January 26
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
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Tracy McGrady walked off the court at the end of the first quarter Sunday night and did something we haven’t seen in seemingly forever. Here’s to happiness for a thousand, Alex. McGrady flashed a huge smile. Not a forced smile or a fake smile, either. At least it didn’t seem that way. Maybe he was smiling for joy. Maybe he was smiling for relief. With McGrady, it’s impossible to know. His teammates and coaches don’t seem to know him, so the rest of us have no chance. Some like him. Some are ambivalent about him. None really feel close to him. That’s not important. What’s important is that if McGrady is happy and healthy, we still might all go home happy. Wouldn’t it be something if, after ..."
January 13
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
"
If you read between all the nice words, the Rockets sent a tough message to Tracy McGrady on Monday. To summarize: 1. Get in better shape. 2. Learn to deal with the pain in your left knee. 3. Don’t come back until you do. There were all sorts of things left unsaid as the Rockets delicately attempted to do the right thing for the team while not mentally losing their $21-million star. Conditioning? That’s a tough word to use halfway through an NBA season. Is McGrady’s conditioning an issue because he hasn’t been working hard, or because his surgically repaired left knee won’t allow him to work hard? Pain? Another tough one. The Rockets and their medical staff believe McGrady’s knee is sound ..."
January 4
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
"
Tracy McGrady is holding the Rockets hostage. Is that simple enough? There’s no easy answer to this problem. You may think there is, but there’s not. The Rockets already have suggested he take another chunk of time off. He declined, saying he wants to play through the pain in his left knee this time and will take off selected games. So he’s terrible in a loss at Toronto on Friday and didn’t play Saturday night in Atlanta. Sometimes in, sometimes out. Tricky problem for club It’s one thing to be limited by pain. It’s another thing to sulk on the floor. There’s no excuse for McGrady’s behavior Friday. There’s a delicate balance in dealing with a superstar. I can only imagine what coach Rick ..."
December 4
Houston Chronicle
columnist Richard Justice
"
TRACY McGrady can take the rest of the week off or the rest of the month or whatever he needs. No big deal. That guy wearing his uniform hasn’t looked like the real McGrady anyway, and he wasn’t doing anyone any good by continuing to play. McGrady doesn’t have to prove he’s a tough guy. He is. Anyone who thinks otherwise is clueless. Nor does he have to prove anything about how much he cares. He does care. Forget that three-week timetable for allowing his injured left knee to heal. He’ll be back when he’s back. If it’s 10 days, fine. If it’s six weeks, that’s fine, too. The Rockets are good enough to get to the playoffs without him. But they can’t win in the playoffs without him. “We’re ..."