Tracy McGrady, out since late February after undergoing microfracture surgery on his left knee, said in a radio interview on The Jim Rome Show on Wednesday his injury was "devastating" and caused him to lose passion for Basketball.
During a more than 13-minute interview, the Rockets forward spoke about his rehab, the NBA playoffs and his team's series against the Portland Trail Blazers. When asked by Rome what was driving him, McGrady said trying to prove he's healthy.
"In dealing with the nagging injuries I've dealt with over the last couple of years, it's so frustrating," he said. "I bust my (rear) in the offseason, and I come into training camp in great shape, and this happens.
"I kind of lost the passion a little bit, but I got it back. I'm busting my butt every day to rehab and get myself back to the player I was. I'm changing things up in my training and dieting. I'm motivated."
Eight weeks removed from surgery, McGrady said he recently had his knee brace removed. He can walk without pain and is doing some squatting but said he probably won't start running for a couple months.
"It has been hell," he told Rome. "For me to battle this knee injury for the last two years has been devastating."
Making matters worse, McGrady said, is watching the Rockets try to reach the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1997 and not being able to play.
"Just watching the game, my palms get sweaty," he said. "I would love to be out there."
McGrady, who's expected to be with the team for Game 3 on Friday at Toyota Center, told Rome he thinks the Rockets will beat Portland. He also said he doesn't believe the Cleveland Cavaliers have what it takes to win the NBA championship.
"I'm confident we're going to get past Portland and play the Lakers in the second (round)," McGrady said. "If it's a Lakers-Cavaliers Finals, I don't think they can beat the Lakers. I don't even think they can beat my Rockets in a seven-game series."
brian.mctaggart@chron.com
