HOUSTON, Texas, November 23, 2009 (AFP) - Tracy McGrady returned to practice with Houston on Monday for the first time since microfracture surgery in February, but the seven-time NBA All-Star doesn't know when the Rockets will let him play.

McGrady believes he is ready to compete now, but Rockets coach Rick Adelman has said he's not ready.

The 30-year-old McGrady said he doesn't mind the difference of opinion, but he's irked that people have faulted him for wanting to return.

"I'm ready to play basketball," he said. "Everybody is making a big deal because I say I'm ready and GM and my coach say I'm not ready. Everybody wants to make a big deal that I'm this diva ... It's crazy."

McGrady was to undergo an MRI on his surgically repaired left knee late Monday. He calls the results "irrelevant," but the team want to review them before making any decision on his return.

"It's not going to tell them whether I can play or not," McGrady said.

The Rockets are anxious that McGrady avoid any setbacks by coming back too quickly.

McGrady knows he won't immediately be at his best when he does come back, but says he needs to play to regain his rhythm and consistency.

"I don't care how great of a player you are, if you've been out it takes time," he said. "You've got to play in games to gain your rhythm. As far as getting up and down, and doing things that I couldn't do last year, I'm capable of doing that night in and night out."