[Chron] Jazz craft defense to stifle McGrady

[jzmagik]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/spo ... 34894.html

"I'm happy he only got one shot (in the fourth quarter)," said the Jazz's Deron Williams. "I am surprised. I thought he'd be a little more aggressive. I know he talked about being more aggressive to (the media)."

"I'm kind of surprised," Brewer said. "Because I think they're a team that pretty much goes whatever way T-Mac goes. We'd rather have somebody else try to beat us than have T-Mac take over the game and get 50 points. If he's not going to be able to get it going, we'll take it. It's worked so far in the series."

"These are the playoffs, man," Williams said. "You've got to step it up. I'm definitely glad T-Mac has said he had no legs, because that's our game plan

[YoungMoney23]

I wonder if he got the call for the foul in that picture

[Got em Coach]

I wonder if he got the call for the foul in that picture

charge on mcgrady

[Got em Coach]

this was prolly a foul on scola

[bubba]

or how about that obvious hack on landry? me and all my buddies had tourettes that night. i think well win games 5 and 6. landry and scola need to come out full force and take it to boozer and okur.

[moofs]

Speaking of Chron stories, Justice sure made a mountain out of a molehill. By the point in his career, it should be obvious that McGrady doesn't think politically enough when he's talking to realize when he should shut up or that something he's saying isn't quite right. What he ended up saying wasn't even that bad, granted he shouldn't have said it. RJ's probably just trying to drum up one last storyline while we're still playing.

[Iggyemu]

Dunno if this is 'punking' but they sure don't respect or fear him. Unfortunately for us McGrady isn't that type of guy that would make a team pay for that kind of stuff.

[fnasser]

we all love tmac here and we dont wana rip on him . and he does get unfair criticism alot of the time and even if he was playing at his best it would be unfair to expect him to lead the his team over the jazz considering we didnt have rafer the first two games and we dont have yao.

but the bottom line is mcgrady has shown that he has absolutely no leadership qualities what so ever and that he is not fearless, which is what makes kobe, jordan and lebron so great.

he never knows how to say the right things and he never takes the blame. he rarely credits his teammates. and we can say that he tells the truth to a fault (even though it was his stupidity that made us not get that last rebound) but the bottom line is whenever we do win games all we hear from him is how he imposed his will on the game and all that BS. he cant take criticism and is a terrible team player attitude-wise and morale-wise.

all it would take to win this series is Mcgrady hustling on every play and encouraging his teammates, cheering them on, not getting on their asses when they screw up and no complaining to the refs when he doesnt get the call. run back on defense. if mcgrady goes all out the whole game and plays like hes got his teammates backs, they will follow and the game will be so easy.

hes still my favorite player but hes shown hes absolutely the most stubborn player in the league.

[King Roosk]

Dunno if this is 'punking' but they sure don't respect or fear him. Unfortunately for us McGrady isn't that type of guy that would make a team pay for that kind of stuff.

It sucks that you're right. Lebron or Kobe would unleash hell on Utah if they ran their mouths like that about him in the media. Hell, even David West took his rage out on Dallas...David West!

Come on T-mac, we've got game 5 in Houston, make them regret saying that sh*t.

[Got em Coach]

Speaking of Chron stories, Justice sure made a mountain out of a molehill. By the point in his career, it should be obvious that McGrady doesn't think politically enough when he's talking to realize when he should shut up or that something he's saying isn't quite right. What he ended up saying wasn't even that bad, granted he shouldn't have said it. RJ's probably just trying to drum up one last storyline while we're still playing.

agreed. i cannot stand justice and fran freekin blinebury. f**k u too john mcclain

[Amel]

TMac in 4th

[moofs]

TMac in 4th

(picture)

[Texas Longhorns]

It's like Deron Williams is sorta calling out to T-Mac and telling him to STEP UP. Why doesn't T-Mac look up with his lazy eyes and see on the scoreboard that he only has 1 FG attempt and he should assert himself more into the game ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COUNTS IN THE 4TH QUARTER? Damn, T-mac, damn!

[Rive]

^I don't think any of the Jazz fans were 'calling' Tmac out or dissing him in the media. Even the part about Deron saying "It's the playoffs, you gotta step up" in my opinion was him talking about the Jazz defensive effort, not dissing Tmac or telling him to step up. I don't see what the big deal is, they are stating the obvious facts and just saying what their game plan is. The Jazz have a lot of respect for him, Ronnie Brewer says that everytime they ask him about Mcgrady. "He's capable of 50 points" "He can take over a game" etc etc.... The Jazz aren't the ones talking smack through the media.

[Iggyemu]

It doesn't matter what who meant or what they didn't. The thing is...great NBA players take whatever was said and twist it into something that will allow em to drop 50 no matter what the next game's defense brings.

[Rive]

Dunno if this is 'punking' but they sure don't respect or fear him. Unfortunately for us McGrady isn't that type of guy that would make a team pay for that kind of stuff.

[HTown_TMac]

I wish he was

[TMACFORMVP]

Dunno if this is 'punking' but they sure don't respect or fear him. Unfortunately for us McGrady isn't that type of guy that would make a team pay for that kind of stuff.

Pretty much, pretty sad really.

[tisbee]

From the VCR,T-Mac and Rockets 4Q in game 4 on offense.
T-Mac enters game at 8:12 to go,Rockets down 7.
T-Mac has ball stolen by Harpring.
Makes jumper waived off because of offensive foul on Scola.
Scola fouled setting screen for McGrady. McGrady drives,passes to Scola who gets shot blocked.Mcgrady gets rebound as ball bounces out to him.Two Jazz run at him,thinks quick shot but passes to Jackson who misses 3.
Alston drives,misses quick J.
T-Mac fakes 3,drives,scores.
Fouled w/out ball. 1 of 2.
Fouled on long J. 1 of 2.(4:35 to go.)
Doubled,passes to Alston.Alston drives,misses.
Doubled,pass to Battier who passes it back. T-Mac drives,passes to Landry who makes tough lay-up.
Comes off screen,doubled,tries jump pass to open Scola at basket but pass deflected,stolen.
Alston dribbles past McGrady screen,both defenders stay w/McGrady,Alston drives left,misses floater. Landry rebounds,shot blocked by Korver(!).
Drives,doubled,passes to open Scola,who's fouled. 2 of 2.
As double comes passes to Battier who makes loooong 3.
Rebounds Jazz miss,brings it up,at 1/2court Kirilenko tries to pick him up as Scola tries to set screen. T-Mac heads right and Korver jumps past Battier. T-Mac tries to change direction again,bobbles ball and stops dribble to keep from traveling call.Passes to Battier. Battier passes to Alston who circles along top 3pt line,uses Battier,Scola,McGrady to get free for 3.
Mcgrady sets up on low post,Jackson tries to rub off his man and get open corner 3.Entry pass blocked.Same play w/Jackson getting pass and driving and missing lay-up. Landry dunks rebound-tho ball sure looked to be on rim.
Run same play,both defenders stay w/McGrady,Jackson misses wide open 3,Landry rebounds,Kirelenko blocks shot,game ends.

Takes 3 Js. 1 make,fouled on 1,1 waives off on Scola foul.
Drives 4 times. Makes 1 shot,passes 3 times for 1 basket,Scola fouled,missed shot.
On Perimeter 8 times.Fouled once,2 turnovers,1 assist on a 3,pass to Jackson who missed.Gave it to teammate 3 times,got it back once(drive lead to assist.),Alston missed shot,made 3.
Didn't touch the ball 4 times. 4 missed shots. 3 Landry offensive rebounds-2 blocked,1 dunk.

As to the responding to "calling out",I don't think he can right now. His shoulder injury ruined his confidence in his shot,he can't explode because of his knee and his teammates can't convert his passes into baskets.
In the past he would wreak vengeance. He used to routinely drop 40 on Milwaukee because George Karl,the Bucks coach at time,made several derogatory comments about Doc rivers,his coach. Kenyon Martin and he almost got into a fight and after that he would destroy Martin whenever he was assigned to McGrady.
He's a shell of himself physically and I believe he's mentally drained. And for all the talk of soft,a quitter,etc.,just how many of us would go to work if we had to take shots that would minimize pain enough so we could work? McGrady has been doing that for the past 3 weeks.

[PocketRockets]

As to the responding to "calling out",I don't think he can right now. His shoulder injury ruined his confidence in his shot,he can't explode because of his knee and his teammates can't convert his passes into baskets.
In the past he would wreak vengeance. He used to routinely drop 40 on Milwaukee because George Karl,the Bucks coach at time,made several derogatory comments about Doc rivers,his coach. Kenyon Martin and he almost got into a fight and after that he would destroy Martin whenever he was assigned to McGrady.
He's a shell of himself physically and I believe he's mentally drained. And for all the talk of soft,a quitter,etc.,just how many of us would go to work if we had to take shots that would minimize pain enough so we could work? McGrady has been doing that for the past 3 weeks.

If he's out there, he can. If he can't sit your a$$ down. If you can't help the team win, then you're helping them lose, period. They would probably lose without him, but at least then he wouldn't be the cause of it. Regardless if you're double, triple teamed, if you are the so-called baddest player on the court, you take and make shots. Lebron passes sometimes at the end, but usually takes it on three guys and creates/makes a tough shot. Likewise, with kobe, Jordan, Bird, Magic with his mini hooks. If you're a winner, you find ways to score. We can all agree though, that T-mac isn't a winner and will probably never be. Hence, we should get someone in here that has that mentality.

Also, people talk about how it's not his fault that he loses all these 1st round series, but there comes a point when the only variable in the losses is him (not the team he's on or playing against). It's not like he's been the 8th seed everytime, he's had HC a few times.