Thank goodness TMac is coming back soon

[rocket_zoom]

If you look at all the games the Rockets won while TMac was out, we had a bit of luck on our side in that different role players would step up. Sometimes it was Rafer, sometimes Head, sometimes Brooks, and sometimes Scola. The one trend throughout all those wins was that the Rockets had somebody else, other than Yao, play an oustanding game.

The problem tonight is that two of the players that stepped up in TMac's absence, decided to take 37 FG attempts and sink a pathetic 13 FGs only: Rafer and Head. Not surprisingly, the constant chucking of these two allowed the Sixers to come back tonight. Including the game today, you can see why we need TMac back in the lineup:

1) When Yao was subbed with his fourth foul, that was the start of the Sixer's comeback. Rafer and Head decided to put the offense in their hands and the Rockets went on a FG drought. I would rather have TMac making 37 FG attempts over Head and Rafer any day.

2) If Head isn't scoring, he is absolutely useless on the court. He doesn't bring defense, he doesn't bring rebounds, and he dosen't bring passing (ironic that he doesn't pass well, even though he is a PG). Even when TMac isn't scoring, TMac commands double teams on him, which frees up other players. Unfortunately, every team is smart enough to not double Head.

3) Our offense is so predictable with TMac out. The strategy is pretty much, "try to find Yao" or "get Yao a touch" on the play. The Sixers capitalized on that today by forcing TOs when the Rockets tried to pass to Yao. In fact, the Sixers were looking and waiting for the entry pass to Yao. With TMac in, they would be forced to split equal defensive attention to TMac, making it easier to get the ball to Yao.

4) It's foolish to think our role players can step up in TMac's absence in the long run. We've been lucky in that a different player has stepped up during all the wins lately, but that won't happen in the longer run. We want consistent output in the longer run and TMac provides that.

BTW, I am a Yao fan, but those who really believed the Rockets were that good with TMac out are a bit delusional. When you depend on Rafer and Head to take 37 FG attempts out of a possible 80 FG attempts, that is a recipe for disaster in the longer run.

Rocket Zoom

[YoungMoney23]

luther had no business taking 20 shots and thats all i have to say

[moofs]

If you look at all the games the Rockets won while TMac was out, we had a bit of luck on our side in that different role players would step up. Sometimes it was Rafer, sometimes Head, sometimes Brooks, and sometimes Scola. The one trend throughout all those wins was that the Rockets had somebody else, other than Yao, play an oustanding game.

The problem tonight is that two of the players that stepped up in TMac's absence, decided to take 37 FG attempts and sink a pathetic 13 FGs only: Rafer and Head. Not surprisingly, the constant chucking of these two allowed the Sixers to come back tonight. Including the game today, you can see why we need TMac back in the lineup:

1) When Yao was subbed with his fourth foul, that was the start of the Sixer's comeback. Rafer and Head decided to put the offense in their hands and the Rockets went on a FG drought. I would rather have TMac making 37 FG attempts over Head and Rafer any day.

2) If Head isn't scoring, he is absolutely useless on the court. He doesn't bring defense, he doesn't bring rebounds, and he dosen't bring passing (ironic that he doesn't pass well, even though he is a PG). Even when TMac isn't scoring, TMac commands double teams on him, which frees up other players. Unfortunately, every team is smart enough to not double Head.

3) Our offense is so predictable with TMac out. The strategy is pretty much, "try to find Yao" or "get Yao a touch" on the play. The Sixers capitalized on that today by forcing TOs when the Rockets tried to pass to Yao. In fact, the Sixers were looking and waiting for the entry pass to Yao. With TMac in, they would be forced to split equal defensive attention to TMac, making it easier to get the ball to Yao.

4) It's foolish to think our role players can step up in TMac's absence in the long run. We've been lucky in that a different player has stepped up during all the wins lately, but that won't happen in the longer run. We want consistent output in the longer run and TMac provides that.

BTW, I am a Yao fan, but those who really believed the Rockets were that good with TMac out are a bit delusional. When you depend on Rafer and Head to take 37 FG attempts out of a possible 80 FG attempts, that is a recipe for disaster in the longer run.

Rocket Zoom

TMac's been known to chuck from time to time too. You don't just get handed a .439/.330 shooting percentage on a silver platter.

[yaomac11-1]

His leadership and intensity will bring this team back up again

[MaxRider]

expect for some more loses when he return

[compucomp]

His leadership and intensity will bring this team back up again

Leadership and intensity is not what McGrady is known for, but scoring in bunches is. Right now we could use some of the latter.

[A.J.]

welcome back tracy, hopefully he adds a spark to our team

[dontel]

the sixers lost 7 in a row, they are due for a win, and were caught under the line due to the law of averages. (whatever that means )

[MilBucksBackOnTop06]

Yes, thank goodness. But in whose uniform? Your team or ours?

Rockets or Bucks?

[Eralp]

What do you mean ?

[trwi7]

What do you mean ?

He never means anything in any of his posts. Just ignore him.

[houstonboy01]

looks like he isnt coming back Saturday... He says he is too mentaly weak... But Mcgrady you played through being mentally weak for 10 seasons.....

http://www.click2houston.com/video/15077347/index.html

[grond]

looks like he isnt coming back Saturday... He says he is too mentaly weak... But Mcgrady you played through being mentally weak for 10 seasons.....

http://www.click2houston.com/video/15077347/index.html

thanks for the link. I like T-Mac interviews. Doesn't always say the right thing, but he's always honest.

Based on that interview, it looks like maybe another week before he sees court time.

[BaYBaller]

-= original quote snipped =-



thanks for the link. I like T-Mac interviews. Doesn't always say the right thing, but he's always honest.

Based on that interview, it looks like maybe another week before he sees court time.

If he takes another week that would be just sad because the dude has been cleared to practice from the medical staff. That pretty much means the chances of re-injury are minimal, so mentally there should be no problems.

[grond]

-= original quote snipped =-
If he takes another week that would be just sad because the dude has been cleared to practice from the medical staff. That pretty much means the chances of re-injury are minimal, so mentally there should be no problems.

Well, the 'one more week' assessment was just me guestimating based on the general impression from the vid. Could be he wakes up tomorrow and is suddenly feeling a whole lot better, suits up for the Spurs, and gets a few minutes on the court.

But not being able to cut/move laterally yet probably does that scenario in. Yeah, ~week is my guess.

[TMACFORMVP]

Yeah, knowing how long this has prolonged I wouldn't be surprised if it was even longer.