Could McGrady be back already? (Answer: Not quite)

by Tom Martin on Sep 28, 2009 10:32 AM CDT in Random Commentary

Jonathan Feigen is beginning to talk as if Tracy McGrady's could be back for the start of the season. This, while all of us were expecting mid-December as a possible return date.

From NBA, Feigen's blog for the Chronicle:

The Rockets will have to make their first coaching decision of the season on Monday. Daryl Morey and Rick Adelman will have to decide whether Tracy McGrady plays on Tuesday.

That might seem a pretty easy choice. If he is healthy, he practices; if not, he doesn't. But as always with McGrady, it's not that simple.

In a way maybe it should be that clear. Assuming McGrady is returning to Houston declaring himself ready to go - and all indications out of Chicago have been that he is determined to start on time - the decision then falls to Morey and Adelman.

It's an interesting point by Feigen. Yeah, the rehab has gone far better than expected, but that was rehab. This is actual mano-y-mano basketball, and while you'd love to see McGrady out there with his teammates, it might be a good idea to let McGrady work by his lonesome a bit more since none of this means much yet. When actual games roll around, then it will be a more pressing decision. It might be better to keep Tracy out of practice in order to ensure that he still has the option to play come regular season time.

Update! McGrady will NOT be cleared for training camp. Story is here.

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but

This was sort of the issue last year. Why not throw him in the mix for practice if he’s healthy to truly test that claim

Wafer . . . again. (Marv Albert, HOU v. CLE Feb 2009)
-one of the FEW at Toyota Center who has the Wafer jersey

by olivarezq1 on Sep 28, 2009 10:41 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

exactly

This is EXACTLY why T-Mac sucked last year – we rushed him back. For once can’t we just stick to the original plan of “taking it slow”?!?!?

by grungedave on Sep 28, 2009 12:08 PM CDT up reply actions

didn't recognize your post...

..not enough seething T-Mac hate to know it was you. it must make you nervous that t-mac seems to be progressing. have a nice day! :waves:

by vvps on Oct 5, 2009 5:37 AM CDT up reply actions

keep himout for at least the first month of regular season just as a precautionary measure

by wayno on Sep 28, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions

hey ya'll

t-mac wont be back until late november… better to have a completely healthy t-mac then being in and out we dont wanna rush him… http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/6641056.html

by rocket2789 on Sep 28, 2009 12:54 PM CDT reply actions

haste makes waste

dont rush it. Better we have a great christmas present and have T-MAC of OLD rather than be sorry forever.

by CONAIR on Sep 28, 2009 1:11 PM CDT reply actions

agreed.

no reason to rush himself back. i’d much rather him and Yao 100% for next year. the whole point in making all those moves in the free agency was to cushion the blow of losing them both, so stay the course maaaaaaan!

You are banned from Music City Miracles.
You are banned from Blogging The Boys.

by chrisd21 on Sep 28, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

update

media day interviews morey ,ariza, and adelman so far…. http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/originals/

by rocket2789 on Sep 28, 2009 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

So, what is the opposite of malingering?

Look, McGrady had his WHOLE LEG amputated in the off season. Do you realize how long it takes to REGROW a leg? On a man that tall? Do you? Do you?

It’s going to take as long as it takes. As it is right now, the new leg is still 4 inches too short. Tracy is a great enough athlete to play ball with one leg 4 inches shorter, but waiting a few months for the leg to reach optimal size is really the best way.

If the Red Nation apparatchiks start talking about a Five Year Plan, I'm out of here.

by Xiane on Sep 28, 2009 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

How long does it take to regrow a leg?!

Calm yo’ selves! Let him do whatever he needs to do and for the sake of all that is good and round in humanity (including nice round breasts — oh and basketball) PLEASE PLAY T-MAC OFF THE BENCH! We don’t need him to start, we don’t need him to run a game – we just need him to score like crazy when he can, without pushing himself to the breaking point.

by MeLioRate on Sep 29, 2009 1:07 AM CDT reply actions

T-Mac

I’ll be quite honest, I think T-Mac was done 4 years ago, and should have been traded at the time, now hes untradable, and even tho the doctors and media claims he will be back in top shape again, I don’t think anyone can ever play near their prime again after so many surgeries and injuries. I really wished the team could move on from T-Mac and really rebuild around Yao, Shane, and Luis. I don’t see a future for us with T-Mac, he used to be comparable to Kobe 7 years ago, but now its a joke.

by AK1111 on Oct 20, 2009 4:49 PM CDT reply actions