Vincent Goodwill
The Detroit News
Auburn Hills -- Tracy McGrady, true to his word, participated in a Pistons practice for the first time in nearly three weeks Sunday.
McGrady, who hasn't played since the exhibition opener against Miami, had said he would be ready for the regular-season opener, even if he didn't practice. Pistons coach John Kuester said he wouldn't play the seven-time all-star without seeing him go through real practices.
So there McGrady was, no longer on the sideline working with strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander, but on the floor, playing with and learning how to fit in with his teammates.
He said he felt like the skinny rookie with braces who played for the Toronto Raptors in 1999, when he was drafted out of high school.
"I got a chance to go up and down, I feel pretty good," McGrady said. "It was a good day."Monday will be a true gauge of where McGrady's body is, having to go through back-to-back practices. After undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee during the 2008-09 season, it has been a long road back. A road McGrady admits has had a few missteps and regrets.
"You're one of the elite players in this league and you have to prove to doubters wrong who think you can't play anymore," McGrady said. "I look back and wish I would've sat my (blank) down for two years and let my body get in shape."McGrady said he felt like he lost his trademark explosiveness, a big reason why he chose to sit out the remainder of the exhibition season. That attribute is usually the last thing to come after microfracture surgery, and only Amare Stoudemire of the Knicks looks like the player he was pre-surgery.
"Working with Arnie has been a blessing through the preseason," McGrady said. "Once I'm back, I'm going full-steam ahead,"McGrady said it was his competitive nature, not stubbornness, that made him push himself through the two-a-days in the first week of training camp"I was so eager to get back, I missed the competition," McGrady said. "This is my job and when I'm not doing it, I feel empty inside."Kuester, who has the task of weaving McGrady into an already-crowded perimeter rotation, welcomes having a player of McGrady's ability in the fold.
"Tracy did a nice job, we had a brisk practice," Kuester said. "He had a good practice, he played with intelligence, he can pick things up easier."
Slam dunk
Ben Gordon , who hurt his shoulder in the final exhibition game, did not practice. Will Bynum and Jason Maxiell were back after missing the final two exhibition games. Forward Chris Wilcox did some light work, but no contact.
Oct. 25, 2010
