McGrady Talking The Talk Somewhere, deep down, Houston Rockets fans want to believe in Tracy McGrady. They want to take the news that McGrady will be ready to go full speed come training camp as good news. Having seen the team advance to the second round of the playoffs and push the Los Angeles Lakers to seven games, fans see that the Rockets are probably one player away from being a championship team. Somewhere, in the back of their minds, even though they don't want to admit it, Rockets fans are wondering if McGrady just might have one more strong season and playoff run left in him. As for McGrady himself, he dismisses any talk that the team was better without him, a sentiment fans echoed throughout the second half of the 2008-09 season. "In the past, when I was out, you really never heard that," McGrady said in an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show. "Because, finally, they put a team together to start winning when I'm not in the lineup, I mean, that's expected. Those guys did a great job, can't take anything away from them, they played well, they played well without me. Are they better without me? I don't think so. If you asked those guys on the team, they'll tell you the same thing. They played well, it looked good, but again, I'm sure all those guys would take me on that team." Everyone likes Tracy, that much is true. And certainly, at least as far as they'll admit publicly, the players all feel that the team will be even better with Tracy back in action next season. Tracy, for his part, admits he had a hard time sitting and watching his team battle without him. "Watching my guys lose (was hard). They just went through so much with me being in and out of the lineup this year, Shane (Battier) missing some games this year, Ron (Artest), as well - for those guys to overcome that and get the chemistry they had late in the season and prevail, it was great to watch. I was at my place in Chicago just jumping up and down watching guys go out there and compete." The question, then, is whether or not that passion, that disappointment will push McGrady to new heights. Can he find a way to be the force behind a championship run next season? The fans in Houston, whether they admit it or not, are harboring a secret hope that he can. It will be up to Tracy to make sure that hope is not misplaced, in what will likely be his last chance to win an NBA championship. Didnt see this posted anywhere Thoughts? Concerns?
He has a history of health problems, and he's sure to want a maximum contract extension. I don't care if he plays 100 games next year, I wouldn't take the risk of re signing him. Plus, he always says the right things. He's good at that. He's always been good at that.
It's good to see that Tracy hasn't lost that humbleness that we've all grown to love MOREY.......PLEASE......FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THINGS GOOD AND PURE........TRADE TRACY! ! !
Speak for yourself, But don't act like you know what Rockets fans really want. Tracy gone! Bye buddy!
Err. Yeah... remember that thing about saying he expected the Lakers to win? Obviously wasn't the 'right' thing to say. How about crying at a press conference, or saying he was on a mediocre team? I don't hate Tracy as much as most (see post directly above mine) but he doesn't have much between the ears.
It's not about giving him another chance, it's just about doing what's best for the team. If that means he gets another chance, that's perfectly fine with me. I rest assured that Morey is going to do whatever is best for the team as a businessman, without any emotional investment in the guy like people seem to have here.
Why are people still talking about Tmac bringing us Chemistry? It's over, it didn't work. His be moment was his come back against the spurs.
My feelings precisely. He went through that much and he hasn't changed one dime. I forsake me-mac from here on.
QUESTION: Let's say Tracy comes back at 80%. do you still trade him? If not what kind of contract do you give him for the following year? I mean 20 mill is OUT for his future. . .right? Rocket River
his max contract days are over. even if he returns to his all-nba form like 07-08, he won't be worth more than $9-10 mil/yr simply b/c of his injuries and age.
