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**Coatesvillain** · 07-24-2004, 05:31 PM

If anyone can remember the last positive word Rosen, has had to say about anything, feel free to let me know.

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The trade that brought Tracy McGrady to Houston for Steve Francis and company is not quite the second coming of the Rockets' championship hopes.

For sure, T-Mac can fill the basket from every conceivable angle — he can shoot from the outskirts, pull-up left or right, post, penetrate, and is routinely spectacular in the shadow of the basket. Nor is he unwilling or unable to share the ball. Too bad that his stupendous ball-in-hand talents aren't enough to make T-Mac a winner.

Discounting his self-congratulating post-dunk antics, and his public pouting over the Magic's chronic losing, the young man's most serious problems begin with his lackadaisical work ethic.

T-Mac's point-making talents are so outstanding that even when he's operating on cruise-control he can always make a scoreboard blink and flash. (And he's really a wonderful down-home kind of kid.) But his lazy, disinterested malfunctions on the defensive end are critical deficiencies.

McGrady's game plan on defense includes recklessly trying to intercept any pass made in his general vicinity, sniffing out the ball instead of attending to his proscribed rotations, and generally taking every available short cut. The result is poor team defense, as well as unnecessary fouls whistled on his teammates as they scramble to cover for T-Mac's indolent gambles.

Fortunately, young players can learn to play all-out all of the time. This is simply another necessary technique, just like good footwork or making a timely outlet pass. But time is running out on T-Mac.

If Jeff Van Gundy can't get McGrady to amp up his competitive energies from the get-go, then T-Mac will never mature into a winner. Indeed, it may already be too late, because nothing gets unfixable as quickly as bad habits.

At first glance, though, McGrady's offensive prowess seems a good fit with Yao Ming. Since Yao is routinely allowed to set moving picks, their pick-and-roll combinations could easily eclipse the legendary effectiveness of Karl Malone and John Stockton.

Defenses will likewise have difficulty two-timing Yao in the low post with McGrady roaming the perimeter. Still, T-Mac's rampant juvenile delinquencies may even short-circuit these devastating possibilities.

While Van Gundy is understandably intent on making Yao the focus of Houston's offense, T-Mac has developed a bad case of sticky fingers. Blame Doc Rivers for spoiling (and maybe even ruining) the youngster by running every play through him during his tenure as Orlando's coach. That's why McGrady barely pays attention to the proceedings if he doesn't have (or is not destined to have) the ball in his hands.

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rocketsthathavespurs · 07-25-2004, 06:11 AM

O my gosh please. T-Mac is dedicated to winning so thats why he went on the Rockets. You try lossing 62 games a season and see if your looking forward to the next season. They arent dedicated to winning in orlando like they are here. T-mac is siked for this season and the only people who say he isnt going to help or make it work are the people who are sad he left orlando or scared that the Rockets are going to be them. So what you say is pure ludicrise. (ps. sry for all the miss spelled words)

**texan** · 07-25-2004, 04:17 PM

I predict a big change in attitude for Tmac this year. He has never been a leader but he won't whine if the team is winning. The only time he has whined to the media is when he was on a horrible losing team and when he wouldn't get PT. Obviously those are two legit reasons to be angry. Tmac seems very excited to be a Rocket and help this team win.

Yyzlin · 07-25-2004, 04:52 PM

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Nor is he unwilling or unable to share the ball.

Quote:

While Van Gundy is understandably intent on making Yao the focus of Houston's offense, T-Mac has developed a bad case of sticky fingers.

I love the contradiction.

**Damian Necronamous** · 07-25-2004, 05:05 PM

Haha, this guy hates Kobe, he hates T-Mac...he hates everybody!

Ballscientist · 07-26-2004, 05:13 PM

It looks like it, you've got to be kidding me.

AFunk4Life · 07-26-2004, 08:25 PM

I just hope Mc Ball Hog learns the meaning of the work PASS this year. YAO MING is the #1 guy on the team, not you Tracy, and let's hope JVG can get that point across early and often. If not, its going to be a LONG LONG season in H-Town. But I hope that is not the case.

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