Spurs sign former All-Star Tracy McGrady for playoff run

[daninoz]

Free agent Tracy McGrady has signed a contract to play for the San Antonio Spurs for the rest of the season, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

McGrady, 33, played this season for Qingdao in the Chinese Basketball Association and averaged 25 points a game on 56 percent shooting. He worked out for the Spurs in the late summer before signing in China, but wasn't offered a contract.

With the release of Stephen Jackson and surgery to Boris Diaw, McGrady gives the Spurs some athleticism, scoring and maybe most of all still – an effective passer.

McGrady's letter of clearance arrived from China on Monday, which allowed the Spurs to sign him. Because McGrady wasn't on an NBA roster this season and waived after March 1, he is playoff eligible.

McGrady has averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.21 steals in 32.7 minutes during his 15-year NBA career.

As a Spurs fan, WOW.

[Dc311]

I am not too thrilled about it but I will accept the help.


He will also be wearing number 1.

[Andrew]

I've wondered how the Spurs might fall short in the Playoffs after another impressive regular season, but this has answered the question. T-Mac's presence ensures a first round exit.

In all seriousness, he's a decent pickup. It's not a huge investment, they won't be calling upon him to lead them and he's been alright (if not stellar or spectacular) in his last couple of stops in Detroit and Atlanta. It remains to be seen how much he can help them, but it's not a situation where he can really hurt them.

[Stress Fracture]

I sense he'll be used as a PG.

[shadowgrin]

It feels good to be in the second round.

[_Steve_]

A motivated (and healthy) T-Mac is still an improvement over a lacklustering Captain Jack. I like that move.

[NovU]

I've read about T-mac somewhere(FAs available coming back from China) that despite T-mac's great numbers for his Chinese team, his team suffered to be the worst in the league. Perhaps a team cancer?

I don't think he can crack a rotation even without Captain Jack.

[Andrew]

With a few Spurs banged up, there's probably between 10 and 20 minutes per game to earn.

[Bruce]

It really looks like he will just be scrapping for minutes. Coach Pop loves having veterans at the end of the bench. They should just have gone with Ron Mercer, where the hell is Ron Mercer?

[werewolf914]

It's good. He's quite solid for a bench player and won't cause any trouble in the locker room. I like this.

[NovU]

Shortened rotation = Playoffs

Will Pop have enough time to ease him into a rotation so season-built chemistry isn't affected? Not sure if Pop's gonna risk it. But with a few injuries to his backcourt unit, I guess it isn't really out of possibility.

[Andrew]

where the hell is Ron Mercer?

Pretty much off the map, outside of an arrest in 2007.

[Stress Fracture]

I've read about T-mac somewhere(FAs available coming back from China) that despite T-mac's great numbers for his Chinese team, his team suffered to be the worst in the league. Perhaps a team cancer?

Nah, he was the only one scoring for the Qingdao Eagles. His teammates back there were very inexperienced, hence the 8-24 record.