A welcome back note for Tracy McGrady

by grungedave on Jan 26, 2009 8:52 AM CST in Whimsical Posts Comment 6 comments

Tracy, I know at times it seems like we really dislike you here. That's not the case at all. You are an excellent basketball player... and we all know that. You also have the ability to do things that maybe 3-4 other players in the league can do (those players being named "Kobe", "LeBron", "~~Von Wafer~~" and "Dwyane".)

The problem -- and the reason that so many people criticize you -- is that you often end up doing things that only your distant cousin does... Mr. Vince Carter. Who is another "could be" great player but who really isn't.

Let me see if I can explain this better:

Basketball-court_medium

via static.howstuffworks.com

Yes, I found this at "howstuffworks" - it seemed appropriate. Anyway, that area they call the Free Throw Lane (in red a.k.a. "the paint")... well, I know you probably feel like Marco Polo discussing this considering that it must seem to you that no man would ever venture into the paint. Surprisingly... people go there all the time.

By my count, in your return game last night against Detroit, you actually stepped foot inside the "red" area twice. 2 times. That is... ummmm... a concern. You took 14 shots in 37 minutes (37!?!? In a row?). Of these 14 shots, exactly one would qualify as a "layup" or an attempt to go to the basket. The good news? YOU MADE THAT SHOT!! Woo hoo! You see... this is a good thing. I encourage you to do it again. And again. And again.

Because you still shoot wayyyy too many long-distance jump shots that bail out the defense. Going to the basket causes problems for the other team... they have to foul you... or try to double-team you... or just let you have a layup. All three results are good for the team. Your team. Think about it.

In the meantime, welcome back!

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I know any positive feedback on McGrady is taboo, but...

One of those two times he stepped foot inside that “red” area, was to pretty much seal the game. He made the big shot when no one else could buy a bucket.

I do my fair share of McGrady bitching, but a little optimism never hurt anybody, in my opinion.

by Mike Kerns on Jan 26, 2009 11:40 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

think I'm harsh?

If you think I’m being tough, check out Dwyer on BDL…

And I think my favorite Tracy McGrady moment of this contest was when he found himself with an offensive rebound some 29 feet from the hoop on the right wing with a new 24 second shot clock. 19 seconds later, a shot of his hit the front rim, off an 18-foot “jumper.” Of course, no other Rocket had touched the ball during that 19-second “possession.” McGrady just held it, dribbled for a little bit, and chucked it. Someone kindly send T-Mac to 2002, where he’s clearly more comfortable.

Ouch.

by grungedave on Jan 26, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not a Tmac apologist. Im just saying it was his first game back and even if he had went off for 40, people were still going to criticize him.

I have hated the jumpshot thing since his first year here. So I get it.

It’s kind of like President Bush. Yeah, we all know what we had with him. It just gets tiring hearing everyone whine about it.

However, I know I am in the minority on this opinion, so I will shut up.

Good write-up. Dont think I thought it was a bad post.

Keep up the good work.

by Mike Kerns on Jan 26, 2009 2:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he just frustrates me

I love watching McGrady play… but only when he really plays. This “stand around and do jump shots” routine is infuriating.

by grungedave on Jan 26, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

T-Mac is a BALL HOG

I remember another sequence, it was right after Rafer missed a wide-open 3pt shot and Shane got the rebound. I don’t know who or why they passed the ball to T-Mac and once he got it, Ron Artest stood at the top of the elbow and asked for the ball. T-Mac told him to go away and then with 5 seconds left he took a 16-footer which he missed.

We went 7-21 in the 4th quarter, but made ONLY 2 FG in the last 5 min. To me it seemed like Rafer and T-Mac were teaming up to make us lose this game. Instead of passing the ball they would hold on to it and take bad shots.

What I don’t understand is why, Why, WHY wouldn’t Coach Sleepy run more plays for Scola since he had the hot hand?? Isn’t it common sense? or even Ron Artest for crying out loud!

Yes we did win, and yes it was thanks to T-Macs layup, but that was AFTER a LOT of poor decision-making and when he FINALLY decided to take it to the hoop. Hopefully it won’t repeat in another 4th quarter drought,,,

by Carlos_HoustonSportsFanatic on Jan 26, 2009 3:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs