McGrady Expects Return to Elite Status

Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady guarantees he will return to the Rockets for the 2009-2010 season and that he will be a major factor.

McGrady had microfracture surgery five months ago on his left knee and there is speculation he would miss most of, if not all of the upcoming season, and that his career could be in jeopardy.

McGrady spoke with FOX 26 Sports from Chicago where he is working out.

"It's really no comparison to how I feel now and I how felt trying to play all of last season," McGrady said. "My knee is feeling extremely strong. The most important thing is I'm confident in it. You guys just stay tuned. I'm out here grinding in Chicago, trying to get back right, but yes I will be playing for the Rockets in the '09-10 season.

"I will be in uniform for the Rockets this upcoming season, I guarantee you that, and I will be a lot better than I was last year. I will be back to the player that I once was.

"I will guarantee you that."

McGrady doesn't know when he will rejoin the Rockets, but he believes it'll be sooner rather than later.

"I'm not really worrying about a target date right now," McGrady said. The most important thing is just to get myself healthy, which I'm confident that I will be for this upcoming season.

"I feel that if I go out there right now I could get somebody 30 (points)."

McGrady truly believes that because of the surgery, combined with his workout regimen, he can be better than ever.

"You define a guy's character when something goes bad for that player and you can really tell if he really wants it or not," McGrady said. "This could have been a make or break year for me.

"I could have easily laid it down and called it a career, but no I'm not finished. I've got some unfinished business. I will not go out like this.

"I'm just eager to get back and show my fans that I will come back as the T-Mac that they are used to seeing."

To reach those goals McGrady has hired trainer Tim Grover of Chicago-based Attack Athletics. Grover, who is affiliated with many athletes, also works with the Lakers Kobe Bryant. He has also worked extensively with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen.

"Tim has done a great job motivating me," McGrady said. "Keeping me in the gym and getting my knee stronger, doing all the right things and taking all the right steps forward to get me back to where I need to be."

Grover is thrilled at McGrady's progress.

"He has all the components to come back from this type of injury and to be extremely successful, not just partially successful," Grover said. "Our goal isn't just to get him back wearing a Rockets' uniform. Our goal is for him to be again one of the elite players in the league."

McGrady has heard the speculation he could be traded and could care less.

"It's just been rumors," McGrady said. "I've been contacting (Rockets General Manager) Daryl (Morey) and those guys over at the Rockets organization. When things are bad everybody wants to speculate and throw rumors out there.

"I've been in this league too long to know that it's all BS. As long as I'm in contact with those guys upstairs I know what's going on. I don't even worry about what the media puts out there.

"My job is to get myself back together and stay true to the Rockets organization and have that line of great communication. We really know what's going on."

While McGrady works toward regaining his status as one of the elite players in the NBA, he has partnered with a new business venture that will allow his fans to follow his journey back to the basketball court.

The venture is a new website called skillzlab.com which launches Monday where McGrady will be referred to as Professor McGrady.

"I'm Professor McGrady in my lab," McGrady said. "What I do I teach mental preparation, strength and conditioning, things that I know about the game of basketball and what it takes to be a professional athlete.

"President Obama really challenged our nation to empower our community. This is one of the ways I felt like I could do it. I feel like a virtual mentor.

"No matter where I am, in the states or out of the country, all I have to do is have my laptop and just click on and be a mentor to my labbers that are a part of skillzlab."

Skillzlab.com consultant Mark Smith said working with McGrady was a natural move for the website.

"The website is a new, unique offering that brings virtual mentors, like Tracy, all-stars, who can bring their life experience and help our members of our community develop new skills to be able to excel in what ever field they choose.

"We're using athletics as a platform because we have access to someone as fantastic as Professor McGrady and then we'll look to branch out into entertainment, business, education you name it.

"If you want to learn a new skill you can come to skillzlab.com."