T-Mac might have to “shut it down”
Tracy McGrady (photo. Marc Morrison)Tracy McGrady left last night’s Rockets/Thunder game in the third quarter when he apparently re-aggravated a left knee injury that had required offseason surgery. T-Mac will have an MRI today, and relayed to reporters afterward the details of how he got hurt.
“My knee gave out on me,” McGrady was quoted in the Houston Chronicle. “They told me if I was to go back in, and they saw me limping they were going to take me back out. I was like, ‘Well, that’s what you’re pretty much going to see.’ My knee is feeling right. I hate to do this, but I’m going to get an MRI tomorrow and until, further notice, I’m going to have to shut it down. Tonight, I went back to square one, like before even surgery. I’ve always been feeling it, but tonight, before that particular play, I came up and it just gave out on me. I’ve been trying to work my way into playing shape and strengthen my leg. I’ve never been 100 percent. I’ve just been hoping playing on it would put me over the edge and I won’t have any more pain, but it hasn’t worked.”
In his blog on the newspaper’s website, Rockets beat writer Jonathan Fiegen wrote, “McGrady’s disposition hurt worse than the knee, to the point, he had grown tired of struggling with his rehab and frustrated with his most ordinary level of play.”
Going into last night’s game, T-Mac was averaging 16.7 points (38.7% FG’s), 4.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists, and has been inconsistent throughout. In recent losses to the Spurs and Lakers he shot a combined 3-for-23 from the field, but he scored 27 points in a win over the Suns last week, and had dropped 30 against the Blazers on November 6th.
We’ll let you know as soon as we hear the MRI results.
Source: Houston Chronicle
November 18th, 2008 at 8:17 am
Kermit the Washington says:
“might have to shut it down”…
you think he may have meant for good? He sounds really discouraged right now.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:24 am
iain. says:
He knew his knee (of all things) wasn’t right, but he thought by playing 35-40 minutes a night on it might make things better? All players should know, when it comes to knees: DONT F*CK AROUND. I feel for Tracey though, he just wants to play i guess.
Also Kermit, nice insight it did sound like he was thinking those thoughts. I hope not though.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:26 am
knoc says:
sigh seems somthin always gota ruin the rockets party. thought theyd be up for a championship this season
November 18th, 2008 at 8:28 am
knoc says:
and yes knees are one of the human weaknesses. they werent originally made to take that kinda beating
November 18th, 2008 at 8:32 am
fallinup says:
If he isn’t or wasn’t 100%…then even shouldn’t have even tried to come back. Knee problems, leg problems, back problems. McGrady needs to take a chill from the game and get better. Why even play in this early of the season if you’re not 100% and your last name is McGrady?
November 18th, 2008 at 8:36 am
GEE... Well Sa da Tay! says:
Houston up!
Knoc you are right. It’s like someone is constantly pission on T-Mac’s head telling him it’s rain. Dude can’t win for losing, or getting hurt in his case.
I promise the Rockets still have the most horrid strength and conditioning team. Still that is crazy last night how at different points Yao, Ron and Mac all had to leave the game due to injury.
I am gonna hold comments on Mac till the All-Star break, then I will make my final comments on him.
Right now I am caught in between in wanting to still believe he is that dude that can carry a squad and get it done one day, but with every injury my hope weakens.
I know no one is just hoping to be injured, but I really can’t recall one dude being hurt so much. Then I look at someone like A.I. who plays through broken bones, sprains, pulled muscles and STD’s (just kidding), and I think Mac could stand to toughen up.
I’m hurtin right now.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Amar says:
don’t worry rockettes fans, tmac will be back in time for his yearly playoff exit at the hands of the utah jazz.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Amar says:
taking the premise suggested by knoc we can use deductive reasoning to suggest that t-mac’s knees are like a hooker’s lady parts — as both were not meant for the beating that they take on a nightly basis.
probably more true than any of us want to admit . .
November 18th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Ashlov says:
SUR-PRISE! In related news, the sun rose this morning.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:54 am
ENEW says:
I have nothing but respect for McGrady’s talent but this guy can’t stay healthy. Some of it is bad luck, but some of it has to do with what he is or isn’t doing in the off season. Is he training to get his body ready for the long haul like Kobe and Pierce?
Those guys get beaten up all the time and find a way to answer the bell because of the way they condition before the season.
As far as the Rockets go they don’t need McGrady to carry them, just to play a role I think. When Battier returns McGrady’s minutes should decline, well that is if he is healthy enough to play. Artest and Yao will carry this team, with the rest of the guys filling their important roles. Landry, Hayes, Alston, Brooks, Barry and McGrady are all important but this is no longer just McGrady’s team, it can’t be if they want to get out of the West.
November 18th, 2008 at 8:55 am
A$$Cube aka Crutch City says:
Too bad for his legacy though. The Rockets might be on their way to break through the first round this year, and T-Mac might not even be part of it, I guess. T-Mac should have given a harder look at the end of the bench too see what the injury-plagued Franchise has become…
November 18th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Eduardo says:
I think Marbury would give him one knee if T-Mac pays well…
November 18th, 2008 at 9:06 am
dagwaller says:
When T-Mac is healthy…
When Sheed is motivated…
November 18th, 2008 at 9:09 am
itsakademiks says:
i dont think its for lack of conditioning i remembered i read somewhere that mcgrady height’s shot up something crazy when he was in high school and you gotta remember he been logging extensive minutes since he was wat 17 or 18 (i know samething with kobe) but tmac is wat 6 8 and he was a skinny 190-200 until he got with orlando maybe his body is just finally breaking down. i have the same fear with lebron.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:18 am
JCARR says:
Can Ron Ron carry the load???
T-mac unfortunately is becoming more and more irrelevant. His legacy as and overall player is good, not great. Mainly in part because he has never helped his TEAM get out of the first round off the playoffs. T-mac needs to watch some of his games from orlando, and rehab that kneed to 100%.
I think that for now they need to let yao and ron carry the load. Yao is disappointing as well. He gets like 7 boards a game. Put in francis, instead of having him sit and cheer right next to the Rockets cheerleaders.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Brown says:
What’s the over/under on the number of games before Yao has to do the same thing? I’ll say 30.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Notorious says:
“Unbreakable, what you thought they call me Mr.Glass…” - Kanye.
The most fragile team in the entire NBA, between T-Glass and Yaouch the Rockets will never compete for the crown. Sorry Houston fans, but I am guessing most of you already know this, so not much of a surprise. Houston needs to rebuild, time to trade away the damaged goods and start over.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Prof. TX says:
Same story as always, never in the finals but never in the lottery either. The top teams get to focus on a title, and even the bottom teams have a shot at a #1 or #2 pick in the draft. It’s hardest on fans when your team is in the middle, and can’t win either of those prizes.
Worst case, if McGrady just retires, that frees up a lot of money to throw at a star free agent. With that much cash, an all-star center and some decent roleplayers, Houston could be a major player in the free agent market.
November 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
chaos says:
dude needs to do what darius miles did and call tim grover and get some real work in. its some really good conditioning coaches around that will push him. obviously whoever is down there is not getting the job done. he is in the same exact predicament as his former teammate grant hill. world class talent and skill, world class injuries and will possibly be a role player in the twilight of his career for a contender
November 18th, 2008 at 9:57 am
GEE... Well Sa da Tay! says:
Hey Amar…Got rings? Also Jazz fans don’t need to worry either right cause the jazz will pick and roll to possibly advancing in the playoffs but getting kicked out again as they always do.
To the rest of everyone getting all ova the Rockets. Enjoy ya time of hatin, debatin and speculatin cause your team will be under the scope soon enough.
Oh LORD I done foun my swag!
November 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
Mamba says:
Gotta feel for T-Mac,
Sometimes I wonder if there is such a thing as self-fulfilling prophecy in Pro Sports,
Everyone always talks about how he can never stay healthy, cant get out of the first round,
It’s no wonder he sounded as discouraged as he did in that article, this year was without a doubt his best look at it
November 18th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
dapro says:
I think this is actually good for the Rockets as long as Yao and Artest stay healthy.
Mac is not himself this season, it’s evident that he’s hurt. Hopefully he can take this time to recover and come back 85-95%
I hate to see this happen to dude
November 18th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
dapro says:
He should see the trainers out in Phoenix cause they got something special in the desert
Shaq, Nash, and Grant Hill have prolonged their careers working with that medical staff
November 18th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
SWAT says:
damn damn damn!! what a crappy day…i so much want to believe in dude and my squad. “This is the rebirth…the streets thirst…” This was supposed to be Clutch city 09 and i wanted it to be so bad but we just cant catch a break. Adelman needs to start playing dorsey and wafer and just let these cats ball. Shit it cant be much worse.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Amar says:
ooooh, I got burned bad . . . jazz have no rings. at least the jazz used to get to the west finals / nba finals when jordan was playing basketball instead of baseball. when was the last time the rockets beat the jazz in the playoffs? 1995? 13 years ago? nice.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
GEE... Well Sa da Tay! says:
Comical. So let me get this right at least your team got to the finals when jordan was playing, and didn’t win.
Soooooo…ummmmm… hmmmm…shouldn’t your team have won it all when jordan was playing baseball?
(insert ticking clock sound here)
take all the time you need for a response.
Jazz haven’t beatin the Rockets in the playoffs in a long time true. Funny thing is though, for your jazz to be so good, they always end up out the playoffs too?
So sure your team goes further in the playoffs I applaud you all. Thing is, even if you all do exit the Rockets again, I ain’t trippin cause evvverrryone knows the Jazz are soon to follow.
You said it best though “jazz have no rings.”
re-burnt!
November 18th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
Dave says:
McGrady hasn’t looked healthy all season. Every Rockets game I’ve watched I’ve thought that he shouldn’t be on the court. He’s maybe 65% healthy right now, he’s clearly laboring and we still have 70 more games before the playoffs start.
Take some rest and get yourself right. The team isn’t winning anything come playoff time if Tracy isn’t fit.
November 19th, 2008 at 7:59 am
iannyb says:
Poor Tmac can’t seem to catch a break. When healthy thuis guy is easily in the top five best players in the league{remember his days in Orlando}but his body can never seem to hold up.Like he said he’s athleticism is ridiculous making him the highlight reel he is.Wish him all the best though cuz he’s one of the guys i would stay up late night to watch. Go Lakers!!!!!!!
Im out peace and love from St Lucia.
November 19th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Pskila says:
^^^^He catches a lot of breaks…that is why they call him Mr. Glass…lol..he has to be one of the most injury prone superstars that I’ve seen in recent years..