Tracy McGrady Slated To Return Tonight as Rockets Host Pistons

The long wait for Tracy McGrady’s return appears to finally be over.

Houston Rockets head coach Rick Adelman told the media about an hour before tonight’s tipoff against the Detroit Pistons that T-Mac would be playing this evening and would likely play about 11 minutes, all in the first half.

Regardless of the Rockets tough 10-game stretch to close out 2009, including four pairs of back-to-backs, T-Mac’s return should help bring the holiday spirit to Houston.

After blasting the media earlier this week for the Rockets ridiculous upcoming slate, Adelman has to be happy about this latest announcement.

McGrady hasn’t hit the hardwood in months, and fans have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for his return.

For the first time in many, many months, the NBA will get an early Christmas gift this year, courtesy of a team the league constantly overlooks, the Houston Rockets.

Welcome back, T-Mac.

I personally hope you can help make this Rockets team better than they already are; Houston’s got a great leader in Shane Battier and great role players in guys like Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza (not to mention a handful of others that have stepped in and stepped up numerous times this season).

It’s time for you to step in and be that big-time leader this team needs you to be, McGrady: you have my support all the way; the Rockets have been awaiting your return, and I’ll be one the first to applaud when you hit the court tonight against the Pistons.

Only time will tell if McGrady can help propel the Rockets to that championship-caliber level, but tonight Houston fans will get their first taste of T-Mac in quite some time.

I can’t wait for the game to begin!

Denton Ramsey may be reached via email at [e-mail]