Orlando Sentinel: Big finish just proves how special T-Mac is

Interesting read, especially given it is from the Orlando Sentinel. I know they're 13-6 (thank you) and probably ecstatic with their improvement, but you know a lot of Magic fans couldn't like reading this in their paper this morning.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/spor...-povtak121204,1,7508121.column?coll=orl-magic

Tim Povtak
Big finish just proves how special T-Mac is
Published December 12, 2004

Their slow start this season might have left the Houston Rockets wondering why they gave up so much this summer to acquire shooting guard Tracy McGrady.

No one wonders now.

McGrady's performance Thursday night -- Jordanesque by any standard -- cemented his status as the one who eventually will lead them to a championship.

For all the thrills he left behind from four seasons in Orlando, McGrady never did anything quite like this, arguably the greatest individual 35-second closing in NBA history.

This was legendary.

Against the title-contender San Antonio Spurs, McGrady scored 13 points in those closing 35 seconds, turning an eight-point deficit into a one-point victory.

Houston fans were leaving, some were booing the home team, television analysts already had pronounced the game over, when McGrady completely redirected the outcome.

During that span, he hit four 3-point shots, including one that turned into a 4-point play when he was fouled by Tim Duncan. There were no easy ones with his feet set and his shoulders square. They were twisting, running 3-pointers, including the final one with 1.7 seconds left that capped the performance.

It was his second game-winning shot in a one-week span but easily his finest of this young season.

Veteran Reggie Miller forever will be remembered for his eight points in the final 8.9 seconds of the Indiana Pacers' playoff victory against the New York Knicks in 1995. McGrady on Thursday was every bit as dramatic, except the regular-season setting will allow it to fade quickly.

"We got to see first hand why he is one of the greatest players in the world," teammate Bob Sura said. "To pull something out like that, it's amazing. It was unbelievable."

It's why the Rockets gave up Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato -- three starters who have formed the core of the Magic's resurgence -- to land McGrady.

As good as they are together, none is capable of doing what McGrady did Thursday night. Neither is Kevin Garnett nor Tim Duncan, nor anyone else in the league today -- except maybe Kobe Bryant.

This one had the stamp of Jordan, which is why McGrady remains such a fascinating player. Jordan didn't win his first NBA title until he was 28.

McGrady, 25, is just beginning to leave his mark.

Tim Povtak can be reached at tpovtak@orlandosentinel.com.