Perhaps this sheds some light on why he said what he said: Early Exit Baffles Magic <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">McGrady also wanted to clear up the lingering issue that he might have publicly promised the Magic would close out the series upon building a 3-1 lead. Several Detroit players cited McGrady's comments as motivation for winning the last three games of the series. But in actuality, McGrady's comments were taken grossly out of context by ESPN. Just after the Magic's practice last Wednesday prior to Game 5 in Detroit, McGrady was asked a series of hypothetical questions about how satisfying it would be to finally win a playoff series. Those quotes, run without the questions, gave the appearance that McGrady was boasting of a series victory prematurely. "I really don't know what they're all talking about," McGrady said. "I'm smarter than that to say some stuff like that. I think (the Pistons) were trying to make a big deal out of nothing. I'm smarter than to do something like that. But, hey, give Detroit credit because their backs were to the wall and they played their (expletives) off."</div> Mcgrady went on to say: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">"It hurts to lose again, but my motto will stay the same. I will come back stronger and this will be another motivating factor for me," said McGrady, the NBA's leading scorer during the regular season. "People ask me, 'How can you get much better?' I've added something to my game every year and I'll do it again. Trust me, I'll be better."</div> It makes more sense to hear that he was baited by the media and quoted out of context. I'm glad to hear that. I think he learned last year about making predictions. Now he'll hopefully learn about answering hypothetical questions. I'm also glad to hear him say he's motivated to get better. If he does and Orlando adds some help via free agency and the draft perhaps it won't have to be hypothetical questions any more.
yeah, tmac isn't that boastful to say that he advanced up 3-1. good to hear that it wasn't true and he didn't say it in that context. magic will be better next year and tmac will be mvp next year, he will probably improve his defense even more for the next year coming up.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "vinsanity03":</div><div class="quote_post">Well, Magic lost once again in first round. Mcgrady cant make his team win in the playoffs.</div> :cry: no he can't, only good thing is that gooden played excellent in the deciding game. 20 pts 17 rebounds. if he can avg 16 pts and 10 rebounds then i think the magic will get home court advantage next year.
^ ^ Not unless the raptors come back to there old form (not 95-98) Mcgrady is real good though, hopefully he can have another good season.
i dont think he is cuz it wasnt a private interview, it was probably with a lot of reporter there.....he should learn to excercise some caution when answering question regardless if espn took his answers out of context or not
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting "Alley-oop":</div><div class="quote_post">But maybe McGrady is lying.</div> He's not even the one who brought the subject up. He was asked by a reporter about if he knew that ESPN misquoted him. He's not out trying to salvage this in anyway, it's just that this newspaper brought it out.
Them reportes easily set the players up...out of all the players he's the only one to come out and say it wasn't true...Shaq don't deny nothin...neither does Kobe...I don't think T-Mac is lyin at all...i think it was clearly out of context...Just if u make it big...WATCH OUT FOR THOSE MEDIA TRICKS!
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">season. "People ask me, 'How can you get much better?' I've added something to my game every year and I'll do it again. Trust me, I'll be better."</div> noooooooooooooo. hes not boastful!! itd be funny if he pulled a vince carter next year and ended up averaging 23 points a game with 5 rebounds and 2 assists
Even if he was baited, players have to watch their word usage especiall when answering questions about the playoffs and such...this is when the media feasts on trying to come up with the best "locker room material."
