Look, I love the guy, but he is fragile, and is proven to pout, and not put out full effort every game. He is hardly a warrior. Actually I think he cares a lot about others, and is not as single minded as someone like Kobe or AI, and that is a very good quality in a human being, and one to be admired. Tmac is great, no doubt, especially when he WANTS to be. I just wish he wanted to be great every game. DD
To repeat what has been posted before in other threads about back pain: It can be very sudden. He probably didn't have much (if any pain) on the dunk. But when he was knocked down on the jumpshot, something tweaked. Back spasms can completely blindside you, even in the middle of an NBA game or practice session. It can even blindside you pushing open a door or sitting up after putting socks on. Simple as that. Please don't question the validity of Tracy's pain. Severe back pain would slow down the Incredible Hulk. Back problems caused Larry Bird to retire. I don't know if any of you remember how good Larry Johnson (Grandma) was before his back problems. He was a completely different player afterwards. If you want to question Tracy's fragility/durability BECAUSE of his back, I think that is valid. But it isn't a heart issue.
pout? who was pouting? Are you referring to people dying again? I wont even go there. Maybe there is something wrong. Maybe just maybe we shouldnt bash the guy once something bad happens to him. He cant have a problem without being criticized. I know, that fool should've won tonights game on his own. Then took care of his back at home The cockeyed tinman needs some more leadership classes. How dare he not want to play when 9 people in his circle died back to back How dare he go out there and get hurt again, and act like its painful Anything less than full force, scowls and screaming, MJ like fg% and perfection makes Iverson better than him I mean look at the coach, even though his gameplan makes Tmac get trapped at the top of the key, tmac should drop every 3 he shoots...I mean 100% 3pfg%, then he needs to drive and fly, the back spams will just have to take a rain check. Anything short of a miracle is unacceptable. Lets trade him for Michael Redd., Bowen can start at SF. He plays harder
I'm sure T-Mac wants to be great every game. Remember the heavy workload he carried last season: he certainly didn't complain. This year though, his body isn't up to it, and I think we should respect that. It comes down to what we want from him. Do we want to burn him out in a few months, or do we want years of greatness from him? I am opting for the latter.
You hit it right on the head with that one. I just pray Tmac's back dosent get that bad. Larry Johnson was a MONSTER before his back went out, and was never the same player afterwards.
Pssst... they wont believe you. Wont admit he did all of his share and more all last season, or how Yao led the team to only 1 win without him. They think he doesnt need a real backup or rest. They think he should do it all despite anything that happens.
Last year he was great, led the team and showed some serious passion, this year....not so great. Though I will concede that losing 9 people in 9 years has to take a major emotional toll on him. Hopefully he gets healthy in mind and body. DD
Are they doing anything to treat his back? From what has been said previously by the team, TMac's back can't really be treated and rest doesn't really help it much either. I wonder maybe he should try some unconventional methods like acupuncture. One of the guys that I play ball with had a recurring muscle pull (of his gluteus maximus of all places) that recurred every couple of months just as he thought he was healthy enough to play sports again. The last time he pulled it, it was so severe that he couldn't walk normally even after half a year. He got all the standard treatments and nothing worked. He was basically resigned to giving up sports completely until he went in for acupuncture just on a whim. After just one session, he was completely healed. I've been playing ball almost every week with this guy for the last three years and he haven't had any problems during that time. I've met other people who had success with acupuncture as well. It seems that acupuncture works really well in cases of muscle and tendon problems. At this point, I think TMac should give it a try. Nothing else seems to work anyway. Yao probably could hook him up with the best acupuncturist around.
I think too many people rate T-Mac's leadership qualities, desire, passion, etc. by his demeanor. If I was to do that as well, I would think T-Mac is a lazy son of a b****, just because he's so smooth when he plays that he makes the game look too easy. The guy is laid-back, relaxed, chill, and his demeanor is the same way. T-Mac leads by example, and guess what, so does Dirk, and people are all over Dirk for MVP. Giving a guy a high five has nothing to do with leadership, giving a guy a pat on the back has nothing to do with leadership, but trusting your team mates and making them the best player they can be is. Screaming at a teamate for doing something wrong is a type of leadership, but not T-Mac's. If you've seen tigermission1's signature, THAT's leadership IMO. If your team is 2 - 16 when you don't finish/ play in the game. That's leadership. If your team is 20-10 when you and your other all star play, that's leadership. If it's considered your team, then, that's leadership.
From what I know, it's not cureable, but it's semi-preventable. T-Mac worked too hard in the offseason, the only time he could get some rest, and it took a toll on his back. With a good amount of rest this offseason, he should be almost like new for the 06-07 season. He would never get a back spasm again if he stopped playing basketball right now, stopped working out, stopped putting stress on his back. I could almost 100% guarantee you on that. ...If that gives you an idea of how much rest he needs this offseason. However, he will still be doing workouts, but not extremely physically stressing workouts, I would imagine.
it would be a really huge slap to western medicine (in the area of back pain) if poking some needles could cure t-mac's back. but if it works, then fly him to china if needed!
A doctor, THAT'S IT! Someone get the Rockets on the phone, I'll bet they haven't even thought to talk to a doctor.
yes, acupuncture can be the cure. I have heard of plenty of successful stories of this mysterious, yet marvalous medical method.
