Spectacular Saturday and Sour Sundays

The first part of the post is dedicated to Tracy Mcgrady. To start this post let me give you a little background information on Tmac. Tracy McGrady was drafted ninth overall by Toronto Raptors in the 1997 NBA draft, he came straight from his Florida high school to the pros. Tmac had a slow start until the 1999-2000 NBA season Tracy had his first breakout year. With cousin Vince Carter the Raptors were a team with some serious young talent. Tracy was then traded to his home state to play with the Orlando Magic and Grant HIll. This is where it all started; with his breakout year Tmac was awarded with his first All-Star trip during the 2000-20001 season. On the Magic Tmac was know for a few things, he is known for impressive achievements such as being the NBA's back to back scoring leader during the 2002-2003 and 2003-2004 seasons. He is also known for his infamous qoute in the first round of the playoff after leading 2-0 against the #1 seed Detroit "how wonderful it is to finally be in the position to advance to the second round (of the playoffs)." This quote would haunt Tmac till this day because he personally has never advanced passed the first round of the playoffs. After Orlando is when Tracy's career started to head down hill. After being traded to Houston in a seven player deal him and newly acquired center Yao Ming were the story line in Houston. After a few seasons of making it to the playoff and loosing in the first round Tmac's back spasms were affecting his game play. He came out and said that he did not think his body had what it takes anymore to be an explosive player in the NBA. While Tmac was on the injured reserve, Houston went on to win their first playoff series since 1997. February 18, 2009 Tracy McGrady announced he will be having knee surgery, and was never the same after that. After a few seasons of missing 15+ games it was said Tracy was coming back healthy. This offseason Tracy McGrady worked out very hard in Chicago with one of the best in the business, trainer Tim Grover. All his hard work led to the recent trade to the New York Knick's and his recent success in New York. Now that you know a little about Tracy Mcgrady, I would like to personally thank Tmac for reminding me what once all the hype was all about. It has been soo long since I have seen Tmac productive that I forgot what he actually played like. Last night was a showing of why Tmac's shoes used to be best sellers, why he was once Adidas biggest client, and why he was a favorite player for kids growing up all over the country. I know that it was only one game, and could end up meaning nothing, but even if Tracy from here on out does not ever have a productive game I am glad to have seen him show what he still still has what it takes to play in the NBA.

Today's Games:
12:00 PM EST #3 Villanova (22-3) (11-2 Big East) at #19 Pittsburgh (20-6) (9-4 Big East): Scottie Reynolds (18.9 ppg, 3.4 apg, 82% FT) and Villanova go on the road to face Pittsburgh for the first time since Scottie Reynolds Elite 8 miracle shot. Although most of the Pitt team that suffered the tough loss is no longer on the team, guard Ashton Gibbs (16.2 ppg, 2.1 apg, 90.2% FT) will try to defend their home court. I'm really not sold on Pitt this year, although they have been playing good. Even with great play out of Ashotn Gibbs I don't think the Panthers have what it takes. Look for Nova to take this tough Big East road game.

12:00 PM EST #9 Ohio State (20-7) (10-4 Big 10) at #11 Michigan State (21-6) (11-3 Big 10): Chicago native Evan Turner (19.5 ppg 5.8 apg 9.2 rpg) go to East Lansing to face Kalin Lucas (15.ppg and 3.9 apg) and the Spartans. Although the Izzone will be jumping I have to go with my home roots and pick Evan Turner and the Buckeyes to take this game on the road.

2:00 PM EST Northwestern (17-9) (6-8 Big 10) at #14 Wisconsin (19-7) (9-5 Big 10): Trevon Hughes ( 15.5 ppg 2.8 apg 4.6 rpg) and the Wisconsin Badgers play way too good at home for Northwestern and guard Jeremy Nash ( 9.1 ppg 3 apg 4.1 rpg) to win this Big 10 game on the road. I know the Wildcats are looking for their first NCAA tournament birth and a win at Wisconsin would be a quality win. I just don't think they have what it takes to beat the badgers at Kohl Center.

1:00 PM EST Cleveland Cavaliers (43-13) at Orlando Magic (37-19): After winning 13 in a row the Cavs look to end their current two game loosing streak. With a miserable game against Charlotte where newly acquired Antwan Jamison went a career worse 0-12, Lebron James (29.9 ppg 8.4 apg 7,1 rpg) come into Orlando to face Dwight Howard (18.4 ppg and 13.4 rpg) and the Magic. Look for the Cavs to take their the season series 3-0 vs Magic in today's Eastern Conference game.

3:30 PM EST Boston Celtics (35-18) at Denver Nuggets (36-19): Paul Pierce (18.2 ppg and 4.6 rpg) face Carmelo Anthony (29.3 ppg and 6.4 rpg) and the Denver Nuggets. Although the Celtics came into the Pepsi Centre and beat the Nuggets without Kevin Garnet, look for the Nuggets to walk away with the win in this one. With the Celtics age on this impressive West coast road trip, I dont think they have what it takes to win their 4th in a row.