Tracy McGrady defends work ethic

Tracy McGrady didn't hear about his former coach's criticisms of his practice habits until a reporter asked him about them, but wasn't unnerved or surprised.

Jeff Van Gundy said McGrady had Hall of Fame talent, but that he didn't bring the best effort when the bright lights weren't on. Van Gundy, who coached McGrady in Houston from 2004-07, said, "I just wish I could have changed (McGrady's) practice habits and his mentality."

"It's what, four or five years ago," McGrady said. "Jeff is by far my best coach. I've always said that and still talk to him this day."

McGrady, who has carried teams with less-than-elite talent to the playoffs, feels there's another side to their argument, but kept his cool about the matter.

"Being as I talented as I was and I am, if that's what he saw, I don't have anything negative to say," he said. "I always conserve my energy for games."

After putting in long and hard hours at the gym, where McGrady not only improved his jumper but his body, he's a little more than slightly annoyed at the sentiment all if his success was simply God-given.

"How can you reach that kind of status if you don't work hard?" he said. "That's why I don't have anything to say about those comments."

Like everyone else, he hears commentators refer to talented players like himself, James and Kobe Bryant as if they're superhuman. It's meant to be the most flattering observation, but guys of his ilk don't take it as such.

"That's one thing I heard in my prime, that I made it look too easy," McGrady said, then appearing slightly annoyed. "They don't, and I don't really take that as a compliment. Naw, it's hard. I worked my ass off and if people don't believe that, after all the injuries and things I've been through, they're crazy."