Former Magic star admits he 'slacked off'
BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- This might not come as a newsflash to Magic fans who endured last year's dreadful 21-61 season, but former Orlando guard Tracy McGrady is admitting now that he didn't always play hard.
In a feature story in this week's Sports Illustrated, McGrady admitted that he was so defeated mentally by the losing that "some nights I did slack off" and also "I'm not going to sit here and say I played my hardest every night." McGrady said he did not trust his teammates on last season's team and that part of his motivation in leading the NBA in scoring was to protect his image as one of the league's elite players.
"Some nights I did slack off -- and I knew that was a terrible thing to do -- and I still was slacking off," McGrady told SI. "That feels so bad. And I'm the leader, these guys are following my lead, so the whole team suffers even worse. That was wrong Now, I would do it differently. I learned. I have to bust my butt no matter what. Last year was the worst experience of my life. And I learned. And believe me, I'm grateful for this opportunity here."
By here, McGrady is referring to Houston, where he was traded to the Rockets along with Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines on June 29. The Magic acquired Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in the deal.
The Magic started last season 1-19 and never recovered. McGrady still managed to lead the NBA in scoring a second consecutive season, averaging 28 points a game with a 62-point effort against Washington. He demanded a trade in the offseason, and was ultimately shipped to Houston.
"It's all about how you handle the situation," McGrady said. "Last year I lead the league in scoring. If I had been on a bad team and had a bad year statistically, then you would have seen my image collapse. I had to lead the league (in scoring)."
BY JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- This might not come as a newsflash to Magic fans who endured last year's dreadful 21-61 season, but former Orlando guard Tracy McGrady is admitting now that he didn't always play hard.
In a feature story in this week's Sports Illustrated, McGrady admitted that he was so defeated mentally by the losing that "some nights I did slack off" and also "I'm not going to sit here and say I played my hardest every night." McGrady said he did not trust his teammates on last season's team and that part of his motivation in leading the NBA in scoring was to protect his image as one of the league's elite players.
"Some nights I did slack off -- and I knew that was a terrible thing to do -- and I still was slacking off," McGrady told SI. "That feels so bad. And I'm the leader, these guys are following my lead, so the whole team suffers even worse. That was wrong Now, I would do it differently. I learned. I have to bust my butt no matter what. Last year was the worst experience of my life. And I learned. And believe me, I'm grateful for this opportunity here."
By here, McGrady is referring to Houston, where he was traded to the Rockets along with Juwan Howard, Tyronn Lue and Reece Gaines on June 29. The Magic acquired Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato in the deal.
The Magic started last season 1-19 and never recovered. McGrady still managed to lead the NBA in scoring a second consecutive season, averaging 28 points a game with a 62-point effort against Washington. He demanded a trade in the offseason, and was ultimately shipped to Houston.
"It's all about how you handle the situation," McGrady said. "Last year I lead the league in scoring. If I had been on a bad team and had a bad year statistically, then you would have seen my image collapse. I had to lead the league (in scoring)."
Davis upset by McGrady's lack of effort comments
JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- Johnny Davis was the coach who worked the closest with Tracy McGrady during his four seasons in Orlando, helping transform him from a player filled with enormous potential to one of the NBA's elite stars.
So, for Davis to hear now that McGrady is admitting that he "slacked off" last season when the Magic slumped to a disastrous 21-61 record, the Orlando head coach is personally hurt by those statements.
"For someone to say they didn't give full effort, that's really disappointing," said Davis, who often worked personally with McGrady after practice sessions. "Saying you didn't play well is one thing. But not giving effort is inexcusable."
McGrady admitted to Sports Illustrated that he didn't always play with maximum effort last season and that he chased the scoring title only to protect his image around the league. McGrady was traded to Houston in June in a seven-player blockbuster deal.
"I like Tracy and wish him well in Houston because underneath everything he's a good kid," Davis said. "But he shouldn't even think that way (about the scoring title). It's foreign to everything that you're supposed to think about.
"When he says that sort of thing there's no amount of money or anything that can ever repair your character again. What he is basically saying is, 'I don't care.' I think highly of Tracy, but it's just sad to hear those types of comments."
Asked if he had read the article in which McGrady said he didn't always play hard, Magic general manger John Weisbrod cracked, "This just in, huh?"
JOHN DENTON
FLORIDA TODAY
ORLANDO -- Johnny Davis was the coach who worked the closest with Tracy McGrady during his four seasons in Orlando, helping transform him from a player filled with enormous potential to one of the NBA's elite stars.
So, for Davis to hear now that McGrady is admitting that he "slacked off" last season when the Magic slumped to a disastrous 21-61 record, the Orlando head coach is personally hurt by those statements.
"For someone to say they didn't give full effort, that's really disappointing," said Davis, who often worked personally with McGrady after practice sessions. "Saying you didn't play well is one thing. But not giving effort is inexcusable."
McGrady admitted to Sports Illustrated that he didn't always play with maximum effort last season and that he chased the scoring title only to protect his image around the league. McGrady was traded to Houston in June in a seven-player blockbuster deal.
"I like Tracy and wish him well in Houston because underneath everything he's a good kid," Davis said. "But he shouldn't even think that way (about the scoring title). It's foreign to everything that you're supposed to think about.
"When he says that sort of thing there's no amount of money or anything that can ever repair your character again. What he is basically saying is, 'I don't care.' I think highly of Tracy, but it's just sad to hear those types of comments."
Asked if he had read the article in which McGrady said he didn't always play hard, Magic general manger John Weisbrod cracked, "This just in, huh?"
I'd REALLY love to hear how this is going to be spun. I REALLY want to hear guys who said "Oh, he's just doing that because he wants to win" when in reality, getting his teamates involved meant NOTHING to him. I REALLY want to hear guys justify this with "Oh he just LOOKS like he doesn't care..its his lazy eye, thats all". But most of all, I'm looking forward to the laundry list of Kobe's faults that will inevitably be brought up...like Kobe's issues somehow vindicate McGrady...
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