by Marcel Mutoni / @ marcel_mutoni
With Stephen Jackson no longer gainfully employed, the San Antonio Spurs surprised everyone by plucking 33-year old Tracy McGrady out of China.
McGrady is certainly grateful for a chance to get past the First Round of the NBA Playoffs for the first time in his career, but Tracy admits that he’s not sure how much he’s got left in the tank.
Per ESPN and the Express-News:
Asked how much he can contribute to the Spurs, who recently released Stephen Jackson, McGrady was humble. “I guess that’s the unknown,” he said. “Whatever happens, I’m just glad to be a part of this environment,” McGrady said via text. “[It’s] something I never experienced while being my best!”
“This is unbelievable,” said McGrady. “It’s a championship organization, something I haven’t really been part of my entire career. I’m very excited. I’m humbled for the opportunity. I’m not sure when I’ll play or if I’ll play. That’s not the place for me (to complain). I just know when my number is called, I’ll be ready.” […] “I feel good, I feel real good,” he said. “It took a few years after my surgery to get back to feeling healthy. It was more getting past the mental block. I’m not as quick as I used to be. I’ve slowed down. Just glad to be here.”
The San Antonio Spurs are dealing with injuries to some key players with the postseason just around the corner, and they know that inking Tracy McGrady now is a low-risk move.
T-Mac last played in the NBA during the 2011-12 season, posting averages of 5.3 points in 16.1 minutes per game for the Atlanta Hawks. He did a lot better in the Chinese Basketball Association this year — the former All-Star put up 25 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 29 games for the Qingdao Eagles.
