Rockets' guard Tracy McGrady isn't a lock to be on the floor for the team when the 2008-09 season kicks off in a little more than a week.

"What?s most important is to be healthy toward the end of the season," McGrady said Saturday. "If I?m not ready to go in the first couple of games, then that?s just the way it is. This is something you can?t rush. I would like to be out there with my team come the 29th. But, you know, if things don?t go right, then I can?t be out there."

McGrady has played just twelve minutes of preseason action so far and is suffering from both knee and shoulder issues.

He played the entire first quarter against Boston eight days ago, scoring 10 points.

"I just wanted to see where I was at," McGrady said. "Obviously, I was a little bit behind where I wanted to be. That?s why everybody got on the same page, meaning the doctors, the trainers and the coaches. It?s best for me to just rehab and strengthen my leg."