By now I imagine most Spurs fans have heard that Tracy McGrady — yes, the Tracy McGrady — has been signed by the San Antonio Spurs for the rest of the season. A few questions:

  • What can T-Mac do with just one regular season game and the playoffs?
  • Does he have any value left and can he make an impact, essentially replacing Stephen Jackson on the roster?
  • Does he have any juice left in those knees?

T-Mac is 33 years old and has played 15 seasons of NBA basketball. He did work out for San Antonio before the season started, but wound up in China. In China, he averaged 25 points while shooting 56% from the field for Qingdao of the CBA this season. Translation: T-Mac is in shape and can still play well (even if against lesser opponents.)

Can McGrady hope to fill Jackson’s role on the Spurs? During the 2011-2012 NBA season, T-Mac averaged 5.3 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in 16.1 minutes over 52 games for Atlanta. This season, Cap’n Jack averaged 6.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 19 minutes over 55 games for San Antonio. Translation: statistically speaking, McGrady and Jackson are essentially the same.

Editor’s note: when you break down T-Mac and Cap’n Jack’s production per 36 minutes, McGrady last year looks a bit better than Jackson this year.

McGrady (2011-2012): 11.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.7 assists
Jackson (2012-2013): 11.4 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists

What kind of impact will McGrady have on a team with a system he is unfamiliar with? T-Mac may have been playing in the minor leagues this season, but he was the featured scorer and star getting run for his team. Hopefully for the Spurs, this will translate into production from the former NBA All Star.

I imagine Coach Pop is gambling on the chance that McGrady can take advantage of one-on-one match-ups against other team’s second and third units. If this translates to an average of more than 6 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game, then the Spurs are better off statistically.

McGrady is a seasoned veteran who can contribute off the bench while searching for those last few opportunities at glory in the NBA.

Will all of this translate into a fifth championship for the San Antonio Spurs? Who knows, but it should be a fun subplot line to follow.

Go Spurs Go.