<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post"> This is my stab at a psychological analysis of Mcgrady. I could be completely wrong though, since no one but him knows what he is going through and what he is feeling.</div> OK. I just don't understand why you'd bring up Jordan's situation with his father's death. You seem to be skipping over the fact that he retired for a season and a half when that happened.
if he's like this i wouldn't recommend him to play in the all star game... he might be the reason they would lose haha... i really hope he get's through this because personally when i have a problem when i play ball i forget all of them coz i really get into the game... anyway good luck to T-Mac it would really feel bad if one of the best players suddenly disappears.
Maybe he is coming out of the closet?...jk Part of it might have something to do w/ his eye(s). Just thought i'd throw that out their. And Barkley is either right or completly wrong when he comments on things. I think he doesn't know what he is talking about simply because no one but McGrady (and some others) know whats going on w/ McGrady. So who is he to judge? <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally i'd rather not speculate, just hope whatever it is has a positive resolution as soon as possible. What seems weird to me though is that he commented on it, but refused to mention any specifics. Given he obviously wants to keep it quiet (which is his perogative), there seems no point to even comment on it.</div> He obviously needed to explain his poor performance as of late. He is a Super-Star, and he has been off. After aferaging 35-40 ppg for 3 weeks, he COMPLETELY FELL OFF. T-Mac skipped his after-game shoot around session (practice) that he does every game after that horrible game he played against the Knicks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Jerry West:</div><div class="quote_post">Personally i'd rather not speculate, just hope whatever it is has a positive resolution as soon as possible. What seems weird to me though is that he commented on it, but refused to mention any specifics. Given he obviously wants to keep it quiet (which is his perogative), there seems no point to even comment on it.</div> The reason he commented is likely because it means his mind has not been anywhere close to 100% focused on bball, which explains his mediocre play as of late...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">OK. I just don't understand why you'd bring up Jordan's situation with his father's death. You seem to be skipping over the fact that he retired for a season and a half when that happened.</div> If I remember correctly, his father's death occured during Michael's playoff run that year. With his father's death on his mind, he averaged something like 40 points in the Finals. As an aside, I have to say it was very touching to see Michael cry and dedicate the championship to his father after he won. My point was that Jordan played magnificently and with a lot of emotion when he learned of his father's death. Yes, he did retire after the season, but when played, he never looked uninterested or passionless. Another story I am reminded of is a piece they did on ESPN about Chris Paul. When he was in high school, someone very close to him passed away. In memory of him, Chris went out and scored a point for every year that the man lived, which was 61. He did it, and he intentionally missed a free throw to stay at 61. He is another person to respond positively on the court to off-court tragedy. To me Mcgrady's reaction to the tragedy shows that he may be looking to quit. Or he could be in a very bad shooting slump. If his personal problems continue to negatively effect his play, maybe the Rockets should consider letting take a few days off. I think Ryan Bowen might have better shooting nights that some of Mcgrady during the last couple of weeks. All of this is moot anyway. We'll see after the All-Star game what is truly the cause. If he starts to play better, it'll be evidence that his on-court troubles is attributable to this personal issue. This is what should happen since he has said he has exorcised his demons and he is feeling better every day. If he continues to struggle, than he is probably just in a very Shaq-at-the-free-throw-line-like slump. I don't think he has quit on the team because even when he quit in Orlando, he averaged almost thirty a game. Does anyone know why Tracy and Vince Carter, who are cousins, are the only two basketball athletes to admit to quitting on their teams? Is it a family thing?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting shapecity:</div><div class="quote_post">What did you guys think of Charles Barkley's comments? He said, McGrady owes it to the Rockets to be the leader of this team. All these players want the fame and the money, but when their team needs them the most they are full of excuses. He said sympathizes with TMac, but said other people in the working world have to go back to work the next day. TMac not being able to handle this is a cop out.</div> His career certainly has had clouds over it in regards to leadership, and numeruous other aspects of his attitude. I think he's matured alot since the Orlando days, and with that he's become a lot less selfish and more tolerant to pain, but i don't think he's fully come to terms with his role as a true leader of a team just yet.
no offense but i really like tmac but u cant call him a leader until he wins a playoff series i think he will dewvelop into a good leader once he wins a playoff series which i thought he would do this year if they make the playoffs but it was probably something he didnt want to talk about and people just keep askin him which is making it worse during the all star game we will see if its the old tmac or the current one anyways hope he gets over it
Charles Barkley said McGrady owes it to the Rockets to be the leader of this team. No he doesn't. He owes it to the Rockets to play hard and work hard. He doesn't owe it to them to be the Leader. For all I care Luther Head can be the leader. Just because you are a team's best talent doesn't mean you have to be the leader. That might not be a role suited for you. And with people putting pressure on you to be that only takes away from your ability to focus on what you do best. that's my personal philosophy.
But the thing is, mcgrady himself declared that he is the leader of this team. Of course, after you say things like that, people will expect more from you and your actions. So far, he just hasn't shown to be a great leader, not a bad one surely, but still not a great one also.
Charles Barkley was an amazing player, but not the best off court critisizer. If he didn't notice Tmac became the leader of this team last year, he still is. When a player goes through something like what Tmac is probably going through it affects your game. Not everyone is like Brett Favre and can do a career performance the next game after a major family crisis. Whatever he is going through it will soon pass. maybe his wife fiancee and him are having problems or whatever, but give him some credit. You have to remember... this is the team that would have a winning record if both Yao and Tmac were healthy the whole season(I'm basing that on the current record when they both player). If you guys lose faith this fast, then you aren't true fans.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Charles Barkley said McGrady owes it to the Rockets to be the leader of this team. No he doesn't. He owes it to the Rockets to play hard and work hard. He doesn't owe it to them to be the Leader. For all I care Luther Head can be the leader. Just because you are a team's best talent doesn't mean you have to be the leader. That might not be a role suited for you. And with people putting pressure on you to be that only takes away from your ability to focus on what you do best. that's my personal philosophy.</div> Thats true and all, but McGrady's the friggin captain of the team. He's supposed to be the leader. Now, I don't agree totally with Sir Charles' comments but I think as the captain of the team, McGrady has certain responsibilities he needs to uphold.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">If I remember correctly, his father's death occured during Michael's playoff run that year. With his father's death on his mind, he averaged something like 40 points in the Finals. As an aside, I have to say it was very touching to see Michael cry and dedicate the championship to his father after he won. My point was that Jordan played magnificently and with a lot of emotion when he learned of his father's death. Yes, he did retire after the season, but when played, he never looked uninterested or passionless. </div> You must not be remembering it correctly. His father was murdered July 23, 1993. That would have been after the NBA Finals.
I wonder if T-Mac could come out pissed off and determined after the ASB and lead this team to the playoffs. I hope he doesn't. This season isn't worthe his back.
what r u talking about if he leads his team to the playoffs this year or next its prolly gonna be the same team so whats the difference from takin them to the playoffs this year as to the next nothing if they go to the playoffs they have a good chance to win the championship imo
Charles Barkley is an ASS. Sure McGrady OWES it to the Rockets to the be the leader and push us into the playoffs, but the man is happy to be here -- if his ability on the court is lacking, obviously SOMETHING is wrong. T-mac doesn't just turn off, he doesn't just have off nights. Someone brought up Michael's dad, how 'bout Brett Favre's? The man played nearly the game of his career after his father died, that was totally inspiring to watch. But some guys just can't keep it in like others can. Some people just can't play through it. Tracy's been through a lot, and it hasn't taken a toll on him yet -- but this thing might just be the one to blow it all up. Anyone remember that article from last year (maybe late 2004?), that was posted on JBB -- talking about the countless people close to McGrady who died throughout his career? The number was staggering. I'll try pulling that up, that was insane to see. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting igotask8board:</div><div class="quote_post">I wonder if T-Mac could come out pissed off and determined after the ASB and lead this team to the playoffs. I hope he doesn't. This season isn't worthe his back.</div> Well that would depend on what the season is worth. If somehow, the Rockets rack up a huge number of wins, all thanks to McGrady's will power, and find themselves in the thick of the playoffs - it'd be worth it. But if the rest of the team decides to slack off, which I doubt they will .. McGrady's efforts might be in vain. I still believe the playoffs aren't far away. We just need a big winstreak, and we're back in the thick of it. Let's. Go. Rockets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">what r u talking about if he leads his team to the playoffs this year or next its prolly gonna be the same team so whats the difference from takin them to the playoffs this year as to the next nothing if they go to the playoffs they have a good chance to win the championship imo</div> The difference is a lottery pick. If we tank the rest of this season, the Rockets could get a top five ish lottery draft pick and get someone pretty good. Perhaps a Reddick, Morrison, Gay, Brewer, or Williams (Shelden), who are all definite upgrades over Wesley (who might not even be signed next season), Anderson (too injury prone and high volume player), or Barry (not as effective as last year).
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">You must not be remembering it correctly. His father was murdered July 23, 1993. That would have been after the NBA Finals.</div> Yeah you are right. For some reason I have this picture in my head of Michael Jordan on the floor clucthing the championship tropy, crying, and saying something like "this is for my father". Am I making this scene up or does anybody else remember seeing this. Maybe it was a different year.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting evolidiot:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah you are right. For some reason I have this picture in my head of Michael Jordan on the floor clucthing the championship tropy, crying, and saying something like "this is for my father". Am I making this scene up or does anybody else remember seeing this. Maybe it was a different year.</div> That was his first championship. And, actually, his father was sitting right next to him at the time, I believe.
Barkley's comments were harsh. A lot of players use the court for a sanctuary. Maybe the problem for McGrady actually has something to do with playing basketball along with off-court pressure. Maybe everytime he steps on the court he's being reminded of this serious problem. I have no idea what the problem is, but it's likely health related. McGrady brought it up to the media because I'm sure he wants to give the fans an idea of what he's going through, without getting specific about it. His willingness to talk about it is a step in the right direction for him. It would be worse if he was in denial and defensive about the situation. At least he's identified the problem and is trying to cope with it.
