Once Yao Ming was ruled out of the 2009-10 season after surgery to repair his broken left foot, Tracy McGrady was cast away from the thoughts of most. Mac underwent microfracture surgery in February, speculatively ruling him out until the middle of '09-10. But without Yao, the season seems doomed to begin with. This will potentially be Mac's final campaign in Houston, and given the state a Yao-less, McGrady-less Rockets will likely find themselves in by the time Tracy is cleared, there's really no use to having him, is there?This can all be nullified, however, if McGrady comes back early in the season and saves Houston from doom. And that's exactly what it appears may happen.
Jonathan Feigen, via The Baseline, reported Friday that Houston GM Darryl Morey visited Tim Grover's gym in Chicago this week to check up on Mr. McGrady. And he apparently liked what he saw.
"He's way, way ahead of schedule," Morey said. "He's already playing. I don't think anyone could have predicted he would be playing now. He still has a long way to go. There is a lot of rust to shake off."The way this is phrased, Morey sounds like a bro who knows he really shouldn't get too excited about the dame across the bar he just made eye contact with ... dangit that dame looks wonderful, but she's also aging, gimpy and emotionally quizzical. Morey doesn't want to pin his season on Mac because, well, Mac is coming back from microfracture at age 30. But ... hmm ... just imagine the possibilities.
With Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks etched in as apparent starters, scoring will be a big need. And with all due respect to Chuck Hayes' improved free throw stroke (no!), McGrady fits that role like latex. Inefficient latex, sure. But it still works. (Sometimes.)
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Nothing to see here. Move along, folks.
We'll believe Tracy "Half Man, Half a Season" McGrady is ahead of schedule when we see him back on the court. And, since he averages half a season now, wouldn't the Rockets be better off having him come back for the 2nd half of the season rather than losing him for the playoffs. Dude's body done gone out on him.
T-Mac Come Back!!!!! I Knew you would come back early!!!! Now come back wit a vengence!!!! Win that championship!!!!! Im still wit you!!!! Always have always will!!!! Show everyone wat you got left!!!!!! Put God First!!!
T-Mac, in my humble opinion, makes this team worse. Didn't they win like, what, 25+ games in a row without him? Didn't they make it to the playoffs without him this past year? Why the hell are they hooked on this guy? When he's on the court he's just a ballhog. He shoots ill advised shots all game and generally ruins the flow. It's the reason the Magic didn't want him in Orlando anymore; He's not the best team player out there.
I don't think he's done, or whatever, but he's got some major health issues that need to be accounted for. And, considering when he's on the court the Rockets don't do that splendid anyway, I don't see how he can be a savior for their season.
Tom, great work as always. Just one quick correction- you have Morey's name spelled wrong in the tags at the bottom (his name is "Daryl" not "Darryl")
It is obvious that T-MAC is going to need some help in the middle, so as a KNICK fan I am willing to part ways with Eddie Curry, in attempt to help the Rockets get back into the hunt for the championship, a solid presence in the middle is needed if houston wants to be considered serious contenders. EDDIE CURRY TO THE ROCKETS.............GO KNICKS
Houston, we have a problem. Cee-Smith, and Eddie Curry, want you to "Touch it, Houston". Maybe he wants you to trade McGrady for Curry. But even if Cee got his wish, which might cause Ming Yao to leave, he might go to Golden State, the Los Angeles Clippers, Miami, Orlando, Cleveland, Pnoenix, etc., but probably wouldn`t go to New York.
@imshortyk, T-Mac was the one carrying the Rockets the year before when they went on that 22 (I think) game win streak. It was Yao that was out for that stretch. He also played amazingly in the playoffs again, but going against a better Utah team, without homecourt, and with Yao and Rafer (for the last few games) out, it was not realistic for the Rockets to win.
T-Mac's always been unfairly criticized by the general public for his playoff "failures", even though most of the years he's been in the playoffs, his co-star on the team (Grant Hill and then Yao) was almost always hurt. And his numbers have been better in the playoffs in his career. His body's just wearing down on him after 11 years in the league.
Most of you guys commenting negatively about T-Mac have never scored a basket on any level of competition. Be careful what you ask for. you want him out of Houston so bad and he could become a "Rocket Killer".
t- mac sucks