Chuck Hayes Is Not a Closer

by Brett Edwards

I saw this little tidbit in the Houston Chronicle today about Tracy McGrady discussing his recommendations for improving the Rockets next season. T-Mac is usually very politically correct in his responses to these types of questions, but since, you know, "it's on him" to get out of the first round, I guess he feels the need to be a little more vocal in his suggestions.

I have no problem with T-Mac telling us what he feels are the team's weaknesses. I do, however, have a problem with the reporter saying that T-Mac is "throwing a teammate under the bus." Here's the excerpt:

I sometimes get the feeling Tracy McGrady says what he thinks he's supposed to say instead of what he actually believes. On Monday, some truth slipped out.

At least I think that's what happened. I actually have no idea why he'd throw a teammate under the bus the way he did. Maybe that's his definition of leadership.

It happened when McGrady was asked one of those routine questions about what the Rockets could do to improve. He could have said a dozen different things that would have offended no one. He could even have said that he needed to get better.

Instead, he pointed a finger at perhaps the hardest-working, most decent player on the team — power forward Chuck Hayes.

"I think we've got to add a couple of pieces to our team — athleticism at the four (power forward) position," he said.

Ouch.

After reading the reporter's reactions to T-Mac's comments, I couldn't help but be reminded of some quotes from one of my favorite movies of all time, "Glengarry Glen Ross." I mean, as Dave Moss would say, "What is this, courtesy class? You're fucked, Rick. Are you fuckin' nuts?!" Don't ask McGrady his opinions on personnel if you don't want to hear how he'd change the team.

And what does the fact that Hayes is "the hardest-working, most decent player on the team" have to do with his ability to play basketball and help the Rockets in the playoffs? As my man Blake would say:

"Nice guy? I don't give a shit. Good father? FUCK YOU, go home and play with your kids. You wanna work here, CLOSE!"

And Chuck Hayes, my friends, is not a closer. In Game 7 against Utah, he started, played 28 minutes, and chipped in a whopping 4 points and two rebounds. "Your name's [Hayes]? You call yourself a [basketball player] you sonofabitch?" T-Mac certainly doesn't, which is why replacing him as the starting power forward is at the top of his off-season wish list.

Comments

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More like athleticism at every single position on the floor. These Rockets are sloooow. Dikembe and Yao at the five, Chuck Hayes and the ancient Juwan Howard at the four, Shane Battier isn't fast at the three, and Rafer isn't my favorite point guard to push the tempo. These guys need an extreme makeover.

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