Ten Years Later
This time around there was no hoopla, no fan fare and certainly no Bennie The Bull to meet Tracy McGrady when he came to Chicago. Back in 2000 McGrady got off a plane at Ohare and was greeted like a conquering hero and said he was dazed and amazed by that. Fast forward to earlier today when the only people that greeted him were a few reporters.
McGrady had an hour workout and was pushed through the paces by trainer Tim Grover and according to McGrady the workout went great. Then he sat down and spoke with us and tackled a lot of topics. As to his health he said he's vastly improved from last season when he was still recuperating from knee surgery. He said the burst and explosion is back. He also answered the querie of could he accept coming in off the bench. He said he could but plans on competing for the starting role. McGrady also said he's not bothered by the persistent rumors that he's a bad locker room guy and that the Bulls wouldn't have brought him in if that was true. He correctly pointed out that he played 3 years with coach Tom Thibideau and that Thibideau knows his real character.
From this reporter's perspective this is a no brainer for the Bulls. If McGrady has truly recovered to be the player he was (and he's just 31) then you can't turn your back on a bonafide talent. You can tell him he can compete for a starting role but he might come off the bench. You can even offer him a non guaranteed contract and see if he believes in himself enough to take a chance. McGrady would be the 12th man signed for the active roster and if delivers like some say he can then this would be a steal.
---
Looking for more than just sports? Check out this photo gallery of one of our daily Score Girls.
[photogallerylink id=23751 align=left]
