Tracy McGrady Seeks Trade
On the heels of Allen Iverson‘s return to the Sixers and on the verge of a comeback from the injuries which have plagued him for the past few seasons, high flier Tracy McGrady is looking beyond H-Town and into the future.
Due to microfracture knee surgery, T-Mac only played in 35 games last season and was unable to lead the Rockets during their eventful, yet ultimately unsuccessful, playoff run. Having played in only six games in his return to the hardwood, McGrady wanted more minutes.
He’s used to being an explosive player, using his strength, skill, speed, and leaping ability as offensive weapons. Of course, after sitting out the vast majority of last season (and the season before it), he’s quite rusty.
The coaching staff for the Houston Rockets felt that he could work himself back to top form, but believed it would take more time for him to really get the type of rotation he has been lobbying for. Why, you ask? It’s simple: because that’s what the doctor ordered.
Instead of choosing to take the doctor’s advice and gradually rehabilitate himself, McGrady has chosen to whine and argue. It seems he has his short-term interests at heart, but has forgotten about the long-term. Most notably, T-Mac seems to be disregarding the fact that he could face further (and possibly more serious) injury by rushing things.
His attitude and demands have put him at odds with the entire Rockets organization, and now they seek to make a logical trade.
There’s just one thing…
T-Mac was getting paid $23 mil a year to play for Houston. He had signed the contract before the injuries occurred and caused him to miss games, of course. The Rockets will want to find someone (or a few people) of equal value to their team.
Also, any team that signs McGrady also signs his injury. They then have a decision to make: Do they allow him big-time minutes right now or wait for more confidence and clearance from the doctors? If they choose the latter, Number One would end up no better off than he would have been in Houston all along.
His best bet will likely be to head to a struggling team with some serious funds who could use him right away. One thing’s for sure, he won’t be a Rocket for much longer.
Coach Rick Adelman had this to say about his embattled player:
“He’s been hurt for over a year. The thing that people want to write about is who he was two years ago, and he isn’t that right now.”
He went on to say, “Unfortunately, you’ve got to deal with the whole group, not just one individual. He’s coming back from major surgery, he’s rehabilitating and who knows when he’s going to get there. Right now, he wasn’t there.”
Sounds like the coach is right to me. After all, it is a team sport and one player cannot dictate the coach’s decisions as to what’s best for the team.
For $23 mil, I’d certainly keep my mouth shut and come back when I was cleared to make a significant contribution to the team.
Here’s a short ESPN clip of the McGrady situation:
What do you think? Is T-Mac being a baby or does he have a point? Do you think he’s on the verge of a 2010 comeback? Let me know in the comments section!
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i don’t agree with what the coach and GM are doing with T-Mac. they never gave him enough minutes to play and to show them that he can and is ready to come back. How can T-Mac show them he is ready if he only plays 7-8 min. per game. I really do think that the coach and GM are just giving up too early on T-Mac and just don’t want to keep him anymore. I don’t really like how they are treating him and I do hope if and when he is traded he will show that he still can play. good luck to T-Mac and hope the coaching staff and of course the GM will think about what they are doing and what a big mistake they are making by not playing T-Mac. it would be sad to see him go but the way he is being treated I don’t blame him for wanting a trade. good luck T-Mac!
Agreed! tmac was nver givin much of a chance this season. N he didnt lobby for more clock in the interview he said “i suspect my minutes will increase in the next few games” he nswered that bcause that was the question from one of the reporters. HE then went to the next game and the coaches told him he wouldnt play those two back to bck games. Why? because they dont know if he can play fast pace basketball. How can someone get in game shape without playing in a game? hmm…the rockets were just looking for a reason to get rid of tmac. I wonder what thre gonna do to Yao when he gets back next year? after hving 3 consecutive seasons end on foot injuries? HEs more injury prone then tmac. hell atleast tmac played thru his. N i guess it was okay for th team to paint him bad in the media becus hes of no use for them But in 07-08 when he was carrying this team to the playoffs and had 22 game win streak he was okay? expecially since it was ok for them to pump him up with cortizone shots before every game? I think both sides are at fault in the situation cus tmac didnt tell the team he was out altho (keith jones HOU rox trainer) said he did w.e tho but thats tmacs fault he should of told morey or les. But the organization isnt backing there star player. it goes both ways they used him and now hes not the same player so f*** him now is how it looks.
I appreciate your comments and while you both have made some valid points, I have to respectfully disagree here.
If you read the full article on ESPN, they say that his doctor had him slated to sit out another month. That’s why he only got minimal playing time. He really wasn’t supposed to be playing at all. On top of that, he’s asking for more PT? He really should be looking out for his career and his overall well-being.
Also, he can get in shape by practicing and working out so that he can prove himself when he does get in. But you have to know that the minutes will increase with the strength, fitness, and as the rust is shaken off.
I think T-Mac is making the wrong move here, and it is likely that he will only get minimal minutes for the first few weeks no matter where he goes.
Well all summer the trainers at ATTACK where he worked out at said he was ready for training camp? MAybe his time inbetween getting traded he will be back and full strength because he moved back to chicago.
Also getting in shape can only go so far in practice. Game shape is quite different idc how many line drills, stadium stairs you run. Game speed and game shape is totally different. N 7:40 minutes of game time is not enough to prove any thing. Its hard t come off the bench and get into the rhythym of the game. Expecially when you got TAriza shooting 1-10 and 5-16 some games. The rockets just wanted to get Tmac out the way they had no plans of playing him after last year and the success they had w/o him in the playoffs + the fast start this year? Adelman was suprised Tmac cameback so fast frm that surgery. He also did TIm Hardaway the same in GS, told him he would “bring him bck slowly” then replaced him with BJ Armstrong…finally got him traded to MIA where he became 3 time all nba 1st and 2nd team the following 3 yrs!
$23 mil…he should stfu and do what his coaches ask him to do.
Whining does not make him more appealing to his next potential employer. Plus, why not give it a little time…say a month and then see if he is getting short changed with playing time or being eased into the rotation.
All Star crying if you ask me.
Sorry T-mac.. i dunno if he still got it like that
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