From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: McFade-y: Star silent when Utah pulls away
The numbers that NBA fans will probably remember the most this offseason about McGrady are zero and 7, as in his 0-7 personal record in playoff series. He had glowing statistics and a spectacular first half in Game 6, but McGrady didn't help his reputation as a first-round flop.
Not that it will cause him much stress this summer.
"Not really," was McGrady's response when asked if his 0-7 playoff series record will weigh on him. "It is what it is. I'd say out of those seven, I've probably been favored to win one time. It doesn't really bother me. I'm eager to get out (of the first round), but I'm not going to let it hold me back. Not at all."
McGrady showed his eagerness to advance past the first round for the first time in the first half of Friday's game. He set a Jazz opponent playoff high for points in a half, as he poured in 28. He shot 10-for-16 and grabbed seven rebounds. He had Houston in position to extend the series to seven games, and to get another shot at advancing past the first round of the playoffs for the first time.
The Rockets rallied from a 19-point deficit in the second quarter to get within one point before halftime. It was a stirring comeback that no doubt left the 19,911 fans at EnergySolutions Arena nervous at halftime.
But McGrady and the rest of the Rockets faded after the break. They shot just 18 percent (4-for-22) from the field in the third quarter. They scored 11 points in the third, the fewest they scored in any quarter in the Western Conference first-round playoff series. McGrady didn't score in the second half until he sank a free throw with 10:49 left in the game.
By then, the Jazz had built a 26-point lead, their largest of the game, and Utah fans were already thinking about their Western Conference semifinal matchup against the Lakers.
Despite their second-quarter comeback, the Rockets' chances to win Game 6 seemed almost doomed from the start. Dikembe Mutombo picked up his second foul less than three minutes into the contest. And Alston left the game for good with 5:10 left in the second quarter with a badly sprained right ankle.
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com
Recent comments
get ready LA u have flopers coming to town o and OKUR does= ugly
JAZZ suck | May 6, 2008 at 12:21 a.m.
t-mac you did great you are a under rated player who
takes all the...
immyj bush | May 4, 2008 at 7:48 p.m.
Time for the WNBA.
He score 40, but his points came when the Jazz...
McLady | May 3, 2008 at 11:26 p.m.
- Find my family exploits 6:20 p.m.
- Will Oprah Winfrey fade away? 6:20 p.m.
- BYU stadium example of grass care 6:20 p.m.
- Architect is valuable when bidding 6:20 p.m.
- Lightning edge Thrashers in OT 6:19 p.m.
- 'Scroogenomics': Cut back Christmas 6:19 p.m.
- Moment of thanks at gas station 6:19 p.m.
- Single mom overwhelmed by kids 6:19 p.m.
- Knitting projects for holiday gifts 6:19 p.m.
- 'Best of us' reality shouldn't win 6:19 p.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Wendover airfield's legacy lost?
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
200 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
179 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
178 - BYU records with win
127 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
125 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
The Utah basketball team expected to win Saturday night, but not like this.
Real Salt Lake fans have watched first hand the evolution of Jason Kreis...
will be decided by Byu's Rudy Defensive Backs. I'm betting that David Reed...
it would be awsome to watch !! a match made in in EGO-HEAVEN
I am a BYU fan so I am not exactly complaining, but can someone tell me why...
The purpose of religious law is to get us back to God. The purpose of...
for president 2012 LOL LOL i'd love to see it on a bumper sticker **...
Dems are at odds with the whole idea of what is best for the USA. Something...
until you play the Utes this weekend. Then it will only be fun for the Utes D.
lighten up. do you not have any humor? good article.
I was on the edge of my seat last year during the playoffs. That would so...
I am glad I got to be a part of a game that will go down in history. Even...


