I agree, it is good to see tmac being aggressive and getting to the free throw line. Also, he has been getting alot of deflections and steals on defense, so when he gets healthy hopefully tmac will improve further on defense. T-mac is not taking as many "heat checks" so far and that is good, most of his jump shots (even though he is shooting badly) have been good looks and he just has to find a rhythm. I also like the way he has been posting up smaller guards.
When you attack the rack, you get fouled. It's that easy. The difference in free throws this year I think has been attributable to T-Mac's aggressiveness, Aaron Brooks' aggressiveness, Yao's post moves, and Artest's agressiveness. Also, Barry's passing has led to some layups which had to be contested. Overall, I think this team can dominate inside, especially once we get all our people on the same page.
Wait wait wait, he deserves credit for MAKING his free throws. He finally looks confident out there and I think that's why he wants to attack and get to the line. If you don't make them you just don't wanna go there because those are not sure points for you.
Thats the same think I was thinking about his shots. Most of them has been great shots, shots you want him to take. The only thing is right now he can't make them becasue his lift is still not there all the way. But the good thing is he did make a few at the end of the last game we played so maybe thats a start that hes going to get a lot better and making more of his shots.
There's a bunch of factors to why T-Mac is getting to the line. The refs are finally giving him some calls. Now if they could only give Yao 50% of the calls instead of the normal 5% of the time... but that might result in 40 free throws. OK, at least 25% of the time. Artest also is a factor. Those driving lanes are gonna look more like 5am traffic rather than 5pm traffic. Brent Barry's known marksmanship is also a factor here. T-Mac is taking advantage of that fact and being more aggressive himself. Also when the shot isn't falling the next thing to do as a scorer is to get to the line.
McGrady will be able to get to the rim any time he wants this year. With the talent we have on the floor it will be nearly impossible to double team him regularly. He changed his free throw shooting and three point shot for this year in an effort to be around 80 percent from the line and around 38 from three. THe free throws are there, and I'm sure the three ball will be once he has the strength back in his knee. He won't elevate as much on it as he has in the past, but footage of his Orlando days would show you that he had the most success with the 3 when he wasn't elevating as much as he has here. What has me the msot excited is that we were a dangerous team when we didn't hit our free throws or threes last year. This year we should be a great free throw shooting team as well as a great three point shooting team, which makes us deadlier than ever.
I rate your thread 5 stars because this is at least a positive thread about our players. I dislike the annual debate of Tmac VS Yao, Howard VS Yao, etc.
this is what t-mac meant by seeing a "fierce" t-mac this season. he's attacked the basket more in these 3 games than he has the past 2 years.
Did he say somehwere that he changed his mechanics? I know I don't want to see that 29% ever, ever again. Nice thread. I agree.
I think alot of it has to due with the lack of double teams. The fact that he doesn't have to run a Halfback Option to get to the lane anymore has helped him conserve energy. He's actually getting fouled too! In the past it was 50/50, but of course he still let's out that agonizing grunt 100% of the time. I think he'll continue going to the basket as long as he's confident he'll hit his free throws.
Yeah I've been really impressed with his ability to draw fouls and hit the FTs during this start. hopefully he keeps it up.
Its completly different....free throws you ca take your time a jumper you have a guy all over you giving you pressure
T-Mac is a streaky shooter. He'll get his stroke back however I am glad to see him attack the basket. He can get to the foul line whether he has his shot or not.
At the beginning of last season, before he got banged up, he was playing like the "old" TMac, being aggressive, etc. It looks like he has decided to play that way again, despite not having his legs back yet. I can only hope, that as he gets more into shape and as his knee gets healthier, he continues to be aggressive, and a few more of his shots fall.
Now this is strictly my opinion, but I think this year we will see less of those bs heat check fading jumpers from Tmac. And the reason is Ron Artest. Before him I dont think any one on the team had the guts to call him on his some time soft play. If Tmac starts to fall back into hold habits you better believe that Ron will be in his face telling him about it.
