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Pete's Corner: An Interview with Tracey McGrady
Hi there true believers, it’s your favorite neighborhood Indiana Pacer reporter, Peter Parker. After leaving New York and clearing the cobwebs from my head 
…I decided to take on this sports writer position here in Indiana. And man do these people love their basketball. So much that their beloved Pacers losing season last year, really hurt them…like really. Grown men were crying. The town saw to have coach BigUps’ head on a platter. His coaching skills where highly questioned and the signing of Tracy McGrady at 9 million caused his popularity as GM plummet. Tracy McGrady signed at 9mill….what’s wrong with that. Well after sitting on the bench crippled with injury T-Mac’s value as a player dropped. And in this interview he will even tell you he was surprised when his agent called with the deal. Then he was traded. And the Pacers front office finally had room to breathe.
So why, after all the criticism and all the cynics, is Tracy McGrady back in a Pacers uniform. Lets let the 2 time NBA scoring champion,7 time all-star, 2 time NBA first eam, 3 time NBA 2nd team, 2 time NBA 3rd team, tell you himself....
Pete’s Corner: So tell us Tracy, why are you back in Indiana?
T-Mac: I honestly though my career was over but I really wanted to work with Coach BigUps. Vince, (Cousin Vince Carter) used to call me up when coach Ups was down in New Orleans during his stint in the SGA. And he used to tell me that he had never been happier to play for someone in his whole career. You gotta come to new Orleans bro…is what he would tell me. So when my agent called I was like who Indiana whose the coach. BigUps!!! I’m there. But I was totally shocked when my agent told me that I would be signed at 9 mill. I was like o.k. Then out of the blue I was traded.
Pete’s Corner:
Yeah what was that like down in Orlando?T-Mac:
It was hell. If Coach Ups is the utopia of coaches CBO is the Devil.Pete’s Corner: wow that’s harsh.
T-Mac: Nah it’s just that Ups knows how to bring out the best in a player. We don’t have a legit star on this team yet during practice we all bust our asses for this coach.
Pete’s Corner: So who’s team is it yours or Brooks?
T-Mac: Well if you ask me I’ll tell you Brooks. If you ask brooks he will tell you I am. But if you ask coach Ups he will tell you no one yet. Man it’s amazing the vibe at practice. We all know we are not the best team on paper. However, every day at practice we learn something new about ourselves and coach ups pushes us to realize our potential.
Pete’s Corner: So what can you say is the identity of the Indiana Pacers?
T-Mac: well the vision that Coach Ups has us looking forward to is not yet complete. We have plenty work to do. I have to stay healthy and improve on my consistency, brooks might tell you the same, big Baby has to bring it every single night. but if I had to identify our team, it would be our resilience. Every team that plays us this year better prepare for war. Coach has us delivering a one two punch to with inside power from thorton, and tyrus. While brooks and I work the perimeters. But what will stand out is our defense.
Pete’s Corner: what else is needed to get yall to the championship.
T-Mac: Well right now we are only focus on making the playoffs. There are some true powerhouse teams out there…i.e. Atlanta, Phoenix, even the upstart 76ers (we got their number though) it’s hard to say there is one thing needed. But to get to the playoffs our bench is factored in by coach and staff to be the piece of the puzzle that’s of concern. Our bench must produce consistently day in and day out, in order for us to make the cut. That’s why coach ups brought in young guns Alonzo Gee, Elliot Williams, and Steve Blake. And Veterans like me, Juwan Howard, and Larry Hughes. And the chemistry is coming together very well. No one player could be captain of this team because coach ups has us sold on the team mentality. He tells us that if each one knows their job on the court and execute, the 5 players on the court can cause even the best teams problems.
Pete’s Corner: With all the controversy surrounding you, your inability to be a leader on the court…If asked; would you lead this team to the Promised Land.
T-Mac: Well (putting his head down and rubbing the top) yall know I’m cousin to Vince carter so I don’t have that in me. However, if I’m asked I would step up like never before for a Coach like BigUps.
Pete’s Corner: And finally, what will the fans in Indiana have to look forward to this 2011 2012 TSL season?
T-Mac: It definitely wont be a repeat of last year. That’s a fact. They can look forward to a real exciting season as we have nothing to lose and the world to gain. We are hungry and determined to make this season one of the best in Indiana and in the TSL.
There you have it true believers. T-Mac speaks. Tune in next time as we have 6’10” center Tyrus Thomas in the studio. As we probe whether or not he should be the leader of this leaderless team. Until then excelsior!!!!
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