Could it be? Could we have seen the last of Tracy McGrady on the NBA hardwood? It’s a real possibility since some recent comments by some very reputable news sources and McGrady himself, may have him leaning towards retirement if he cannot return to his old self. At the very least he seems dead set on another after round of extensive rehab and conditioning this Summer, in hopes of landing with another club in 2011.
After an impressive debut as a member of the New York Knicks on February 20th. where he dazzled the Madison Square Garden faithful with a stat-line of 26 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 1 steal, Tracy’s all-around production slid to season ending numbers of 9.4 ppg, 3.9 ast, 3.7 rebs, while shooting only 24% from three. He was especially horrific in the season’s final month of April where he played in only 4 of 8 games and averaged a paltry 4 ppg.
Those numbers on any team, good or bad, would result in diminished playing time as one of a coach’s last remaining role players coming off the bench. Not exactly the type of production we are used to seeing out of the former 7 time All-Star and 2 time scoring champion. And judging by McGrady’s recent comments, McGrady is not exactly keen on the idea of being a role player for some team next year or beyond.
“If it don’t happen this summer, I’ll ride off into the sunset.” “If I could go through another off-season of working my [butt] off, and I don’t feel I’m getting any better, I can’t see myself coming back playing the way I’m playing right now. I just don’t see it happening.”
No doubt, it’s a sad story. But in my opinion, McGrady is just plain delusional. He is now just another name on a long list of fading superstars who can’t seem to know when it’s time to turn the lights out on a great career. He’s basically giving himself an ultimatum to either return to All-Star form or call it quits, which appears to be a losing proposition considering that he’s played in only 65 games over the past 2 seasons. Players like Grant Hill and Shaquille O’Neal are the only players who come to mind in recent memory who are still enjoying great careers after accepting a supporting role due to injuries or just plain old……………….getting old.
McGrady doesn’t fit either mold, since at age 31 he isn’t ancient but seems unwilling to accept a lesser role than as a star player. Could he be a viable option on either a young and up-and-coming team in need of some veteran leadership off the bench or as a spot contributor on a championship caliber team? Certainly, but apparently his ego won’t allow it to become a reality.
Although younger, Amare Stoudemire was in a similar situation but worked his butt off from some pretty career threatening injuries to once again become a dominant player in this league. The problem is players like T-Mac, who have basically walked on water after making millions upon millions of dollars for a long period of time tend to lose their drive and desire and become rather comfortable. They then have to search within themselves for the things that got them to basketball’s highest level, except sometimes after so much time coasting, sometimes they find it’s no longer there.
What’s in McGrady’s heart is what matters. His latest comments on his blog, after a week off and watching the NBA Playoffs, T-Mac seems rejuvinated and gives us yet another sense of his future plans and where he may wind up:
“……….now its time for a small break to rest up before I get back to rehab and training. I’m going to work hard all summer long getting ready for next season. I saw a report this morning that I was going to retire, and let me set record straight, I am not retiring. I’ve got more game in me, and you’ll see it on the court next year. Thanks to all my fans for all your support. No matter where I end up next season, I’ll be ready!”
As you can clearly see, he’s set on making a return to his old form for next season. Rumor is that he has hired Tiger Woods’ former trainer, when he had a serious knee injury a few years back. He also has been quoted as saying that he would like to re-unite with family next season, likely referring to cousin Vince Carter in Orlando. In the end, it’s ultimately up to Tracy if he can be on the level with himself if he comes back at all next season.
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
