Lakers News: Tracy McGrady Would Be More Useful Than Shannon Brown
The Los Angeles Lakers have kept themselves very busy in the offseason.
Despite winning the last two NBA titles, the Lakers actively sought out ways to improve their championship roster. Los Angeles upgraded their guard depth and bench depth, filling in holes and adding pieces that could make them even stronger for the 2010-2011 season.
However, the Lakers still remain at 11 players on their current roster with one last spot to fill. There have been continuous rumors that the Lakers will resign Shannon Brown to fill that spot, but there are 10 reasons why signing Tracy McGrady, long rumored to the Lakers, is the better choice.
McGrady Has Something to Prove
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Tracy McGrady, now 31, has spent 13 years in the league and not only has he not sniffed an NBA championship, he hasn't even made it out of the first round.
McGrady has been with three different teams that have all relied on him to take the team to the promised land. So far, he's 0-for-3.
Put that kind of motivation on the bench for a team that knows how to win and there is no room for complacency on the part of McGrady. Meanwhile, bringing back Shannon Brown to be the third guard off the bench while looking for a pay increase is a reason for complacency.
Luke Walton's Questionable Back
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The Lakers find themselves in a serious bind with Luke Walton.
Walton has three years remaining on his contract and has suffered numerous, recurring back injuries. His contract not only makes him an immovable object, but it also shortens the Lakers' depth at the small forward position.
McGrady is an instant insurance policy for Walton's back while Brown, a guard, would simply be out of position.
Grant Hill Like Return?
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Grant Hill spent much of his late-20s and early-30s riding the bench as he tried to return from foot and ankle injuries.
McGrady now finds himself in a position like Hill was in back 2004 and again in 2006. McGrady, like Hill then, will be forced to move to the bench with the hope of working his way back to greater playing time.
It was believed Hill's time was finished by the time he hit his mid-30s but has since rediscovered his game and become a necessary contributor to the Phoenix Suns.
McGrady is 31 and while it looks like he would be buried at the bottom of the totem pole of the Lakers bench, he has the right situation to prove himself in short bursts on a short contract and rediscover the latter part of his career.
McGrady & Kobe
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McGrady and Kobe Bryant are supposedly close friends if not at least very close associates. That's the kind of relationship that McGrady may need while he is inflicted with an ego-bruising move to the bench.
However, there is no greater motivator-at least on the floor-than watching Kobe Bryant torch the league from the bench.
Kobe is not the same player today he was 10 years ago. He has made necessary adjustments to his game that have kept him great though he is a step slower. That is the same kind of adjustment McGrady needs to make if he is to survive longer in this league.
Plus, giving Kobe another buddy on the bench could be a strong motivator for the Black Mamba himself—and when is that ever a bad thing for the Lakers?
Scoring Ability
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McGrady's game is entirely different than Shannon Brown. Brown is a perimeter ball handler who moves the ball and does his damage strictly from the outside.
That is far different than McGrady who can still be a legitimate inside-outside threat. McGrady has the range to score from the perimeter, but the strength and both to score and rebound in the paint.
The Lakers have showed initiative to make rebounding an important goal this offseason hence the signing of the strictly-rebounding Theo Ratliff.
McGrady not only gives the Lakers points off the bench, but he gives them an added physical presence.
Better Bench Depth
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McGrady would likely occupy the ninth spot or deeper on the Lakers bench, but how many teams around the league have a player of McGrady's possible production coming off the bench at the nine hole or deeper?
Brown gives the Lakers a good ball-handler limited minutes, but the ability to put a legitimate scoring threat and paint presence on the floor that deep of the bench is unrivaled on most rosters around the league.
The potential for good continuity of scoring and rebounding that deep of the bench is more valuable than a third guard who doesn't offer the same kind of offensive ability.
Phil Jackson: Expert Motivator
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"Zen Master" Phil Jackson is renowned for getting the most out of his players.
Tracy McGrady is simply ripe for that kind of attention and motivation. After a disappointing exit in Houston and a spell of purgatory in New York, Jackson has the ability to draw the potential that is still left in McGrady's 31-year-old legs.
We saw how Jackson was able to at least contain Ron Artest and turn him into a champion. McGrady is not a mental mess like Artest, but an open mind to coming off the bench and learning new ways to contribute to a contender will maximize McGrady.
Conversely, Shannon Brown is comfortable in the system, younger and looking for more playing time that simply isn't there given the Lakers guard depth. It is a difficult situation to draw more out of a player that is set in his role but wanting more.
That Guard Depth
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The Lakers resigned Derek Fisher. They added a quality veteran backup in Steve Blake. They retain Sasha Vujacic and of course they have Kobe Bryant.
Brown is on the market looking for a starting job or at least an increased role than the third-on-the-depth-chart position he would retain in Los Angeles. There are other teams out there ensuring more playing time, like the Knicks who are interested in Brown, while the Lakers offer the same job with a low ceiling.
McGrady would arrive in Los Angeles understanding his new role and the expectations given the Lakers front court roster.
Comes Down To Money
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Tracy McGrady is certainly not worth the $22.5 million he earned last season, not even close. But the question begs, what is he worth? The Bulls nearly set the bar for McGrady when they discussed offering him a non-guaranteed contract so they wouldn't take a hit if they released him at some point.
Now, after a decade of making eight figures, it comes down to whether or not McGrady is willing to sign for a very discounted price with a shot at winning.
Shannon Brown is looking for a bump from the $2 million he earned last year on a two-year contract before opting out. Brown's asking price may $4-5 million per season. McGrady isn't worth near that on the open market.
Turnover Is a Good Thing
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We see it all the time in other sports. Championship winning teams don't rest on the laurels and believe the same team will equate to a title the next season. Teams need to change, need to evolve and that means letting go of players who have helped you win a title.
Fresh faces and new attitudes still the collective desire to win. Too much of the same on the roster can turn out to be the wrong formula. Bringing in McGrady sends a message from the front office to the players that they are not willing to accept the same and neither should the team.
