So how do *you* measure "heart?"

Your points are up for debate.
No Defense - I agree his rotation sucks, but his on the ball D is pretty darn good. Then again, what good are you if you aren't helping your teammates out, right?
No Leadership - He fusses at players when they screw up. remember him giving Yao an earful during the playoffs? I'm not saying he's a great leader, he's not. He's got SOME qualities of one, but that's about it. To so NO leadership, I disagree. He needs to be more of one. I will say that much.
Shot Selection - it's already been shown statistically that he and Kobe (argued as the best player) take roughly the same percentage of jumpshots. He's not a horrible shooter, and he was driving much more until he was trying to play hurt.
Not willing to change game - Really? I argue that he did until people started missing shots, so he went back to what used to work. Even RickA acknowledged of this going on.
Shoots too early - Why wait on an offense trying to force a pass into the paint when the defense is specifically coached to deny that and give up anything else?
Needs the ball to create - I agree with you there. Only b/c Rafer is the only person who can create consistently for TMac. There are many people not suited to this system. They need to learn.
Hurt - Back hasn't been an issue for a while. Freak elbow and knee injuries. Those are chance injuries, not chronic. Two diff things. If it were his back yet again, I'd be much more inclined to say it's not worth it. Comparisons of Kobe "the rock" has shown Tracy plays on average 3 less games a season then Kobe.
Finish - really? He's won many games, he's lost many. Same can be said for Kobe, LeBron, and Nash.

 

You kind of prove a point I often make. Fire or heart (interchangable) don't translate to anything but outbursts of emotion. And dude, although I'm not gay, you might offend those that are when you say "this thread is gay." Often when you speak that way, you get dismissed.

 

Kobe that has accomplished no more than said T-Mac since Shaq's departure? Given, his team is doing pretty well so far this season. But you offer no discussion here. You just say "look" and imagine. I do that, and I don't see a difference except for simply that they have different personalities.

Much like there are easily excitable fans, and then there's more mild-mannered fans like myself. Does that make me less of a fan b/c I'm not beating my chest and yellin my head off?

 

Yep...they just have a better team. No one questions their heart. They just know how to handle their business.

 

If that's what you believe, then how come Yao is not an option to trade as well. Just playing Devil's Advocate here. Sure, big men are harder to come by. But let's assume (big assumption) that Scola can be a very effective PF. A la Duncan. NO, not as good as him, but let's say very solid as it seem he might become. Could we not make moves since Yao's value is much higher to get a better PG and any other position quite frankly?

Tracy is a lot harder to move than Yao would be. I don't advocate trading either, honestly. But if you say they can't win together, then you should entertain any trades involving either one.

 

So if I were out there trying my hardest to win out there being down. I'm obviously unsuccessful since I'm not a talented NBA player. I can't win without a lead after the 3rd to save my life. Do I have no heart?

I argue that our team is trying. They just have poor...wait...piss poor execution in these games we give away. We do close out games. We just remember the ugly ones more.

As far as sick goes. I've only seen Tracy miss games due to a physical injury or family deaths. Has he missed do to flu or anything? I'm ignorant as far as that goes. He's often tried to play hurt, and made things worse. So now he's heartless and a quitter? Doesn't make sense to me.

 

No idea. For some reason he's seen differently. Probably b/c of his playoff disappointments. And anyone who watches the games can see that's not his fault. You really can't ask more of him in the games. Unfortunately for him, he's come out on the losing side each time.

How many playoff series has he been in? I don't know. I only know of 3. Two here, and the 1 in orlando when he spoke out too soon about the 2nd round.

 

Do wha?

 

Yep. This is my point. Many have said, trade X player for someone with heart. I wonder how that heart is going to translate to more wins and a championship.

 

So why does one man, ie. McGrady, get the blame for no heart if it is the team as a whole that is showing no heart? I'm not saying he tries 100% of the time (he should in a perfect world), but if it's in the realm of possiblity, I see Tracy taking the game into his hands win or lose. Is that not what we expect our star players to do. Whether it's scoring himself or making the play, it's in his hands. He tries to win, it's not like he goes out to lose.

Hence the argument that the problem is execution. Honestly, I think it's up to the coaching staff and the "floor general" to adjust the gameplan on the fly. If they are denying the entry pass to Yao, stop trying to force it in. You are asking for a turnover as seen last night. Do something else.

I hear ya, but what could he have done differently? It's not like he goes out and says, we're up 2-0, let's go out and lose this puppy! What I've seen here in Houston is the role players not dealing with pressure all too well, and panicking. Is that even the correct spelling? Anyway, Yao doesn't seem to crack even though he's not considered very clutch at the moment. McGrady we know doesn't crack, he'll welcome the challenge and go for it. Yao becomes turnover prone, but I think that is due to all the attention that is on him when Tracy is out. Everyone else is just cracking under pressure. Don't force entry passes. "Take what the D gives you." It's undoubtedly better than a turnover.

 

Hahah. If I'm not there when my future wife is giving birth, I bet I got plenty of more problems to worry about then a sports writer and some fans calling me out.

Being in the NBA is his job. If his boss felt it was ok for him to leave the game, then what's the problem?

Let me guess, Fisher is awesome for playing in the playoffs last year after just being with his daughter? Pfth...dude, maybe I'm different, but I said to myself, "What the hell is he doin? He should be with his baby girl."

That's family. Your kid(s) being born only happens once per child. These athletes are still humans, and they have families. Playing ball is their job. There's another ball game after the one he left. Not like it was the playoffs.

One loss and some hatin so he can be there for his kid's birth. I think Tracy wins on that one.

 

You make good points. I agree, Mac should continue to drive even if he doesn't get the calls. I guess he figures, if I don't get the call, it's going to result in a turnover. I'd rather get a shot off instead. He's not the finisher he used to be. Well not consistently. Tracy moves without the ball plenty...but it's so he can get the ball, hahahaha. Yeah, weakness I know. Yao doesn't exactly move when the ball is on the opposite side of the floor. I think it's to try and throw off the D...try. They all know where the ball is going...they aren't fooling anyone.