T-Mac not about to rest By Tim Povtak | Sentinel Staff Writer Posted September 10, 2003 WINTER HAVEN -- Tracy McGrady said Tuesday that he expects no recurrence of the back problem that sidelined him briefly at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico two weeks ago. Judging by his schedule now, it's hard to doubt him. McGrady worked out Tuesday afternoon, served as an honorary official at a charity basketball game, attended a rap concert, then closed his night with shooting drills at Shaquille O'Neal's home basketball court. "I'm fine. I feel great," McGrady said after serving as the featured attraction at a fund-raising event at the All Saints Academy in Winter Haven, where his sister goes to school. "It [the back problem] was no big deal. I'm ready to go. My back is strong." The Orlando Magic will open training camp at Disney's Wide World of Sports at the end of the month. McGrady once again will be the centerpiece to their hopes for the season. Fresh from helping Team USA go unbeaten in the Olympic qualifying tournament, he said he will spend the next few weeks working on his conditioning. "I can't take it easy now. It's not in my blood to do that," he said. "I'm going hard every day. It's the only thing I know. I want to get stronger. I want to get better." McGrady missed three games with a sore back, yet still averaged 12.9 points per game. He was the Americans' leading scorer (14.5 ppg) in the first four games, but he hurt his back in Game 5 against the U.S. Virgin Islands. He returned for the final three games. He said he expects to play again next summer for the United States at the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. "I just got a little taste of it [international play] this summer," he said. "But once we get to Athens, though, then it's the real thing. That's what I'm looking forward to." McGrady, 24, started having back problems two seasons ago late in the regular season, but he still played in 76 games. Last season he played in 75 games and led the NBA in scoring, averaging 32.1 points. He was greeted by a standing ovation at the All Saints Academy before throwing up the opening toss. He grew up in nearby Auburndale. His sister, mother and other family members were in attendance. He joked with players and fans during the game, attempting a half-court hook shot, then provided some advice to the students at halftime. "Don't spend all your time playing basketball," he told them. "Spend time getting a good education. Enjoy your high school years. Sometimes I wish I could go back."
"Sometimes I wish I could go back" only because he was kickin as$... its good that hell keep playing but you have to watch injuries no matter what he might say ,it could form to be serious in latter years
i wish he would just take a little break, to give his back time to heal, but don't say that he doesn't work hard, because he isn't taking any breaks.
The way Mcgrady is acting...he seems to think he needs to prove a point next season....and he might be right..
if he can prove that point, great news for magic fans!!!!!!!!!!!! i just hope that he doesn't try too hard and get injured.
The key to the Magics suuccess is not going to be Tracy McGrady, in three years there he has proved that he cant win by himself. A lot of the Magic success is going to depend on how well Steven Hunter developes, what Juwon Howard can give them, and how well Tyronn lue and Reece Gaines play the point
well the key is always tmac, but you are right about how we need those players to develop and play well in order to help tmac out. the season all comes down to how well tmac's supporting cast does. tmac will get his stats, but everyone else needs to step up.
