http://www.cleveland.com/nba/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1136713002173020.xml&coll=2 Labor policy? Leave work Sunday, January 08, 2006 Branson Wright Plain Dealer Reporter Houston All-Star Tracy McGrady left his team last month to be with his fiancée, who was in labor. A player leaving the team to attend the birth of his child is nothing new, but McGrady's departure was unusual because he left the Rockets during the middle of a game. The Rockets, who had lost two straight, were ahead of the Utah Jazz by five at halftime. Houston already was without Yao Ming, Rafer Alston, Derek Anderson and Jon Barry. In their absence, McGrady was pretty much the Rockets' only option and had 21 points at halftime. Once he got word his fiancée was in labor, McGrady left for the hospital, and the Rockets' offense went stale, registering just 33 second-half points in an 82-74 loss on Dec. 27. Despite leaving at halftime, McGrady was the Rockets' leading scorer. The 6-8 forward had no regrets about leaving. "This is my family, and I'm going to do what I feel is best," said McGrady, who witnessed the birth of son Laymen Lamar. "I've been playing basketball for nine years, and you only get to see the birth of your son one time, so when it comes to family, nothing else matters." Many supported McGrady's decision to be with his fiancée. In a fan poll in Houston, 90 percent were in support of McGrady's move. But what if a player had to miss a playoff game? What about Game 7 of the NBA Finals? McGrady said the significance of the game would not have changed his mind. "Not one bit," McGrady said. Cavaliers guard Eric Snow and his wife have three children. Nothing has stopped Snow from being there for each child's birth. While with the Philadelphia 76ers, Snow missed a game for the birth of his middle son. "I'm going to be there with my wife and my child," Snow said. "I wouldn't think twice about it. I would take a fine if I had to. The birth of a child is a special situation. Anyone that has a child has to understand that. The birth of a child is a blessing."
