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McGrady back as U.S. readies for semifinalsTracy McGrady said it would take a miracle. What it really took was rest and therapy. After missing three full games of the Olympic qualifying tournament with a sore lower back, the Orlando Magic star was - no pun intended - back last night. With McGrady returned to the U.S. National Team's starting lineup, the Americans rolled past Puerto Rico, 91-65, setting the stage for tomorrow night's rematch in the semifinals. McGrady had six points and two rebounds in a little more than 17 minutes, and showed no ill effects of what has been a recurring problem. Canada faces Argentina in the other semifinal tomorrow night. The two winners advance to Sunday night's gold-medal game and earn berths in next summer's Olympics in Athens, Greece, as does the winner of Sunday night's bronze-medal game. McGrady decided Wednesday night that he would play last night. He told the coaches at breakfast yesterday. A miracle? Not exactly. "Just going through the treatment every day, resting my back," McGrady said. "I felt if I could find the treatment I get in Orlando, I'd be fine by the end of the week. It healed up quickly. [Wednesday night] it felt pretty good when I stretched. And it felt good when I worked out." Orlando Magic, General Basketball Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets T-Mac will miss rest of tourneyNot the back, T-Mac. Not again. Although Orlando Magic officials don't seem overly concerned about star Tracy McGrady's injured back, he won't play any more games with the USA team at the Olympic qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico. Magic Coach Doc Rivers said Tuesday that McGrady "thought about coming home to Orlando" but instead will stay and support the U.S. squad. "He's not playing anymore as a precaution," Rivers said by cell phone from Puerto Rico. "He'll be fine with rest. Tracy's making the right decision." Rivers said McGrady, who has struggled with back problems off and on since the preseason of 2001, has been stricken with back spasms, although Team USA listed his injury as a back sprain. McGrady, Team USA's top scorer at 14.5 points per game, rested at the club's hotel as the Americans beat Canada on Monday night. "There's nothing I can do right now," McGrady told reporters Tuesday before Team USA defeated Argentina 94-86. "The best thing is to get my strength back and rest. If I continue to play, it's just going to make matters worse." McGrady left the door open to play later in the week, but that isn't likely, especially with Rivers and General Manager John Gabriel in San Juan monitoring his health. Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Stiff back sidelines McGradyTracy McGrady was down for last night. But he's not expected out of the Olympic qualifying tournament for the U.S. McGrady, Team USA's top scorer at 14.5 points, did not accompany the team to last night's game with Canada because of stiffness in his back, choosing instead to rest at the team hotel. That prompted an early rumor that McGrady was out for the rest of the tournament. Figure he's day-to-day. "I think he'll play again in the tournament. At least I hope he does," said McGrady's regular-season coach with the Magic, Doc Rivers, who claimed he had no reservations about McGrady playing - assuming he's healthy. "Obviously, we're concerned. He has a history with the back. Anyone with a back problem knows how painful it can playing here." Rivers said he felt very confident with Tim Walsh, the Nets trainer, on the medical staff. Walsh was the Magic's trainer for three years. "It really helps ease my mind that Tim is here," Rivers said. "I have 100 percent faith in him that he will make the right call about Tracy." Vince Carter, the team's No. 2 scorer, started for McGrady and scored 16 points. "I had to start a stiff like Vince Carter. We have so much depth," said Larry Brown, stressing he was joking. General Basketball, Orlando Magic Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Magic Aug 2003 Archive
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