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T-Mac ‘always available’ when Yao calls
TRACY McGrady says he is always available whenever former Houston Rockets teammate Yao Ming calls him, seeking help to further the development of Chinese basketball.
“If Yao, or any CBA team wants to get involved in any cooperation, I’ll be very willing to do so,” the retired two-time NBA scoring champion told a press conference in Shanghai over the weekend.
McGrady, nicknamed T-Mac, is in Shanghai for the last stop of the T-Mac All-Star Series. His American all-star team will play against local side Shanghai Sharks at Pudong’s Yuanshen Stadium on Friday.
The tour, which began on July 5, is probably McGrady’s last China tour as a professional. It has already visited 14 cities before coming to Yao’s hometown.
“Shanghai is a beautiful city. Having been a teammate with Yao for six years, it’s meaningful to spend some time with Yao on the last stop of the tour,” he said.
A favorite of Chinese fans, McGrady played for CBA side Qingdao Eagles in the 2012-13 season. He later announced his retirement from the NBA in 2013.
“There are no regrets in my career,” the 36-year-old said. “Actually, it’s a late retirement considering my knee injury. I’m pretty contented with my career and where I am.”
The previous stops of the China tour covered Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Hunan, Hubei, and Heilongjiang provinces as well as the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. McGrady played for 30-plus minutes in nearly all the games.
“It’s extremely tough. I can feel it the next day (of each game). But the fans are happy, and I can also feel that.”
McGrady revealed that there would be a small retirement ceremony for him after the Shanghai game. But he already has some post-retirement plans: To help set up a Chinese grassroots basketball training camp and establish a commercial brand with his name. “Chinese fans are the most loyal fans, probably in the world for me. That’s why I’m very passionate about the China tour,” the American conceded.
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