. We know absolutely nothing so we just make crap up. If he says it is getting done, I believe him, especially since the Rockets have said the same thing.
i aint tryin to hate or anything, but what player who truly loves the game EVER wants to quit? its stuff like that that makes me really concerned at what kinda player t-mac is. real heart and competitiveness drive you and all the true greats played WAAAYYYY too long, because they were never satisfied, they NEEDED to play. it just seems that t-mac is playing to earn a check, and because its what he is supposed to do, not what he loves to do. he's talkin about retiring at 25??? it does make me worry that this is a heartless rockets team we have now. yao's greatest goal is to win a gold for china, and t-macs' is to retire at 35. grrrreeat.
i think it is normal that a player thinks about his career and future. He says he wants to play for 10 more years. Great. i would be hocked if he said he only wanted to play 2 more years. i think Hakeem played to long. And jordan also, i like it better if a player stops when he feels he cannot compete like he used to.
Obviously McGrady hasn't signed yet because he hates the Rockets and never wanted to come here. He is going to opt out and become a free agent and go backto Orlando to play with Steve. If we are lucky we can do a sign and trade and get Bogans. Then we would be set for 10+ years.
"From what the Chron said (somewhere), the negotiations are done; it is just in the hands of the lawyers now. I doubt there's any problems at all. They know they don't have to be done until 10/31" This ain't gonna happen. Houston is about to get a dose of Mcgrady. This is the same guy who claimed he was gonna retire last year because the zone was too tough. The same guy who sat out against the Magic last week. The same guy who is complaining about retiring again (as contract leverage no doubt). This is the same guy who will join Shaq in Miami (as he and Shaq planned all along) for the next 4 or 5 years. They are next door neighbors in Orlando and Tmac, his wife and kids practically live with Shaq. Shaq said he'd do anything to play with his bud Tmac and almost forced an orlando trade. But what could Orlando give to LA to get Shaq? Only 5 more days till Shaq and TMAC becomes obvious.
So Tmac is going to sign on with Miami for league min money? I hope he has a boatload saved up because he won't be retiring anytime soon on that kind of money.
Didn't Shaq say the same thing about retiring at 32 a couple of years ago? As soon as we get to the Finals, I think everyone will stop questioning Yao's leadership skills and Tmac's heart/drive.
Artv, In case you haven't noticed (i have), Miami only has been signing 1 yr contracts. Eddie Jones has a 1 yr player option. Trade Jones+ Wade to a team with an expiring contract after the season = 20million under the cap = TMAC/SHAQ.
