He shouldn't have told anyone this and just told the Rockets people because then he could at least pretend like he's gonna sign another contract so he'll have some trade value. Then we can trade him right after to get someone decent back, then he can retire. That's IF TMac really cares about Houston. Ok I'm not making any sense at all. I just hope we get someone good after he leaves.. maybe that Gay kid wasn't a bad idea..
Why are you guys surprised? His body is already starting to fail him, and I don't think he wants to walk off the court only when he's crippled. His back condition is degenartive. And he knows this is his last shot at playoff redemption. By then, he would have played as much as MJ played in his entire career, and as much if not more than Magic and Bird. Again, not surprising at all, and I don't see it as a big deal. If nothing else, this gives the team ample time to make up their minds regarding what direction the team wants to take, even if they want to trade him before then. As a sidenote, I respect pro athletes who decide to 'hang it up' when they don't have to just yet, It's respectable in this day and age when players often have to be 'hauled off' the court kicking and screaming.
Whether he'll do it or not who knows but its surely not surprising that he would say that. McGrady seems to go off "feel" or how he feels so when he's feeling low in the dumps (which seems like 9 months out of 10) he might say something to generate response. His injuries and back spasms are real but he thinks too deep on stuff like 'losing' a bit of a step and getting old and all that. Its all mental and psychological now. Or perhaps he's tired of basketball and dealing with the pressure it can bring would rather wake up and mow the lawn and chill out at home.
What trade value? If he retires, we would have lots of money left over to sign another major player if we wanted to. Again, he still could be traded to a team knowing that he would walk off and free their cap. So the value is still there. BTW, the Gay angle to this is why some of us didn't want the trade to go through, because this guy could have been tutored by one of the best swingmen in the league.
I just think T-Mac isn't that type of player, he doesn't have the Kobe Bryant or Allen Iverson mentality. McGrady made it in the NBA because he was a freak athlete, not because he worked hard or anything like that. I think last year drained him, I remember he was so excited at the start of last season, talking about how he has never worked out so hard in his entire life and how he was really looking forward to the upcoming season. I believe the incidents that occured(injuries, deaths in the family) gave him a new outlook on life. He doesn't have that young "I am unstoppable" attitude anymore.
he is trying american dream with early retirement. Oh well LBJ and flashs contracts also expires and by then, Im assuming shaq also retires. So why dont we just lure 1 of them here with tmac's money combined by more growth with yao by then.
Tmac is so full of crap. Talent wise he might be the best player in the NBA. But by saying stupid crap like this it just shows he doesnt have the heart of a champion. I can pretty much bet anything he is not going to retire at 30. NOBODY in their right mind would turn down a $70-80 MILLION contract.
I have no problems with him saying what's on his mind. With his confidence where it is and his health questions the last couple of years, I can see why he's thinking this. But if his back and health hold up for the next 3 years and we make some runs, his mind will change. We all have days, weeks, or months where we feel differently than we "should" or do otherwise. He's just giving us what's on his mind righ tnow..
That maybe what he is doing for himself. But when a star athlete no longer has it and is gonna hang it up for good and retire (usually late 30's-early 40's), that's still way WAY earlier retirement than the rest of the country. This is like a Ricky Williams thing, without the herb (at least we think ). He probably really likes basketball especially when it came easy to him (like another poster mentioned) but doesnt love it. Or considers more his dislike of pressure and expectation more than his liking of basketball. Can't twist his arm to make him play and see the good in it if he doesn't really want it but this isnt sounding like that. Keeps talking about old and not feeling right and being a distributor and this and that. Go see a therapist, man lol
