IMO it's so can other play , All the starters and key players play more in the beginning and the subs play a little later.
Don't know about Day 1, 2 and 3. Probably gased and had to take a break. But for Day 4, well, it was for different reason. http://sports.sohu.com/20071006/n252488749.shtml It was reported in every of the Chinese websites that maybe it was due to some of his preseason back treatment with John Patterson, and the tough practice in the past 2 to 3 days, he had developed some kind of strange skin disease, with blisters appearing on several parts of his body, that stretches of skin started to peel off. That made him uncomfortable and had to take early rest in Day 4.
he sat out day 2 b/c of the blister in his foot that is unrelated to any back problems. does EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING have to be his back? like pruyen said, it was peeling badly in day 2 but he came back on day 3 and 4. plus practices have been 3 hrs and they went HARD. it's typical for the main guys to shut it down early. a REAL game is only 2 hours of full time.
Source? I would think that with a new coach and a new system, Adelman and the Rockets would like Mac to practice as much as possible, despite being a main guy.
it was reported in the chron. u can go to the chron and read all the updates. tmac said it himself he didn't practice at all in day 2 b/c of the blister.
Again, not trying to defend Novak. But any player who has made it to the NBA training camp can do those things in college, even in summer league. But can they do it in NBA games? That's what the coaches need to determine basing on their performances in practice, and in preseason games. Novak was not a one-dimensional player in college. From what I saw in some footage of his college games, he could score in a variety of ways. He wasn't a good rebounder or defender, but he was a great offensive player in college. He has not been able to do that on the NBA level. Those other guys have not proved that they can either. The coaches might think that they have the potential to do it. If so, I am fine with it. But I don't think as fans we can say much about it.
Hey C'MON !! Even though it is with a new head caoch and a new systems, you don't expect your main guy to play with his blisters bursting and with skins peeling off, do you? As doublehh03 said, every of those team practice/scrimmage session lasted at least 3 hours, you need to give your players some breathers and rests. You don't need to worry or doubt about TMAC's work ethic. IMHO, he is as geared up as everybody else with the change of the new coach and new systems. I just read an article from one of those Chinese websites, right after the end of Day 4 when every other players left, Tracy McGrady and Big Yao still went into the gym for another 20-minute workout.
To think of the people now that PLEADED endlessly for Steve Novak to start at power forward I agree, even preseason I didnt have that much trust when the ball was in Novak's hands. Thought him as a weaker link, while Mike Harris was an undersized scoring machine, and not that I wanted him on the team but Andre Emmett even showed me more than Novak in all honesty... Novak's last year's preseason performance along with his not often enough but occasional masterful shooting touch makes me think he CAN serve a role in the league as 3pt specialist/designated shooter . Just maybe not with this current team, and wouldnt be too upset if they were to find another place for him
i know this has been beaten to death but this REALLY is their defining year. if tracy can advance deep in the playoffs, he will regain his status as a top 5 player. if he wins it all, he may be considered as the #1 player. if yao can advance deep in the playoffs, he will be the CLEAR-CUT best center and will easily be deemed as the best offensive big man in the game today. if he wins it all, he will put a stamp on his career, which can turn into a legendary one. tmac's work ethic is shown in tmac losing all those pounds and going into camp at 225 lbs, which could EASILY be down to 220 or 215 when the season starts. plus his conditioning is probably great already since he hasn't complained of getting tired playing in this offense. yao is always in great shape and already learning the plays probably even in China. our 2 stars are ready. our organization is ready. the fans are ready. IT'S TIME.
I'm wondering if they are gonna groom Harris as the low budget replacement for Bonzi when Bonzi walks next year. We obviously won't be able to give Bonzi $5 mill per along with re-signing Stevie. This is probably a one year run for him, maybe even a one year run for Stevie too. If Harris can take his man from the perimeter, that sounds like Bonzi-lite to me.
It's the following guys on the Roster: Yao, Mutumbo Scola, Hayes Battier, Wells McGrady, Head Francis, James, Brooks Out of all the guys remaining to fill up the Club, I don't care which one of those guys make it. Landry, Novak, Lucas, Harris, Butler, Alston, Reed, Snyder, etc. It matters not. I don't exempt any of those guys to contribute much. Yeah, who are they going to bump in the rotation?
