He's always proven to be a gracious star and his teammates tend to love him for it.

But after the way the Houston Rockets' training camp began this week, you have to wonder.

Is he the guy that blows out somebody else's birthday candles?

Will he walk in on a roommate who happens to be alone with the girl of his dreams for the first time?

How many times has he ratted out a Christmas gift?

There's no other way to explain what came out of his mouth on media day with the Rockets this week. Keep in mind these are the same Rockets, who on the heels of their surprising 22-game winning streak last season, welcome the healthy return of Yao Ming and have added Ron Artest to slip into the conversation when it comes to favorites in the NBA's Wild West.

And then McGrady responded to a question about his health with a diatribe about his body that was the ultimate buzz-kill. The arthritic left shoulder will need surgery after the season. The surgically repaired knee still hurts. That's before he even got to his chronic back.

Geez, you'd think he was seeking sympathy even if we didn't know better. That's not to say his candor isn't appreciated. It's a big part of what's lovable about him. But they don't need this. The Rockets have been trying to find some semblance of ballast after failing to meet expectations year after year. With McGrady unfurling his litany of physical concerns into the night, it does nothing for the confidence of the team.

Undoubtedly, that is the real issue here. Despite his glowing statistics, and his fabulous play down the stretch last season after Yao again went down with a broken foot, he's got to be the rock of stability. Yes, it's true you can't change your personality. To be sure, T-Mac's personality is to say what's on his mind and stand by it. However, he also could have said, "I'm still getting my strength back, but by the time the season starts I'll be 100 percent."

Would that have been stretching the truth, or is his "off-shoulder" too much of a problem to play at 100 percent?

Is his knee still enough of a concern to take another look, or does the leg just need to regain its strength?

And what about the back?

The thing is, he's not just a precocious kid anymore. McGrady is 29 and incredibly enough in his 12th season in the NBA. He knows better. He knows that until he takes his team deep into the playoffs, his toughness will be questioned. So if he starts whining about maladies before camp even starts, what's everybody to think?

Granted, this team is better equipped now to be serious contenders, provided Yao and McGrady stay healthy of course. Rick Adelman certainly has proven to be the right mix of theory and experience to help them get to that next level, and was a legitimate coach-of-the-year candidate last season. They've got some depth, and toughness up front, and a slew of guards who are trying to figure out what it takes to be the guy running the show. Mercurial Rafer Alston even might have figured out how to be a steady point guard.