T-Mac article (ESPN pg.2)

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=nichols/050218

By Rachel Nichols
Page 2

EDITOR'S NOTE: On occasion, we all need help. But where to turn? Fortunately, Rachel Nichols is here to bring us the special kind of advice that only the world's greatest athletes can dole out. Whether to take it ... well, that's up to you. Today's Ill-Advised expert: NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady.

RACHEL: He's No. 1 in your programs, and, well, No. 1 in your hearts -- at least in the hearts of the 1,993,687 of you who voted him a starter in the NBA All-Star Game. But before Tracy McGrady can distribute the rock in Denver, we've got him handing out advice on Page 2.

TRACY: Let's do it.

RACHEL: OK, but you have to answer our regular opening question: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?


New team, same result: McGrady is starting in the All-Star Game.

TRACY: Damn. Right out of the gate -- that's a tough one. I don't even know what I could say. I've gotten lots of good advice.

RACHEL: But did you listen?

TRACY: Sometimes. Sometimes you have to go out and learn things for yourself.

RACHEL: True. Like defending a Jordan jumper. Or teaching a goat to roller skate. There is no substitute for experience. Still, I bet you can help some of our Page 2 faithful. Let's start with Jeff Stokes in New York. He writes, "I have a crazy collection of basketball sneakers, but I'm about to move in with my girl, and she says I have to get rid of some of them. She doesn't want to live with a dude who has more shoes than she does, and besides, the apartment is pretty small. How do I pick which ones to keep?"

TRACY: Well, you have to keep the ones you play in. But you can put the rest aside, the smelly, the dingy ones. Just let them go.

RACHEL: Good rule of thumb: If your shoes can crawl away on their own, it's time to let them run free. Still, a lot of guys I know are bigger shoe hogs than any of my girlfriends. You must have a few pairs in the collection you just can't part with.

TRACY: You can't go wrong with just wearing all-white sneaks, and I've got a lot of those, but I don't wear basketball shoes out in the street. The only time I wear basketball shoes is when I'm playing.

RACHEL: Important to keep work and play separate. Except adult-film stars. Then pretty much anything goes.

Now this next one is a pretty big responsibility. Corey in Clearwater, Okla., writes, "I'm trying to decide who to name my unborn child after. It has to be a name that begins with a C, and we've narrowed it down to four names we like: Chike (as in Seattle Seahawks defensive end Chike Okeafor), Carmelo (as in Anthony), Corliss (as in Corliss Williamson), or Cuttino (as in Cuttino Mobley). My wife's favorite is Chike, but I think it sounds a little feminine. Any insight or suggestions?

TRACY: I'm going to have to go with the wife on this one. I like Chike because it's unique. I don't know that one. I already know a Cuttino; I know a Carmelo.

RACHEL: Well, sure, if we're going by your Rolodex, then we couldn't use Beyonce or Tyra either. Good thing it's going to be a boy. You're named Tracy -- did anyone ever tease you for having a girl's name?

TRACY: Oh they still do. It's, "Tracy's a girl's name, Tracy's a girl's name." But by the end of the game, they're loving me. It's, "Tracy, you're my favorite player."

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