1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

  2. ROCKETS GAMEDAY
    Just Dave flying solo tonight -- come join us for live postgame as the Rockets collapsed then came back to beat the Pelicans 107-105 Friday night!

    LIVE! ClutchFans on YouTube
Welcome ClutchFans Live

Two-time scoring champ carries a little baggage

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by GimmeDaRock, Jun 30, 2004.

Tags:
Page 1 of 2
  1. GimmeDaRock

    GimmeDaRock Member

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 1999
    Messages:
    166
    Likes Received:
    171
    Two-time scoring champ carries a little baggage
    By FRAN BLINEBURY
    Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle


    If the eyes are truly the window to the soul, you half expect to tiptoe up to Tracy McGrady's sleepy chocolate brown peepers and see Miles Davis lounging inside there in silk pajamas on a crushed velvet sofa. McGrady makes everything look easy. Pulling up for a jump shot. Driving to the hoop for a mind-bending dunk. Doing anything he wants on a basketball court with a minimum of effort.


    McGrady makes everything look cool. Maybe too cool. From the way he handles his celebrity to the way he handled the nightmarish season he just went through in Orlando, where the Magic started out 1-5, at one point lost 19 games in a row and finished a miserable 21-61.

    What the Rockets got Tuesday by swapping Steve Francis for McGrady is a bigger player — 6-8, 210 pounds — and a more difficult matchup for opposing defenses, an almost-impossible-to-guard complement to Yao Ming in the middle. Not to mention a two-time NBA scoring champion with averages of 32.1 and 28.0 points in the last couple of seasons.

    They also got baggage in the form of questions, which is why a player of his stature was available in the first place. There is the tendinitis in his knee, which McGrady said was the reason he shut it down for the last nine games of the season. There have been chronic problems with his back. There is uncertainty about his competitive fire.

    When McGrady is at the top of his game, there are few others like him — languid, smooth, like syrup running off a stack of hot pancakes. Whether he is flipping the ball off the backboard glass and throwing it down for a dunk in the All-Star Game or reaching up to flick away a would-be jumper by Kobe Bryant and then smiling sheepishly, it is a style that can only be described as sweet.

    "He's doing things we've never seen before," Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle once said.

    The fact is, different parts of McGrady's game have been seen before in so many different players. But perhaps never have they been rolled all into one. He is a jazz riff with two legs.


    From preps to pros
    McGrady, 25, was born in Auburndale, Fla., a spot on the freeway that connects Tampa and Orlando. He played basketball, football and baseball in high school, and nothing ever seemed beyond the reach of his talent or imagination.

    So just two years after Kevin Garnett made the jump directly from high school to the NBA, McGrady, then 18, took flight from Mount Zion Christian Academy in Durham, N.C., and became the ninth overall pick in the 1997 NBA draft by Toronto.

    Joining his cousin, Vince Carter, on the Raptors, McGrady at first said he'd be willing to bide his time and wait his turn. But after averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in his third pro season, his patience ran out.

    McGrady entered free agency in 2000 and flirted for a good part of the summer with the Chicago Bulls, who wanted to make him the successor to Michael Jordan in their backcourt and the centerpiece of their franchise. Instead he eventually forced a trade to Orlando for a future first-round draft choice in a plan to be united with fellow free agent Grant Hill with the Magic.


    Dynamic duo derailed
    However, Hill immediately began suffering problems with a broken bone in his foot and has spent most of his time in rehab. That has left McGrady trying to carry all of the load for the past four seasons and never getting very far. Finally, when this past season collapsed around him, McGrady began looking again for an exit.

    There is no denying his almost unstoppable offensive talents, which are partly the result of a long, athletic body. In fact, it is length — the word all of the scouts use — that is usually first brought up to describe McGrady. His sleeve measurement is 50 inches, and his fingers are extra long like those of a piano virtuoso, giving him the reach and wingspan of a 7-footer. Add to that his athletic moves — the kind more likely to be seen from a player who stands 6-3 — and you have a player who is special.

    You trade a player of Francis' considerable skills only if you are trading up. And in terms of talent, that's the case with McGrady.

    "If everybody was out on a playground somewhere, it wouldn't take long for all of them to figure out who was supposed to get the ball," said former Magic coach Doc Rivers, now in charge of the Celtics. "No matter how good everybody thought they were before he showed up, they'd know to get him the ball."


    The end in Orlando
    The knocks have come in the areas of leadership, maturity and heart. McGrady's team had a 3-1 lead on Detroit in the first round of the 2003 playoffs but could never close out the Pistons, losing 4-3. A former teammate, Horace Grant, who played with Jordan in Chicago, said McGrady didn't have the drive.

    Grant claimed McGrady was lazy and a malingerer. Word leaked out last season of McGrady's missing a shocking number of practices, begging out early on others. There are tales of his falling asleep more than once during video sessions. Too easy. Too cool.

    As last season became a disaster, McGrady seemed to disengage from the Magic. His defense became virtually nonexistent. He moved his offensive game outside and merely launched jumpers, saving the banging on his body but shooting only .417 from the field. He even spoke of retirement.

    As the season wound down, McGrady talked openly of opting out of his contract one year before it expired. He didn't want to wait anymore for Hill to mend. He didn't want to wait for the Magic to rebuild. Then last week he told team owner Rich DeVos he wanted to move on.

    Now, as he prepares to join his third team for his eighth NBA season, McGrady says he wants to play for the Rockets, wants to play with Yao Ming.

    So cool, so easy to be Tracy McGrady.
     
    #1 GimmeDaRock, Jun 30, 2004
  2. Davidoff

    Davidoff Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2004
    Messages:
    5,643
    Likes Received:
    9
    Dont know what to think about this.....coming from our paper and all.
     
    #2 Davidoff, Jun 30, 2004
  3. Cipherous

    Cipherous Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2002
    Messages:
    644
    Likes Received:
    0
    We'll see.

    Lets see what Van Gundy has in store for us.
     
    #3 Cipherous, Jun 30, 2004
  4. dandorotik

    dandorotik Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2002
    Messages:
    10,855
    Likes Received:
    3,752
    Here's the thing with Blinebury- guy definitely has talent for writing, in the use of metaphors, the way he varies sentence structure, etc. From a purely aesthetic point of view, he is a great writer.

    The problem is that he's not strong when it comes to content. His writing is like eye-candy- sure, it reads well, but it kinda rings hollow. Sleepy chocolate brown peepers? Great use of imagery, but do we really care about this? My answer is no.

    Unlike others who criticize Fran for being a Rockets hater, I have no problem with his critical views- most of the time, he has a valid point, and it is not his job to be a fan of the team. I just think he's in the wrong field. He's been doing this for years- equating sports to the meaning of life and trying to come up with the oh-so-clever phrase that will make the reader stop and gasp in awe of his literary sensibilities.

    Note to Fran, if you read this board: SAVE THE POETRY FOR THE UNIVERSITY LECTURE! We know you can turn a cool phrase, but please God no more "jazz riff with two legs" quotes. Remember the KISS principle: Keep it simple, sourpuss!
     
    #4 dandorotik, Jun 30, 2004
  5. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2001
    Messages:
    18,100
    Likes Received:
    447
    Well, there's no denying that there are flaws there. Skipping practices, beggin out of practices, falling asleep at video sessions, do you guys think this stuff is made up? He's worth the risk, and he's only 25, so he can still grow out of that.
     
    #5 Oski2005, Jun 30, 2004
  6. Ra Ooh La La

    Ra Ooh La La Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2004
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    I'm not sure that it's been touched on enough of how disappointed TMac must feel about his time in ORL. I know he's expressed that he has no regrets, but his tenure just never played out the way he had truly imagined. Between him and GHill, they were supposed to be kings of the East. How frustrating it must've been for him to choose the Magic because of Hill only to never play with the guy. God forbid, it would be similar to a situation where Yao got hurt.

    The guy wants to win. And to think he feels Houston is a special opportunity - Playing alongside Yao Ming. I always got the feeling Cat and SF3 felt Yao was intruding on their turf or something (From the moment Yao arrived to the screams from crowd pleading for them to pass the ball). But TMac could go anywhere in the league, and he wanted to play with Yao. That speaks volumes to me ... about the man's appreciation of Yao Ming ... about his desire to play ... about his desire to win.

    TMac respects winning. TMac respects a purpose with a successful end in sight. He wouldn't be coming to Houston to play for JVG with thoughts of BSing around. I think TMac just wants to be fufilled. In a similar mold to Jordan, he feels there's a destiny for him to claim. And no matter how great you are on paper, true greatness will be measured by Championships.

    His first words to Yao would be "Win me a Championship" and "Let's light up Houston," or something like that. He's got his eyes on greatness. I have a feeling were gonna enjoy TMac being "easy."
     
    #6 Ra Ooh La La, Jun 30, 2004
  7. Raven

    Raven Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2002
    Messages:
    14,984
    Likes Received:
    1,025
    As I've said many times this week, if he doesn't work out, he can be traded.

    Easily.
     
    #7 Raven, Jun 30, 2004
  8. Roc Paint

    Roc Paint Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2001
    Messages:
    22,329
    Likes Received:
    12,444
    please no

    Oh, bye the way. Fran is an idiot.
     
    #8 Roc Paint, Jun 30, 2004
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2004
  9. arkoe

    arkoe (ง'̀-'́)ง

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2001
    Messages:
    10,398
    Likes Received:
    1,607
    Blinebury tends to be one of the more pessimistic writers when it comes to Houston's sports teams. If he didn't like the trade, I doubt he would bull**** with it. He used to openly bash Drexler when he was on the Rockets.
     
    #9 arkoe, Jun 30, 2004
  10. IROC it

    IROC it Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 1999
    Messages:
    12,629
    Likes Received:
    89
    Two-timing flopping champ writes a little tee-pee
    By IROC it, about FRANCIS BLINDFURY
    Copywrong 2004 Houston Crunkicle

    So cool, so easy to be a sports writer.

    Why just one glance into my 15" TFT monitor told me I was about to take a journey worthy of the porceline throne variety. A little push here, a slight grunt there... and hey, I can push out something that floats too.

    No, it may not be quite as attractive in length and girth, but it floats out here in the cyber-cesspool nontheless. And if you oogle it too long, you may also sense that it has that unmistaken signature maloderous stench... almost as if someone wanted to lure you with the sound of a thundering "splash," only to leave you with that hollow, empty "funk."

    Too cool, too easy. Some call it "Crap laden, fact tweaking."

    I call it being a sports writer.

    link to the story
     
    #10 IROC it, Jun 30, 2004
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2004
  11. Ra Ooh La La

    Ra Ooh La La Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2004
    Messages:
    227
    Likes Received:
    0
    Very Nice :)
     
    #11 Ra Ooh La La, Jun 30, 2004
  12. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

    Joined:
    May 21, 2002
    Messages:
    6,652
    Likes Received:
    0
    If anyone can Motivate our boy, IT'S JVG!!. i'm not worried about his motivation or the lack of it!. he'll be fine...
     
    #12 blazer_ben, Jun 30, 2004
  13. alain076

    alain076 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 28, 2003
    Messages:
    37
    Likes Received:
    0
    At least with tmac we will get some more respects from the refs even if he brings nothing else.

    If I remember right we were like the worst 5 teams in the nba in terms of fta. With tmac and the yao combo and the natural media exposure along with that I certainly hope we will at least crack the top 10 next season.

    Referees respect is critical if you want to win a championship.
     
    #13 alain076, Jun 30, 2004
  14. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    66,746
    Likes Received:
    34,379
    Orlando thought it would be easy too

    The question is. . . would we get something
    as good as what Orlando Got?

    REMEMBER SCOTTIE PIPPEN . . . trading him should have been easy too


    Rocket River

    I have no worries about this trade
     
    #14 Rocket River, Jun 30, 2004
  15. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

    Joined:
    May 21, 2002
    Messages:
    6,652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Considering He is a Unrestricted Free agent Next season, we could nothing in return if he decides to packup and leave. i hope he Signs the Extension now :D
     
    #15 blazer_ben, Jun 30, 2004
  16. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 1999
    Messages:
    66,746
    Likes Received:
    34,379
    I disagree
    JVG is a curser
    JVG is a yeller
    JVG is a MFer MFer
    JVG is NOT a Motivator

    I think our 3rd quarters this past year says one of two things
    1. He not a motivator
    2. his half time adjustments sucks

    I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt on the Latter

    Rocket River
    Rudy may not have JVG's basketball IQ .. but he was a LEADER OF MEN
    JVG has not proven that to me yet. . .
     
    #16 Rocket River, Jun 30, 2004
  17. blazer_ben

    blazer_ben Rookie

    Joined:
    May 21, 2002
    Messages:
    6,652
    Likes Received:
    0
    Dude, Maybe T-mac is the One looking for a coach like JVG. I dont think there is one player in the league who dosent know wht JVG is all about!. By Picking The Rox as his First choice, he Also picked JVG as his coach too!.
     
    #17 blazer_ben, Jun 30, 2004
  18. IROC it

    IROC it Member

    Joined:
    Feb 16, 1999
    Messages:
    12,629
    Likes Received:
    89
    That it is a good point... yet, I can't help but ask, "Did T-Mac really know what he was getting himself into?"

    I hope so. I hope it all works out.
     
    #18 IROC it, Jun 30, 2004
  19. rvpals

    rvpals Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2002
    Messages:
    2,283
    Likes Received:
    1
    Nice words. I totally agree with you.

    We could see a dynasty here in Houston.
     
    #19 rvpals, Jun 30, 2004
  20. ico4498

    ico4498 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 15, 1999
    Messages:
    3,833
    Likes Received:
    1,562
    "You trade a player of Francis' considerable skills only if you are trading up. And in terms of talent, that's the case with McGrady."

    that rings true.

    can't figger why rocket fans are griping about the rest though. Whinebury managed to regurgitate the valid questions about TMac, stick it in some flowery prose and get paid. nice job if you can get it.
     
    #20 ico4498, Jun 30, 2004
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2

Share This Page