Tracy McGrady by Keith Allison
Those of you who weren't producing a giant wine festival might have noticed that the Detroit Pistons signed 31 year-old all star Tracy McGrady. Yesterday, they made it official. Michael Rosenberg writes that the Pistons have nothing to lose with Tracy McGrady:
Pistons president of basketball operations Joe Dumars signed McGrady for $1.35 million, the minimum for a veteran. That makes this low risk to the point of being almost no risk. The Pistons added talent without committing to it. It was a no-brainer for them. They can't mess up their championship chemistry, because they don't have championship chemistry.
What does the Pistons blogosphere think? (and please tell us what YOU think in the comments). Kevin at Detroit Bad Boys agrees that McGrady has injury and 3 pointer jacking issues but says:
The team can't possibly be wedded to the notion that a Hamilton-Prince-Gordon ensemble is going to win basketball games. Otherwise, why even bother with T-Mac? McGrady can plug in easily at the two or the three, and can defend both positions quite well. Plus, if he begins to play well, and the Pistons aren't, the pressure to give him more minutes will be overwhelming. Again, lottery teams don't have logjams. They have holes.
...If nothing else, having an aging superstar whose legacy is on the line gives us fans something to be excited about. It's like a movie, but at matinee pricing.
Charlie Villanueva via Twitter “@TheReal_TMAC It's official, welcome to Detroit Basketball. Doubters will become believers, all will witness your delivery. Let's get this!â€
Honestly guys, I can't find anything positive about this move. ...Right now, this roster has even less balance than it had before. Without another move in mind, or agreed to in principle, this move makes absolutely 0 sense. The guy is a talented player, in 2003. Right now, he's just going to eat minutes from guys who need them to get experience and/or he's taking up a roster spot from a big man who the team so desperately needs.
Eric at SlamOnline (includes a cool highlight video):
It doesn't matter what point they are at in their careers, it never seems to work. The trend stays the same: Superstars just can't play in the Motor City. Bob McAdoo tanked. Allen Iverson quit.
It's because players are supposed to become stars in the D. Isiah Thomas set the tone. Jerry Stackhouse lit up the League. Chauncey Billups was sculpted into one of the best floor generals of his era.
Here's the Pistons Eli Zaret on Pistons Insider talking with T-Mac.
Post a Comment