<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Tracy Lamar McGrady, Jr., was born on May 24, 1979 in Bartow, Florida. His mother, Melanise Williford, was just out of high school, and his father, while caring and interested in Tracy?s welfare, wasn?t an everyday part of his son?s life. In need of help, Melanise headed a short ways north to Auburndale, where her mother, Roberta, lived. The two women shared the responsibility of raising Tracy. Eventually he would call both ?Mom.? Auburndale?located between Tampa and Orlando, about 90 minutes from each?was a comfortable town of just 9,000 residents, most of whom were white. Tracy felt completely at ease there. An aunt anointed him with the nickname ?Pumpkinhead,? and just about everyone in town referred to him that way. He and his friends bounced around a neighborhood known as the ?Hill? as though they owned it. Life could be rough in Auburndale. One of Tracy?s starkest childhood memories was the shooting death of a cousin?s boyfriend. The incident convinced him that he didn?t want to spend his adult years on the Hill.</div> <div align="center">Link</div>
That was a great read. It's amazing all the breaks McGrady received to be put in a position to succeed in the NBA. I noticed every where he went he seemed to have problems with authority figures. Mouthing off at his teach, fighting his high school coach, getting in Darrell Walker's doghouse etc. I wonder if his problems with the 'male authority figure' is caused by not really having a father around when he was younger. How has his relationship with Van Gundy been?
Hmm...hadn't thought about the lack of a male authority figure aspect but I'll bet you're on to something. I noticed that every incident they mentioned where he had a run-in with an authority figure, he responded positively and grew from it. Along those same lines, I got the feeling after reading that story that Tracy THRIVES on being challenged and pushed. Perhaps this is why he seems so laid back on the court at times, yet tends to be so focused in the crucial moments. He's also a beast in the playoffs, so maybe he just kicks it up to another level when that "challenge" (the playoffs) presents itself. EDIT: There are more pages to that biography that you can access by clicking the links above the story. They've got some interesting random facts and quotes there. There is also a Yao Ming bio if anyone wants to check it out, but I figure we hear enough about his behind the scenes stuff already. I believe McGrady and Jon Barry have both said that Van Gundy is the best coach they've ever played for. If that's true, I'd say things are going well
No one is questioning T-Mac's heart now as they were last season. He's by far the best player on our team. Although Yao would probably be our future focal point, McGrady would be a great Magic to our own Kareem in the case of Yao. One part of his facts page caught my eye: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the Fall of 2002, Tracy learned that Iran Brown, a 13-year-old victim of the Maryland and Virginia sniper attacks, was a big fan of his. He sent the youngster a jersey, then weeks later the two shot baskets at a Magic practice. Brown attended Orlando?s game against Milwaukee that night, though Tracy was sidelined with a bad back.</div>Really speaks volumes about Tracy's character. He is the right man to lead a team.
I remember that incident, I know T-Mac did a lot for the youth in Orlando, I'm sure he'll set up a foundation in Houston, (if he doesn't have one already.) Glad to see T-Mac finally found the right coach, and the right situation to have people focus more on his play, than his attitude.
Good story. I wonder how Tmac would do if he went to pro baseball. I have heeard him say that he is better in baseball than basketball. That would be interesting, maybe he could go to the astros.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting bplld:</div><div class="quote_post">Good story. I wonder how Tmac would do if he went to pro baseball. I have heeard him say that he is better in baseball than basketball. That would be interesting, maybe he could go to the astros.</div> I recently saw some footage of Tracy practicing with Roger Clemens and Tracy looked like he had some pretty nice speed on his fastball.
To be effective, McGrady has to be focused and well, challenged. That probably explains his laziness on the Magic but hopefully, he keeps up his stellar playing for the playoffs. Since he hasn't made all that many appearances in the playoffs, it will definitely be interesting to see if he can elevate his game to help Houston get some wins.
I thought it was a great read. I liked the way the reader wasn't afraid to expose Tracy McGrady's attitude. I wonder why so many Magic fans hate him?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought it was a great read. I liked the way the reader wasn't afraid to expose Tracy McGrady's attitude. I wonder why so many Magic fans hate him?</div> maybe Magic's w-l record last season holds the answer...But that's all in the past now...He came in H-town to play ball!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting mrj18:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought it was a great read. I liked the way the reader wasn't afraid to expose Tracy McGrady's attitude. I wonder why so many Magic fans hate him?</div> That's just like asking why most Toronto fans hate Vince Carter. Both players, and cousins for that matter, admitted that they didn't give 100% when their teams were losing and both demanded trades.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">That's just like asking why most Toronto fans hate Vince Carter. Both players, and cousins for that matter, admitted that they didn't give 100% when their teams were losing and both demanded trades.</div> So putting their respective franchises on the map (especially Carter) isn't good? I don't understand how fans can forget many years of service because of one bad situation. McGrady has been known to have attitude problems his whole career, but what he's done with Orlando has been good overall...even if it didn't end on the right foot.
you cant blame tracy for not giving 100% nor vince carter either. they both played with teams that did not fit well for them. Tracy had even said it in a interview earlier this year in which he had stated that he was put into a team where the coaches were very new and did not know what to do and their whole attitude towards tracy was very tiring. when he went to orlando he was expected to carry the team on his back and having to hear the GM talk about him even when he was tryingot do his job and take matters professionally. now withthe trades of vince carter to the nets vince has rememerged into what he coul dhave become, and tracy traded to teh rockets in which he has grown maturely becoming a better ball player, decision maker, and a better person as a whole, and that is good because he deserves this and i hope he stays in houston for a long time because hes having fun here.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting j_a_d_e:</div><div class="quote_post">maybe Magic's w-l record last season holds the answer...But that's all in the past now...He came in H-town to play ball!</div> yeah and that wasn"t his fault the magic should ov got some new ppl it was all about t-mac then now on houston he has teamates he can depend on and if it wasn"t for him they would not have even 19 wins so they better watch it
