Although I already posted my last McGrady note a while back, I thought the boo vs. not to boo delimma should be addressed. Who cares? Really. I will be at the game tonight. I won't get mad if the guy next to me boos his heart out or if the girl next to me sits quietly. I will get mad if you don't get off your ass and cheer our team.
T-Mac admitting he didn't give his all last year - isn't news to anyone.
Did everyone forget about him threatening to retire? Basketball wasn't fun anymore? He couldn't figure out zone defenses because he didn't play college ball? He doesn't have the supporting cast. Oh, there are a lot of reasons to get upset at McGrady - him leaving is not one. I'm glad. I boo'd during a few games last year - because of a lack of effort. Hell, it happened earlier this year with our current team.
I don't know about other sports or other teams, but I can tell you this. The Orlando crowd thrives on effort. If you come out and play hard (see the 99-00 team), the crowd can get as loud as any I have heard. But, if you come out flat, with no energy or effort - the crowd will boo you off the floor.
As fans, we pay money to watch our team play. We pay money for our favorite players' jersey. Some of us only have cable for the Sunshine channel. We expect something in return. The Magic were going nowhere with McGrady and his attitude. We were a .500 team at best - but it wasn't worth $93 million. We had .500 ball with the "heart and hustle" team.
Our team is better off because of the trade. Not just for the wins we are seeing this year, but because of the effort. I can guarantee there is at least a couple guys every night busting their butt because they like to play basketball and want to win. Steve Francis or Grant Hill may have an off night, or I might ride Hedo Turkoglu cause he isn't knocking down shots like I expect him to - but they play hard every night.
So, should we boo T-Mac when he returns? That's up to you. If you do boo, do it because you want to. Do it because you feel like you need to, if that helps to get over him leaving. Me? I'm going to cheer my team on as loud as ever. I want the W, I don't care about revenge. The record at the end of the year will speak for itself - this game is just another notch on the road to a winning season.
I do have one thing to admit though. I gave less than 100% effort last year. It has taken me a long time to admit it, but I did. I missed a couple road games on TV. I showed up at the O-rena and didn't give 110% effort in cheering on my team. I even boo'd occassionally. I was frustrated with how the season was going. The difference in my lack of effort and T-Mac tanking a game - I come back. I still believe at the beginning of each year. I'm blind to the individual stats or that Patrick Ewing isn't the answer to our center problems. I believe every year that this is going to be our year. Not because I don't look at the stats or know better - but because I start every year off like the 1st one for the past 16 years.
On any given day, any team can beat another team. All it takes is a little effort.
