After Tracy McGrady’s Houston Rockets lost its second home playoff game in a row to the Utah Jazz, T-Mac had some disappointing but confirming comments:
"In the fourth quarter, I didn't have anything," said McGrady. "I had no legs, I was on empty. I was just trying to push myself through it, and I had a fresh [Andrei] Kirilenko on me, a 6-10, long guy, and I just didn't have it."
In a way, I feel for Tracy McGrady. He is such a talented basketball player, and he just can’t seem to get luck to go his way.
But imagine Jordan making those comments. Or Bird. Or Magic Johnson. Ever hear Allen Iverson use that kind of passive, shrug-your-shoulders talk? LeBron James? Any quality player in the league?
For that matter, imagine the mediocre five-eleven point guard for your local high school saying that.
“I just didn’t have it.”
This is an All-NBA first team member, a perennial All-Star, a “franchise player,” and he’s complaining about a “long” guy playing good defense on him?
Yes, Kirilenko is an excellent defender, but to steal Jim Mora’s thunder, this is the “Playoffs!”
McGrady clearly still doesn’t get it—even after all his experience in the league.
You can settle for jumpshots and take off possessions in the regular season. If you get tired, you can rest on one end of the court.
In the playoffs, though, it’s win or go home.
McGrady still can’t play on both ends of the floor without giving up production on one end. Against the Jazz in game two, he worked so hard on defense (and with much success, to his credit) that he could barely muster his line-drive jumpshot on the offensive end.
Yes, his team is missing its All-Star center, and as short-handed as the Rockets are, a first-round win over a quality Jazz team was about as unlikely a scenario you could imagine. I am not blaming Tracy McGrady for the Rockets’ inability to win this series.
But for all the talk he ran during the 22-game win streak, he simply can’t back down now with this kind of waving-the-white-flag nonsense.
Unfortunately, his coach is in on the gig, too, saying, "Those guys in the locker room played their butts off. I can't ask for more effort than they gave, and we came up short."
Houston fans must be jumping for joy with that ringing endorsement heading to Utah down 0-2.
Is anyone going to be surprised when the Rockets get swept...without a fight?
“I just didn’t have it.”
Those words are echoing in Houston and across the country.
Sadly, it seems T-Mac will never have it.
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2 months ago
Tim,
Excellent analysis. While McGrady is a very good player, I think this proves why you can't consider him a "superstar."
I didn't see LeBron making excuses about being tired when the Cavaliers were in double-overtime against the Pistons in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals last year. Can you imagine?
2 months ago
Thanks for the comment, Jeffrey. Blog looks good, by the way.
2 months ago
Well.... Granted, I see an ultra-competitor (like Jordan) avoiding making comments like that. Tracy's mindset maybe that of a realist -- given the situation. With Yao gone and Rafer streaky and injured... its just the Jazz smothering McGrady all game long. Meanwhile, you got AK, Boozer, Mehmut, Deron, and stick Korver out there in orbit for good measure. It would be different if the Jazz only had say Boozer and Williams... I would be telling McGrady to go home and don't come back until he wants to win bad... But, I mean just look at the last two games -- Houston is getting manhandled. Thats gonna wear down your stars (or in the Rockets case -- star) mentally and physically.
On the other hand... lets see whats up with Game 3 -- because I'm hoping McGrady made that comment to plant a thought in Utah's head to just drop their guard just a litte.... I find it a little to quick on even McGrady's part to concede he was "tired" -- it might just be a mental ploy.
2 months ago
Great stuff Tim.
Can you imagine how "inspiring" T-Mac's attitude must be on the sidelines during a timeout in the fourth quarter?
The guy is a talented player, but not a team leader. Projected that role on him would be like, well, calling Lemar Odom the Lakers team leader...wouldn't it?
2 months ago
I'm sort of eating my words today, however, as the Rockets pulled off a big one last night, and T-Mac was very good.
His pre-game comments about everything being "his fault" were pretty lame, too, though.
Thanks for the feedback, Lew. And I agree, McGrady is no leader, even though he fancies himself one.
2 months ago
McGrady's really kind of an oddball to me. Here's a guy who's tall, strong, and has a nice touch (Umm.. that doesn't sound right). Why does he chose to spend too much time shooting jumpers? Injury concerns?
He's just one of those guys who's very, very talented, but isn't equipped with the "I'm gonna put you on my back and finish this game" type mentality.
And besides his friends are obviously losers.
http://deadspin.com/sports/nba/tracy-mcgrady-is-more-stylish-than-his-friends-217274.php
(But his wife... smokin' hot)
2 months ago
I watched him play passive defense night after night as a season ticket holder in Orlando. He rebounded only when it was a sure thing, seldom hustled after loose balls. If you think he let down against the Jazz, you have forgotten the disgrace of leading the Pistons 3-1 and losing three in a row. T-Mac just gave up and gave out. There are so many real super stars who just would not let that happen. I predict an injury in the close out game up coming. When he plays with heart he is as good as it gets both sides of the ball. It is so sad he just cannot seem to understand that.
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