Thanks for Everything T-Mac

As the Rockets launched past the upstart Trailblazers last night to earn their first trip into the second round since Hakeem the Dream was patrolling the lane in Houston, what must have been going through walking medical clinic Tracy McGrady's head. Now in his 12th season in the Association, T-Mac, who's you guessed it!, once again out for the season, proved that his subtraction was the Rockets addition. Stifling defense, smart shooting and an unselfish approach, all qualities McGrady has and will never possess, were the squad's tickets to a showdown with the Lakers.

Year in and year out, the Rockets have been touted as the sexy pick to blast into the NBA Finals, and why shouldn't they be, McGrady is an all-world talent, Yao Ming looks up to no one and Houston's role players are some of the best in the league. But with last night's victory, maybe coach Rick Adelman and the Rockets' suits can finally say what has been on the tip of their collective tongue for so long...this team is better without Him.

T-Mac, who jumped straight from high school, came into the league at a time when David Stern was still searching for an air apparent to His Airness. He, along with cousin Vince, Kobe, Grant Hill, A.I. and a host of others were labeled The Next Great Thing. But what all these players (Hill excluded) have in common is that they all represent the NBA of the late 90's...a time when ballhogs ruled the court, winning was optional, ballers went from homeroom to the hardwood, scowls were free and Me came before We. That's why the Commish and NBA's fans like myself are thrilled with the players we see today...CP3, Deron Williams, LeBron, D-Wade, Dwight Howard...all great talents equipped with maturity, marketable personalities and an understanding of what it takes to win.

Notice we don't hear much about MJ's successor anymore. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to be like Mike as much as anyone growing up, but the league should never have been put on hold as we awaited for His Successor. Let the Rockets' berth into the second round be a lesson to all the Diaper Dandies out there that true success is found when a team comes together for a common goal and doesn't rely on one player to light up the scoreboard each night.

Ironically enough, Houston will battle Los Angeles beginning Monday. I wonder if T-Mac will look over at Kobe and wonder if that could have been him. Bryant was one of those carryovers from The Era of Selfishness who at last understood he couldn't do it all himself. Now Number 24 frequently isn't the highest scorer on his team, he allows Lamar Odom to play Scottie Pippen and only dons the Jordan Cape when it fits.

I believe the NBA is in the midst of its Second Golden Age and just like its first which was headlined by Magic, Bird and of course Michael, the name of the game will be team. Those who get it will prosper and be rewarded with jewelry, those like T-Mac who don't, will be left wondering what if.