<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Funny, how the truth --- or the perceived truth --- comes out in time. When they were both with the Magic, Doc Rivers and T-Mac tried to bond to make Orlando a winner. Rivers even named T-Mac the captain of the team to begin the 2003-04 training camp. The next day, I basically lampooned the move, eliciting the wrath of Doc. Doc was angry and upset, but in his heart or hearts, he knew: The Magic had blundered by forcing T-Mac to become something he wasn't. While a great player, the young T-Mac wasn't the sort who wanted that responsibility --- or could have even handled it at his age. You can't force somebody to be a leader if it's not in them, no matter if you sew a "C" on their uniform for "Captain." I wrote that it was nothing more than a love letter from the Magic. Today, with the Houston Rockets, T-Mac appears mature enough to handle the role. Just not back then. Rivers, now the Boston Celtics coach, told the Boston Globe that he should have kept Darrell Armstrong around to assume the leadership of the team. Armstrong was no re-signed after the 2002-03 season. "The biggest mistake I have made as a coach was when we decided in Orlando that Tracy [ McGrady] was going to be the leader," Doc said. "That meant we had to remove Darrell. I knew on the first day of training camp that we had made a huge mistake because Tracy wasn't ready and Darrell's presence was missed. It was a horrible decision. You needed his energy, his drive. He makes people practice. He plays with a will, a drive, and he really believes that his will and effort can change a game." Obviously, that's why Armstrong is still in the league, and why the Indiana Pacers wanted him in a trade last summer. And he is kind of what today's version of the Magic is still missing.</div> Source
Mcgrady has really changed his life a lot since being traded to Houston. I think he took his mistakes that he made in Orlando, and learned from them. Its a shame that his skill is no where near as good as it was during his time in Orlando, and even his first year in Houston. Combine Mcgrady's play from his time in Orlando, with the leadership skills he has now, and you would have arguably the best player in the NBA.
i really don't McGradylost his "skills". For one, he plays in JVG's system which rapidly slows down the pace of the game and of course, he's had his share of injuries. When healthy, he would still put amazing numbers,look at his game in the past month or so. But i agree, ole' boy has matured a lot since his 19-straight-loss days.
I knew you should've signed Darrell when you didn't, Doc. You moron. You should've at least offered him a minimum contract. <div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Combine Mcgrady's play from his time in Orlando, with the leadership skills he has now, and you would have arguably the best player in the NBA.</div> lol, no
<div class="quote_poster">Blur Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Mcgrady has really changed his life a lot since being traded to Houston. I think he took his mistakes that he made in Orlando, and learned from them. Its a shame that his skill is no where near as good as it was during his time in Orlando, and even his first year in Houston. Combine Mcgrady's play from his time in Orlando, with the leadership skills he has now, and you would have arguably the best player in the NBA.</div> In January, Tracy is averaging 30 ppg, 7 apg, 6 rpg and 46% shooting. He's led a short-manned Rockets team to an 8-4 record in January against a tough schedule. He may not be the same player he used to be athletically, but his skills haven't diminished.
Reminds me a lot of Vince Carter in Toronto. Both weren't meant to be the leaders, but kind of got thrust into the role because of injuries, etc. I think Grant Hill was always meant to fill that role, but Orlando never really sought a replacement during his absence.
Why does this really matter? Both guys are gone(Doc and Tmac), get over it and worry about our current teams struggles. If this was posted 3 years ago, then yes discuss it, but this has been talked about over and over again.
<div class="quote_poster">Omarion Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is the Darrell in your favourite players, Darrell Armstrong?</div> DUH He's every real Magic fan's favorite (old) player
<div class="quote_poster">Omarion Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Is the Darrell in your favourite players, Darrell Armstrong?</div> Yes he was. Losing Darrell Armstrong was bad, but make a thread about that rather than "learning" the obvious that Tmac isn't a leader and especially when it's Doc Rivers that says it. They have both been gone for 3 years now.
