Big T-Mac attack
When news hit the NBA that Yao Ming would be out for the rest of the season, a few things immediately happened.
First, all the upper powers in NBA and the corporate sponsors were devastated because they just lost one of the most marketed players in the world.
Second, all the teams around the league (especially Western Conference teams) looked at their schedule to see when they play the Rockets.
Lastly, the Rockets looked at their roster and saw the center position being held down now by 79-year-old Dikembe Mutombo. I’m just guessing the age but I’m close.
Now all that leads me to Tracy McGrady and how all this affects him.
T-Mac has shown in the past that he can take a not very talented team to the playoffs and lose in the first round. He’s 0-6 there. But this is a tougher and more daunting task. He plays in the toughest conference. His team has won 13 games in a row and still sits at the seventh seed.
But I’m going to go the opposite direction everybody else has taken when talking about the Rockets. I say they do make the playoffs and this will be the most career-defining season for McGrady.
There will be a team in the Western Conference that gets 50-plus abd won’t make the playoffs, regardless of the Yao injury. The typical thing would be just saying the Rockets will be that team because there is no possible way they can keep winning consistently without Yao. And people would say the Rockets can use that same excuse if they falter. But I see T-Mac taking this opportunity to silence all the critics and show them that he’s more than just a big stat stuffer with no superstar substance.
Think about it. He’s got some role players that quite frankly understand their role. A coach that has the handcuffs off the offense. He’s matured as a player and stats are not more important than getting this team (without Yao) into playoffs and past the first round. Granted, his health is a big factor also.
All-Stars are made in regular seasons. Superstars and legacies are made in the playoffs. Legends wins championships.
If he does the first two out of the three above then when you have a T-Mac attack, make sure you super-size it because what he did would be a super-size task.
Felix Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
I’m with you Dee. I think the Rockets can and will still be a VERY dangerous team. People forget that Scola was a GO TO guy in Argentina. He has adapted well to the NBA and come playoff time he will be a beast. Carl Landry has shown to be a very effective scorer too. I think the Rockets will be the NY Giants this year.
moudy Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 9:31 pm
Chris Bosh sucks
SpursFan111 Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 9:46 pm
I have a hard time believing that McGrady can turn 8-9 years of underacheiving around in one fell swoop ESPECIALLY considering the current landscape in the Western Conference. You are asking him to single handly take a team of castaways, journeymen and Mutombo (who should be collecting pension) into the WESTERN CONFERENCE playoffs!!!
I’m not a Rockets fan, but if I were, I’d say just miss the playoffs since they stand nothing to gain. If they plummet, at least they can hope in the lottery rather than get embarrased at the hands of one of the superpowers who will be licking their chops to face Houston without Yao.
Dan Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 10:15 pm
I think the rockets can get into the 2nd round, they just have to stay inspired (ex. shane battier before the wizards game) he set an inspiring speech, rockets need to have leaders who will step up, and Dee brown is right, about 60% all depends on T-mac, stats dont matter to him anymore, he just wants to win, but hes going to have to fill the role more of a leader in order for that to happen, t-mac doesnt have to be a vocal leader, but one of those leaders who would give little talk to players and lead by example.
Lupe Said,
February 27, 2008 @ 11:13 pm
I’m confident in Tracy’s abilities, but what has me worried is that with a heavier load will that lead to more injury. He’s a hell of a player, a playmaker, scorer, and he can defend(trust me, he hasn’t done it in as well as he could in a while, but in Toronto he was a good defender).
This is the deepest Rockets team since T-Mac’s arrival, and ultimately should health prevail, and he chooses to take it upon himself to play as hard as he possibly can, I see him making the playoffs though not going past the first round due to the fact they are rather weak now in their big’s department now. Hopefully, as a T-Mac fan, he proves me wrong on the second prediction though.
daku Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 12:26 am
T-MAC still got plenty of skill, he is unselfish but more importantly a good passer. The Rocket’s faith does not entirely depend on “T-Mac”. Rafer Alston, Luis Scola and Luther Head are also keys to success. Obviously with no Yao, T-Mac will take more shots, but he has to be aggressive down the stretch of games, driving relentlessly to the basket (a.k.a. Dwayne Wade style) T-MAC got a great opportunity to prove his critics wrong, but oh wait, the biggest question is can he stay healthy?
ds Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 12:44 am
didn’t t-mac last season said the playoff games he lost weren’t the most important to him? and the public reacts, then what is?
Sonny Vo Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 1:39 am
I don’t how to say this but I am happy that Yao Ming is out for the season. Don’t get me wrong I am a die hard rockets fan. I was very upset and down when Yao went out but I looked earlier on the season when TMac went out and his teamates learn not to depend on him so much. Vice Versa now that Yao the big man is out this gives the whole rocket team again to step it up another notch without him. Especially the big men on the Rockets. Hopefully the entire team can finally get this new system all figured out by the end of the season and go in the next season ready to rock and roll. By the time the next season comes by and with Yao Ming back they can incorporate what they learn without him with Yao in the line up again finally and seriously make a strong push for the title!!!!
Rashidi Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 2:14 am
The way I see it, the Rockets went on their winning streak as soon as they stopped using Chuck Hayes. They are using Scola a little more, but the big change has been Landry getting Hayes minutes.
If this means more minutes for Hayes it won’t be a good thing. He is basically Mutombo without the shotblocking.
Mutombo can still play so they aren’t going to lose much as long as Scola becomes the post player he was Internationally.
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February 28, 2008 @ 3:34 am
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Shaun Norden Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 9:09 am
They won’t even make the playoffs. All open shots revolve around Yao. They are totally screwed. Deke is solid but does nothing on offence. Yao got consistently double creating open shot for all. T-Mac would have to go way beyond anything he’s ever done to get them to the playoffs.
Shaun Norden Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 9:09 am
They won’t even make the playoffs. All open shots revolve around Yao. They are totally screwed. Deke is solid but does nothing on offence. Yao got consistently doubled creating open shots for all. T-Mac would have to go way beyond anything he’s ever done to get them to the playoffs.
Shaun Norden Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 9:09 am
They won’t even make the playoffs. All open shots revolve around Yao. They are totally screwed. Deke is solid but does nothing on offence. Yao got consistently doubled creating open shots for all. T-Mac would have to go way beyond anything he’s ever done to get them to the playoffs. It won’t happen.
Lupe Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 9:35 am
I have to agree with that. I have seen some nights, especially earlier in the season where Hayes was getting around 20-30 minutes a night in November, and he failed to live up to those minutes. Sure, he’d get double digit rebounds every other game, but he failed to produce on the offensive end. I don’t think I ever recall him hitting double digits once this year.(who knows this writing may jinx that streak). In regards to Scola, I have no doubt he can step up. The only knock is his average defense(I wish he had Ginobili’s or Nocioni’s aggressiveness in that regards), but other than that he is a solid player.
space_ Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 10:00 am
scola hasn’t had the opportunity to produce the way he could for his south am team. i’ve been betting that he has more to show now he isn’t a 4th/5th option on offense.
i am not feeling success in houston. many have forgot that Tmac is playing hurt and decided to push through the season a month ago. landry seems to be nearly the same type player as hayes, and they already regret swapping the rudy gay pick for shane battier. battier has given loads in the defense, chemistry & toughness department, but you can’t count on him to score 15-20 a night like gay seems to be doing. they may squeak into the playoffs, but whimper on their way out.
yuri Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 11:07 am
eddie,
i loved this article! i been a tmac fan ever since he first stepped out on the court with vc in toronto. i remember when he was averaging 34 or 35 a game in orlando, tmac and kobe used to be considered on the same level… ive never stopped believing in him and believe this is his time now… yes, he hasnt gotten past the first round and thats partly his fault because he’s the best player on the team and he should have been the leader… BUT i think the media overhyped how much of it is his fault just to make a good story out of it.. winning in the playoffs cannot be a one man thing… no matter HOW GOOD the player is… a playoff game has to be a whole team effort. period. kobe is deemed by many, the best player ever, even better than jordan. if kobe couldnt do it alone, why so much pressure and criticism all centered on tmac…? to me, it seems like the media will jump on any story that gets attention, not caring what it does to the person it’s about… hopefully, all the negative attention and doubters will help to fuel tmac and he will make a big splash… at which point, the public will love and adore him again… (i hate how the media does that)
Jim Houghton Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 11:13 am
Playoffs are about stars. A team with 2 stars makes the playoffs. A team with 3 is a potential champion.
Granted Houston has some decent role players, but they are down to 1 star. 50-50 they make the playoffs; 10% chance of making it to the second round.
Stacey Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 1:24 pm
It’s ever good to be a one man gang in an ass-kicking contest where the other teams have several one man gangs operating together. Trey will have just enough 40 point nights to salvage his reputation, but the Rock won’t beat anyone anywhere in the playoffs.
Imagine if the Rockettes falli nto the Lottery, luck into the #1 overall, and put a stud out there with McGrady and a well-rested Yao? We’d have to start having a North/South conference realignment.
The best thing McGrady can do for the franchise is to break a thumb…. a season-ending injury that won’t affect his hops. The team slides into the lottery, and they get their fashionable West Coast Third Superstar that way.
xavier Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
I have to agree with that. I think T-Mac will step his game up to carry the Rockets into the playoffs. Also, since Mutombo is a better defensive player than Yao, if he continues to block shots and kick the outlet pass, which he did against Washington, this will enable the Rockets to run more. Which brings me to my last point. If they can find a way to put Gerald Green into the rotation between now and the end of the season, this will give them more bench strength and allow T-Mac to rest more!!
FLOYD P Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 2:46 pm
from what i’ve seen with this team, the critics has allways wrote houston off, even with yao. as for tracy, he has the ability to take over and he know he has to lead his team for a number of reasons. i just wish he can find away to shut charles and kenny up. i am so sick of there harsh criticism. i don’t care if we win 20 games in a row, in the media eyes and skeptics we are still not worthy of going to the playoffs. these group of guys we have are poised and ready to prove everyone wrong. i am ready to go to war. i say bring it on. t-mac is and should be ready to take on this challenge. Don’t worry houston, this one is for you. see you in the playoffs floyd p.
Jax Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
i am a Rocket fan. what can i say? everything imaginable that can go wrong with the Rockets.. does happen! i truly believe that this team can beat the Western favorites to win the championship this year - Lakers, Mavs, Spurs and the Suns. That is - if both Yao and T-Mac are healthy… this really is a huge blow to the Rockets… i just hope they make it past the first round this year, then come next year… i hope that Yao and T-Mac prove me right!
Bryan Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
The Rockets will suffer quite a loss. Yao demands double and triple teams on the offense end, which leads to open players on the perimeter. Now without Yao, the Rockets will get more Man defense instead of the zones they normally get on a average night. The Rockets also lost their best free throw shooter in Yao.
But, the Rockets as a team are better than years before, and can get through the west with team basketball. Its not going to take just a strong effort from Mcgrady, but also a huge showing from rookies Luis Scola and Carl Landry. So far, they have looked unstoppable against the NBA’s best. Rafer Alston should be a automatic canidate for most improved NBA player. He took so much lashings from Houston fans in previous years, but he worked out all the kinks, and is often the Rockets player of the game even with a healthy Yao. His performace this year has flew under the radar, and fans need to pay attention to him. Shane Battier is the ultimate teammate. He provides good shooting and flawless defense. The addition of Bobby Jackson makes the Rockets better guided when Skip is off the court. He is proven, and could be a locker room leader. Luther Head although mis-matched on defense is by far the Rockets most clutch shooter.
All in all, I’d watch for the Rockets to suprise the NBA fan base, and actually figure out a way to get it done. Public perception never won a NBA Championship, so don’t count these guys out. They are proven winners, with or without Yao. I can see them being like Golden State last year, and really pulling off a huge upset. Rick Adelman would like nothing more than to be a play-off crasher! Watch out Western Conference, now you got a great team more driven to win than ever before.
Naama Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 5:33 pm
T-Mac = glorified DerMarr Johnson. Forget the playoffs.
MJ Said,
February 28, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
Hmm… I’m looking forward to this.
I personally want to see the emergence of Tracy McGrady - the winner.
If McGrady pulls it off, he will definitely silence all critics.
DC Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 1:20 am
I definately think the team has enough talent, depth to be a great team.
The only problem is that depth is spread over the PG/SG/SF/PF position and how they will fill the center position I don’t know.
Would have been nice if they could have pulled in P.J. Brown offering him the starting C position, but with no FA available that can help (besides POSSIBLY Chris Anderson who looks to go to NOH) and the fact they are at 15 man roster limit (but could waive Bobby Jones and get under).
A player would have to join team by SAT to make playoff roster…so small chance someone could be bought out and join team…small..
Team could play with a small lineup BUT for them to be successful Luis Scola HAS TO be able to play 35 MPG and play solid…This will help a lot…in a small fast break lineup with Scola playing 35MPG and playing 20MPG at Center they could be all right….Have Mutombo play 25MPG, and have Carl Landry available at center..
At PF then you have a chalenge…first move Chuck Hayes to PF, he is teams best rebounder…can fill in minutes there…Battier can play spot minutes.
As far as signing Brent Barry like they want, heck, do it…..signing Barry will add a deadly 3PT and outside shooter who is a great passer can really play PG/SF/SF…..than with Barry playing swingman can move Battier into playing solid minutes at PF and Moving Scola to C.
Remember after winning 11 games straight they traded Wells who did nothing and was a headache, and James who was in same boat for Bobby Jackson who is very effective and has played Adelmans system…so at guard they improved…with Brent Barry they will improve in perimeter……
Play Chuck hayes a lot at PF he gets good rebounds that is what they need really.
I think they could still make the playoffs with the 8th seed….problem is they will play Lakers or Spurs in first round….Lakers will be tough as they have no answer for Duncan and Kurt Thomas…..Lakers no answer for Gasol and Bynum…and both are great great teams…see no way they can get past first round.
Omar Aberilla Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 3:59 am
The Rockets would do well even with Yao down for the rest of the season. Not too many people give T-Mac credit, which is not surprising considering his early playoff exits. But, he’s a phenomenal player and eventually he’ll get over that hump in his career. There’s just not too many guys who could operate in multiple ways and in seemingly effortless fashion. It’s just unfortunate that he’s had to go through a series of back injury problems. Because, he could have achieved so much more without it. Not making an excuse for T-Mac, but it’s only fair to assess an athlete’s legacy when his health has not failed him. Think Brad Daugherty, Bill Walton minus the foot and knee problems…you get the picture. I’m counting on T-Mac’s success this year. Yao said it best, “This is T-Mac’s time.”
ANTRILES Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 9:31 am
Once again T-Mac is overrated just like Vince Carter. Both of them are done and tell me there not. If T-Mac doesnt get out the first round and he won’t he should just give it up. Sorry, he’s done.
Flash Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 9:53 am
I think is the right moment to take a free-agent center who help Dikembe Mutombo on the floor, because Hayes, Landry and Scola aren’t centers…The Rockets need a player with experience now, like Theo Ratliff, Dale Davis or Jelani McCoy!
FLOYD P Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 11:56 am
hello houston rockets fans. i need your help. i wish there was some way i can talk to charles and kenny, and let them know how i feel about there harsh comments. i know analyst are suppose to analize and critique teams and players. but i did not know we as loyal fans, we are suppose to accept the bashing from these two guys. kenny should be ashame of himself. he won two rings with team and he shows no graditude at all. his off the court contribution is ok, and i know he will throw it our face. but do you think the bashing of players you and charles do help a player confidence. i would just like to tell the both of them, i had a lot of admiration for the two and now they are a disgrace. if this message can be sent, please send it.
floyd p.
hoopsfan Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Dee, respect your opinion but you couldn’t be any more wrong. Mcgrady will not be able to take this team to the playoffs simply cuz of the competition. It’s really not his fault. If they had Yao they could go really deep. But you gave to assume that Denver and Golden State are better than Houston without Yao. Im pretty positive they will miss the playoffs and I guarentee they would lose in the first round if they did make it.
chad Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
Rockets should make the playoffs, but will be swept in the first round by the lakers or spurs
Zac Said,
February 29, 2008 @ 10:11 pm
T-Crack is too injury prone…
words of wisdom Said,
March 1, 2008 @ 4:26 am
I’m sorry but the Rockets ARE DONE. They never stood a chance to begin with.
4 years ago: The Rockets saw the dissolution of the best guard-center combo since Magic & Kareem. Shaq & Kobe went their seperate ways, and Houston decided to pair up their center with T-mac to create the ‘new Shaq & Kobe”. One problem…actually 2 problems…
#1 T-mac is NOT Kobe, Yao is NOT Shaq.
#2 Health. How are you going to be a 1-2 punch when there’s only punch around?
Fastforward to March, 2008 and it’s clear as water that the Rockets need to start over. BLOW THIS TEAM UP.
REASONS WHY T-MAC WON’T MAKE IT PAST THE 1ST ROUND:
#1 His back has made him a jumpshooter, and occassional slasher. Should be the other way around like it was in Orlando.
#2 He got chubbier
#3 His confidence: He second guesses himself too much to really match up with a total killer like Kobe, Chris Paul or Kidd.
#4 The Rockets don’t have anyone over 6′8 except a 38 year old (whom I LOVE & RESPECT) fingerwagging African Tree.
#5 Rick Adelman
$6 Did I mention T-mac’s brittle back? Oh I did?
David Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 7:46 am
I remember in 2005 when TMac scored 13 points in 35 seconds to beat my Spurs. Yet the Spurs went on to win the championship.
Playoffs are different basketball.
Antonio Said,
March 2, 2008 @ 1:30 pm
T-Mac is a huge loser
wealthyone Said,
March 3, 2008 @ 11:13 am
After watching the rocket yesterday, I am come to realize that the rocket need help. I thought they were going to the seond round easy, even without Yao. I saw that after they took out Motumbo they had no one on the bench over 6′9. In the west that is not good. We depend on defense here in Houston. I would at the very least sign and aging Theo Ratliff (do the same thing as Motumbo) or even on a pinch go grab Michael Olowokandi or Dale Davis.
alex Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 5:38 am
rockets are rolling! I think they will make the playoffs..but of course it will be difficult to survive all the great big man in the west without yao. but big respect to the houston-team and t-mac!
ktaek Said,
March 4, 2008 @ 2:43 pm
There are many superstar guards out there, but to win in the playoffs you need star frontcourt players to dominate the paint, protect & attack the basket.
Kobe is one of the most amazing guards in the game and we all saw how help LA was without a big man. Even Odom at 6′10″ didn’t help because Odom doesn’t play the paint, he’s a tall perimeter player. Gasol isn’t a HOF guy, but even being only “pretty good” he transformed LA into the best team in this season’s NBA.
Guards are more popular and more fun to watch, but playoff basketball is decided on the inside.
Houston won’t go far w/o Yao, and it’s not T-Mac’s fault, anymore than it’s Kobe’s fault for LA floundering all those years w/o a true big.
Omar Aberilla Said,
March 6, 2008 @ 1:03 am
That’s just what you guys think. There are a lot of “loser’s mentality” posts around here. Just cause of his history of back problems? Yao’s injury? I’m glad T-Mac thinks differently. That’s why he’s one of the NBA’s primetime players. Of course T-Mac will never be Kobe or whoever, which is a good thing. We need some variety in this league you know. He’s been playing spectacular of late. I feel sorry for the naysayers. What can you say, the guy wants to win. It was just unfortunate he had to endure early playoff eliminations in the past. But you’ll never know, we still have a lot of basketball left in the season before the playoffs. And with an invigorated cast along side him and the key resurgence of yes, the so-called African Tree…impossible is nothing.