I remember when T-Mac was here and playing pretty well in past years, we often heard about him being a great road player. I think Van Gundy referred to him as the best road player in the league on more than one occasion. Perhaps that was an overstatement to pump up his ego, but there was something to it. The Rockets have gone 24-17 on the road the last two seasons, which is very good. Even in their abysmal 34 win season in 05/06, they went 19-22 on the road. In 04/05, they went 25-16. Over the last 4 seasons, they are 5th in the league in that span in total road wins (only the Suns, Mavs, Pistons, and Spurs have more), while only being 12th in total home wins. This year, the Rockets are now 14-17 on the road. We're 12-11 when McGrady has played, he's generally been a shell of himself this year and not played well, and we're 2-6 when he hasn't played. Is this just a coincidence, or do you guys think the absence of a healthy McGrady has been the difference? * Edit: We also happen to be 17-2 at home this year without McGrady. 17-2 at home and 2-6 on the road.
He's not coming back, GET OVER IT. He hasn't been healthy this year. The Rockets have moved on, most fans have moved on
remember the game at Toronto when T-Mac escorted Jamario Moon for a dunk? yea there has been a difference. we've been competing every night.
I think this is related to the defense stragey. This year, the rockets play more 'aggessive' defense, especially for Artest. Usually, this type of defense is not allowed on the road.
Serious? Another T-Mac thread? Believe me, it aint going to make no difference bro. With Tracy, it'd be 20 more shots, making about 5 of them, and slowing the ball down 20 times.
He was basically the best road player in the league back the in the day with the Rockets... Let's hope he can come back next season and continue that.
I agree. Also, notice how our home record is better this year than normal - 10 home game winning streak with most games sans Tracy. If we can salvage a 3-4 seed, we advance to the 2nd round. 5 seed or lower, we lose in the 1st round. That's what will happen.
I like this thread and i think you bring up a great point. Mcgrady was such a great road player because his game doesn't rely on physicality. He just makes shots. he makes tough shots. that translates in any arena. I remember early last season we were on the road against utah and Mcgrady dropped 45 or something like that and we won the game. Any real rockets fan would love to have that mcgrady back on the team.
It's true and weird how he played better on the road considering he did complain of Toyota Center's rims. No question, a healthy T-mac would make a difference to this team. He'd be able to create his own shot (avoid loss in Chicago, etc). We'd see less jacked up 3's in end of the fourth quarter (Artest). We'd also see less turnovers when driving to the hoop (Wafer). However, as much as I love this current team even with the short comings of Artest because of his toughness and Wafer when he's Von Fire, there's no question a healthy T-mac would make a difference for this team but we have to live with what we got since even in his possible return, if he makes one, he could well possibly be a shell of what he once was. Let's support what we got and see how far it gets us. If it's not good enough, I'm sure DM will find another diamond in the rough. Go Rockets!!!
Knee jerk? Have we lost 5 of our last 6 road games all in the past day? Why do you think our road record has been so poor this year compared to past seasons? I gave one theory, but I welcome others.
Your theory is dead on. You have been watching the rockets the past 4 years. you know whats up. Mcgrady when healthy was the best road player in the league. It hurts not having him especially in games where yao is getting screwed.
Too bad that McGrady is long dead. I thought at the beginning of the season that the addition of Artest could offset the loss of McGrady, but he's nowhere near the offensive player that a healthy McGrady is.
Road games are for the superstars. Too bad, TMAC is down and we don't have anyone. we wont win on road.
McGrady destroys Utah every time they play. These bunch of veteran floppers simply cannot guard superstar guards. TMac, Kobe, Wade...all torch this team every single year. Mr. Mac is definitely missed.
The hurt T-Mac (which is this year's) Would do absolutely nothing to help the Rockets out. If we had the healthy T-Mac (If that still exists) of course it will be helpful, however it is useless now. Yao and Artest need to learn how to be road warriors instead of just players who get home sick.
I don't know why people keep saying that play was indicative that he quit on the team. The man is hurt, running after an athletic freak on a break. If he tried to foul him it might have turned into a 3 point play. Watch this video. Look at the :45 second mark on this video. Kobe "escorts" Von Wafer for a dunk. So did Kobe quit on his team? <object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A8lQgIhTQEI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A8lQgIhTQEI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
we did win TWO TIMES last year WITH mcgrady in utah. we just need a guy who's willing to take shots in the 4th, miss or makes. tracy missed his share though, but at least he's willing to handle the ball to make plays. despite the refs, i just don't see that in yao.
yes mcgrady is long dead this year. but it just shows we're missing "that guy." at least tracy was willing to jack it up or tries to make plays down the stretch. just like how the lakers lost to the suns. kobe went down gunning. i don't care if that guy delivers or not. we need someone with the guts to disregard the craziness of the road fans and just take over.
