McGrady fired up for Rockets
Like Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady still is spending much of his summer in Orlando, even though he will be playing in Houston this season.
If his summer-time routine is any indication, McGrady is approaching the 2004-2005 season with a seriousness that must have the Rockets thrilled.
During the week, he lifts weights in the morning and plays basketball in the afternoon, then goes to a local high school track to run in the evening -- often after dark.
"This is as hard as I've ever worked out in my life,'' he said one night last week on his way home from the track. "But to get to the next level -- which I plan to do -- it's got to be done. I do feel bad for the fans here in Orlando. They're going to miss something really special.''
When McGrady talks of the next level, he isn't referring to anymore scoring titles or all-star appearances or even any All-NBA first-team awards. He's done all those, even though at age 25, he is just entering his physical prime.
He is talking about a championship, which he believes he will win in Houston playing alongside center Yao Ming.
"Coming to Orlando helped me become a star. I'll be forever grateful,'' he said. "But going to Houston -- when we win a championship -- means another level. It will put me in the class with a Kobe Bryant, a guy who has won multiple championships. That's who I'm chasing now. That's who I want to be measured against.''
