Reflections on T-Mac

Every so often, I realized that there may be something more difficult than playing at the highest level of the game. I’m reminded that there is something tougher than being an NBA All-Star, yes sir. At the end of the day, you get to go to the gym, put on a uniform, play the game you love, shower, change, then go home.

Try being an endorser.

I got another taste of this when Tracy McGrady of the Houston Rockets was in town for two days, accommodating a whirlwind of activities that would wilt an ordinary human being.

I remember when I interviewed the Houston Rockets guard for the second time before the NBA China Games in October of 2004, he was visibly exhausted before the launch of his T-Mac 4 at the beautiful Shanghai Harbor. It was the first global launch of an atheltic shoe held in China. Of course, he had to show.

Fresh off a 17-hour flight from Philadelphia, scarcely after showering and changing clothes, McGrady was shuttled in a large van to the site of the launch. The problem was that everything the emcee said, he was also translating into Mandarin for the people watching, doubling the length of the proceedings. And at the end of it all, when T-Mac had introduced his shoe, and explained the design (patterned after a European sports car the makers spotted in his garage), he was feeling the fatigue. When asked to play a game of three-on-three against the local Streetballers, he quipped, "You’re looking for T-Mac; he’s back at the hotel. I’m Tracy."

Here in Manila, McGrady was on the third leg of a four-country Asian tour, and just after a hectic weekend of the Asian Streetball Finals in Guangzhou, China. In two days, he made several personal appearances, barely able to reach out of the bubble of security personnel, adidas Asia executives, media and fans who were constantly surrounding him.

On Monday, he stepped off the plane, then proceeded almost directly to his press conference at the Shangri-La in Makati. From there, it was on to media interviews, then the formal launch at the Mall of Asia. After KC Montero, Jay-R, Chynna Hortaleza, Gab Valenciano and the All-Star Dancers entertained the crowd (who braved a sudden downpour just to see him) McGrady talked with Mo Twister. He then shot around with the Holy Child of Davao squad that was cheated of a championship in Guangzhou.

"The game was tied at ten, and the Chinese missed," recounts Purefoods Chunkee Giants head coach Ryan Gregorio, who steered the team to the finals. "We got the rebound, then we were whistled for a foul. They made the free throw and won. Even the crowd was booing. They didn’t mind losing, as long as they didn’t lose face."

"It was a hard-fought game, and they came up a bit short," T-Mac said diplomatically. "So I felt that, with that kind of effort, they should be rewarded. I know what it’s like, so I wanted to surprise them in a big way."

The Davaoeños will now join the team that beat them in a visit to the Houston Rockets. When they were reunited at the Mall of Asia, T-Mac was so delighted, he couldn’t resist doing his trademark dunk, throwing the ball off the glass, jumping up to catch it and slam it home. The roar of the crowd was deafening.

On the second day of his visit, he was up early for a closed-door workout at the adidas SportsKamp, while the Purefoods squad patiently waited outside for their practice to begin. Then he made his scheduled stop to the adidas shop in Glorietta 3, before taking off for Ateneo De Manila and a basketball clinic for underprivileged children. He capped his second day with more one-on-one interviews and a by-invitation-only party at Embassy in The Fort.

I asked him how he felt about constantly being shuttled around, living in a box, just out of reach, and being moved around like a head of state.

"It’s very important to me," Tracy told me. "I understand how many little T-Macs are out there, who wear my shoes and my apparel. And I feel that whenever you’re an accomplished athlete or celebrity or whatever, you should give back. I just want them to have the opportunity to meet me and touch me. Seeing someone in person, as opposed to just on television is two different things."

He also said that the Philippine experience the second time around was unbelievable.

"It’s been awesome," he gushed. "All the love I feel here, everywhere I’ve been. Just stepping off the plane, I’ve been treated like a king. And every time I get that kind of treatment, no matter how tired I am, or what else I have to do, I’ll always make these trips."

And that’s the kind of player who earns a lifetime contract.

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The rest of my one-on-one interview with Tracy McGrady will be on tomorrow’s episode of The Basketball Show at 2 p.m. on RPN 9. The Basketball Show is brought to you by Teletech and Welcoat.