Pistons' Tracy McGrady has fallen short of potential due to questionable work ethic, former coach says

"Tracy McGrady was 1,000 hours of practice," Van Gundy said in an article on SI.com. "He should be a Hall of Fame player. His talent was other-worldly. He was given a great leg up in the race against other players. He’s as close as I’ve ever seen to someone with a perfect body and a good mind."

Van Gundy also said McGrady was the "most gifted player I've ever had on a roster."

“I like a lot of things about Tracy McGrady," he said. "I just wish I could have changed his practice habits and his mentality.”

Kuester was asked Friday following practice why McGrady has not been playing.

“The energy that the guys had in that Utah game, I wanted to stay with them and some of the other guys that had good practices during that time,” Kuester said. “We cleaned the slate. We're trying to say, 'Hey, listen, bring it every day.' …

“We've got to get better. Everybody's got to get better, and everybody's got to make that commitment.”

McGrady seems less than thrilled with the current situation. He answered questions from followers on Twitter early Friday night.

In response to a follower who asked him how it feels to play with the Pistons, McGrady responded: "Looks like I'm (a) day late and dollar short."

Another follower asked what he thinks of his coach. "He's trying," McGrady wrote. "Losing breeds dysfunction. We're all in it together though."

He did say he would consider staying with the Pistons past this season, but also responded to someone who suggested he should finish his career in Chicago with: "That would be a good look."