Rockets: McGrady's back spasms showing improvement

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Rockets: McGrady's back spasms showing improvement
by Fanball Staff - Fanball.com
Tuesday, November 8, 2005

News
Rockets guard Tracy McGrady was able to take some jump shots on Monday for the first time since injuring his back last Friday. "It was feeling pretty good," McGrady told the Houston Chronicle. "That's because I did a lot of work before I came up. I did a lot of stretching, and I was loose as I was shooting." After landing awkwardly on a layup attempt during Friday's practice, McGrady suffered through back spasms before being diagnosed with a strained back and bruising around the spine.

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T-Mac is hoping to make enough progress to join the team on the five-game road swing that begins Thursday against the Heat. If he achieves that goal, it could mean the initial timetable of three weeks is reduced. While this is positive news, we remain skeptical that he'll return before late next week at the earliest.

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Tracy McGrady: Back Feeling Better
RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Tuesday, November 8, 2005

Update: After spending the majority of the previous three days "hunched over," McGrady (back) gingerly took jumpers following practice on Monday, the Houston Chronicle reports.

Recommendation: "It was feeling pretty good," McGrady said of his back on Monday. "That's because I did a lot of work before I came up. I did a lot of stretching, and I was loose as I was shooting... When I take breaks, when I'm not moving, it stiffens up on me. This was the first day that I've shot and was able to stand straight up. So it's definitely improvement." McGrady was initially slated to be sidelined for three weeks. But after taking a positive first step on Monday, he said he hopes to get in some jogging Tuesday. McGrady said he knows he needs rest and rehabilitation to get his back ready for action, yet he hopes he will at least be able to make the Rockets' five-game road swing starting on Thursday in Miami. If he is able to travel, McGrady hopes he can return to the starting lineup sooner than expected.