T-Mac | The Story Behind Tracy McGrady

Few players in NBA history have had as much god-given talent as he did. A 6-foot-9 athletic anomaly who could handle the rock, shoot from deep and take it to the rack with ferocity. His hall of fame career is filled with iconic moments, including buzzer-beaters, posters and killer crossovers. Yet, he’s oftentimes overlooked when discussing the greatest players of all-time.
Injuries and downright bad luck ultimately left him without an NBA ring, making him one of the NBA’s biggest “What if” stories. But he’ll always hold a special place in the hearts of those fans who got to witness him ball out.
Written and Narrated by: Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni | Twitter)
Produced and Edited by: Andrew Bartlett (@andrewnsb | Instagram)
Thumbnail Design by: Justin Shipley (@shipleysportstudio | Instagram)
Courtesy List: pastebin.com/smNbjUSw
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#TracyMcGrady #TMac #NBA

[@quepasamrmasa3133]

I still remember those 13 points in 30 seconds vividly and the feeling of being shocked at what had just happened.

[@rezhaadriantanuharja3389]

The one in a meaningless regular season game?

[@Thought.You.Had.A.Friend_74]

Me too, was watching!! Man was IN INVINCIBLE MODE!!

[@DNAATWINS17]

Yeah, I remember that. He was killing my Spurs. T-Mac was phenomenal hands down.

[@dave_407]

Other than the malice at the palace, Tmac’s 13 points in 35 seconds was the craziest shit I’ve ever seen on live tv. I loved that guy. Wish he woulda had better luck

[@johnmcm7690]

It's not luck. Decisions decide wins as much talent. Tmac chose money lebron chose talent and we judge them both accordingly.

[@dave_407]

@@johnmcm7690 that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. Tmac chose to play with Grant Hill, and then Grant was injured 90% of the time. Then in Houston him and Yao took turns being injured. You act like Lebron never signed a max deal for one year with a player option on the 2nd year so he could opt out and completely maximize the amount he could make under the CBA salary cap rules

[@dave_407]

Yeah that’s what I thought no response

[@aimwrld3970]

@@johnmcm7690 no that’s not true at all are you kidding me

[@DNAATWINS17]

@@dave_407 just imagine Tim Duncan playing for Orlando. That would be an interesting duel. You can thank Doc Rivers for declining TD.

[@iainbrewin]

I shed a tear thinking of what the Raptors could have become with Carter and McGrady together for a longer period of time!

[@d.luvevo711]

Or if Grant Hill just stayed healthy

[@keithsimms8454]

Yea both

[@SeanNg__n]

or if the magic didnt fumble the bag with timmy D

[@181cameron]

If they stayed together, Vancouver would still have the grizzlies, and there would be a team in either Calgary or Montreal.

[@SeanNg__n]

@@181cameron could seattle have moved to calgary or montreal instead of OKC?

[@markreyna4209]

Watching TMac wanting to cry when he found Doc Rivers ruined the chance of getting Tim Duncan. Man, you can see the pain! Tim and TMac would of been unstoppable!

[@09lowkey]

Gotta respect T-Mac. He was truly Kobe's only contemporary. But Kobe had the teammates, and when T-Mac did, there were always injury issues. But as far as play style, position, and flair, T-Mac was the only player on Kobe's level in the early-mid 00s. I really wished he would've got that ring with the Spurs, it would've been poetic justice. Sorta a consolation prize for all he'd given to the game up to that point.

[@hunterjordan4327]

T-Mac is built better than Kobe.

[@ogchocolate93]

I remember them Orlando and Houston years. That man was COLD. 🥶 Everybody was talking about Kobe (r.i.p.) but T-Mac stood out more to me. Vince Carter and Iverson after that. #underratedlegend

[@musikkluvelectrobanger]

💯

[@alllivesmatter3561]

Same. He was better than Kobe in his prime. Pait him with shaq in his prime and they win 3+ rings too.

[@carlwallace1129]

@@alllivesmatter3561 indeed

[@carlwallace1129]

TMac was a more willing and slicker passer than kobe which would have made a difference if TMac had stayed more healthy in his prime because he was a raw scorer off the dribble with deeper shooting touch and range more then kobe in his prime .

[@TheProtagonistDies]

Thank you TMac for all you've done for Houston 🚀

[@drewhiz7334]

I was in Jr. HS when discovering him in Toronto and I immediately thought to myself, "I want to ball out like him". Since then, I've stolen his "game" and finally had a chance to utilize it when balling in the Navy in 02 - 05. Took me a while before making the team to apply it, but it was done. Everyone was doing Kobe (RIP) or A.I. moves, but I was on TMac. I wished he wasn't injured as much, but that's life. Still a great baller IMO. Sound like a grumpy vet, but seeing these replay's reminded me of the teamwork of past NBA teams unlike now, where my gen is about me ball. Great vid guys! Keep it up.

[@KevinWei24]

Way cool. T-Mac was the sh!t. His athleticism and scoring skills = 🔥🔥🔥

[@TheKendeHD]

he’s easily left off the top 76 players list, one of the most skilled players in history and he used to give kobe that work 💪🏾

[@HappyTofu2424]

Debatable, he's an all time great scorer and player but never accomplished much team wise and he was never that great at defense. He failed to get out of the first round every single year of his career (until 2013 when he was bench riding the Spurs). Injuries suck and he got injured all the time but that's a valid reason to leave him off the top 75 list.

[@TheKendeHD]

@@HappyTofu2424 you right. Dwight is actually my first option, but there are some names on there that I’m aware of but are truly on there because of the foundation they layed for the game and not their actual skill. Which is why i would have Dwight and Tmac and maybe Kyrie over maybe Paul Arizin, Sam Jones & Dave Cowens…

[@nishansandhu6080]

@@TheKendeHD don't forget Damian Lillard. I don't understand how he makes it

[@blackdragon6]

The fact Kobe respected him says a lot.

[@Ngolke]

Thanks for covering my favorite basketball player of all time!

[@balltalkdeep]

crazy to think if McGrady stayed in Toronto, him and Vince woulda made the NBA 75

[@dudec3]

Tmac and Yao, one of the biggest what if they were never inured duos.

[@smoothjb2384]

Man I just started the video I love yalls work I’m so excited to watch this thing! Let’s go

[@bscaller4354]

This man is the reason why I fell in love with the NBA. I cried every time his team was bounced out in the playoffs. lol. Thank you for this vid!

[@noshowjoe6596]

T mac's ability to get his jumpshot was unreal. The combination of height, wingspan and vertical allowed him to just shoot right over his defender. If anybody ever played basketball with their little brother I'm sure you could relate.

[@millionfish]

Man, that 2013 loss is so painful. He was so close to a ring.

[@CharlesCinco5]

Finally!! A story of my favorite player!

[@themaccolancreates37]

T-mac is my favorite player, I know most of T-mac's nba stories but, it's really nice to see people talking about T-mac especially theScore. I was so hyped when I saw you made a video about T-mac. Thank you, I love your videos keep it coming.😁 I hope you'll a video of my other favorite player Monta Ellis and I know you probably won't cause people label him as a bust and he is out of the league for a while now and people probably won't wanna watch but I hope someday you will he is Derrick Williams from Arizona the 2nd pick in 2011 NBA Draft. He is my Idol😁🤘

[@themaccolancreates37]

oh and not to be bias cause I'm a big fan of his, and I think he is getting tired of hearing this but, T-mac is the "greatest what if" in the NBA. It was not just injuries there were a lot of other things that just didn't go his way.

[@munir9527]

McGrady's talent was up there with the best to ever play the game, but his offensive game was both unrefined and inefficient at times His shot selection in the Playoffs was sometimes poor, and like Carter he didn't always give 100% effort on defense

[@javiersanchez1661]

T mac was offensively unstoppable when he was healthy. He just didn't have good role players around him. I thought the rockets starting 5 was good. They had nothing on the bench all the scoring was Yao, or T mac. You got have an offensive spark coming off the bench. To give your main guy's a rest when they need it.

[@munir9527]

@@javiersanchez1661 their best chance was 2008-2009 but McGrady could not play in the Playoffs due to injury, and Yao Ming got injured against the Lakers. Houston was able to push LA to 7 games even without those 2 due to Ron Artest and co.

[@javiersanchez1661]

@@munir9527 T mac almost single handedly beat Detroit by himself. The same pistons team that went on to beat Shaq and Kobe the following year.

[@munir9527]

@@javiersanchez1661 Yup, i remember that serues. He was all-time great for every year in Orlando, then got hit by the injury bug in Houston

[@6Mate]

Awesome video guys!

[@pen5666]

This channel is so underrated i hope yall get a mil someday

[@davidcaliff9196]

Always great to be early on these videos

[@guitarplayer6565]

Hands down my favorite nba player, so many fond memories watching espn news for the updated stat line every night, guy scored effortlessly

[@ianward3647]

thank you for doing a video on my favorite player

[@sunreal247]

Sick video 🔥

[@camlarocque8059]

theScore posting straight heat!! Hire me already

[@Albert8044]

T-Mac's one and only best chance to get out of the first round of the playoffs was 2003 when his magic blew a 3-1 series lead against the Pistons, and once the Pistons lockdown defense came to life it was all over for T-Mac's Magic realizing he was only a one man team, not only the Pistons won the next 3 games but most importantly taking the series.

[@skimy619]

one of my Idol since day one 💜💜 T-Mac

[@SpeedBattleFury]

dude had a 98% rating in NBA2k during his prime :D

[@visoy6877]

He deserves to be in NBA 75 greatest players!

[@ScronnyJohnny31]

Damn, I thought for sure I remembered him getting to the 2nd round at one point on the Rockets. Such a talented player, just couldn't catch a break. I wish I could see the alternate reality where he stuck with the Raptors and they had him and Vince for 10 years

[@HighFightIQ]

Been my favorite player since he got into the league, still my favorite player of all time. The unsung goat

[@millionfish]

Carter and McGrady were my first NBA memories as a kid growing up in Toronto. It's a shame neither worked out.

[@flipboi952]

One of my favorite players growing up, if only he did not have his injuries.

[@JohnJohn-nr7sb]

He was on the Spurs too when Ray Allen hit that shot and the Heat ended up winning. Definitely the worse outcome for T-Mac's career. Still one of my favorite players ever!

[@hunterjordan4327]

Tracy McGrady looked like a 6 foot 8 long armed velociraptor on that basketball court for real. He was so much fun to watch. Like a darker Scottie Pippen that had way more offensive firepower, and all the skills of rebounding and assisting and blocking shots ext..

[@josefrootgum]

Oh yeah, VC and TMac, the young Jordan and Pippen combo from Toronto. Such a great time.

[@Exexorder11110]

T Mac best sequence in basketball when he hit those comeback in Houston

[@fiesta061000]

I'm a Magic fan, and I loved watching him play in the early 2000s..The video though points out ORL lost in the 1st Rd three years in a row (2001, 2002, 2003)..It was frustrating..The Magic were better than the Hornets in 2002..That hurt losing to them..Grant Hill's injuries during his time in ORL were heartbreaking too..

[@erickvega318]

when i was a teen Tmac was my alltime favorite

[@deontae777]

this man should’ve made that damn list

[@randygiamat7753]

my all-time favorite player in the nba

[@alexhennigh5242]

Man, if Tmacs career didn't get derailed by injuries and his teams didn't get blown up by egos this dude could have seriously been in the GOAT conversation. He really was that good.

[@r.a.967]

When he was in the Spurs they were one game away from winning it all, then he retires the year after, the Spurs then win the championship. That's some bad luck. Great career though TMac, respect 👍👍

[@Thought.You.Had.A.Friend_74]

Man look...

[@guueyy.6176]

Man, only if I could see half of the clips on those tv’s

[@JironMitchell919]

Fav payer since 2000 lol 7 years old smh. Played for Mt. ZION in middle school. Dude jus been a Monster from the start 💯💪🏽

[@CallMiRizzla18]

my first ever favorite player

[@TOOMUCHSAUCE91]

In 2008 it was t-mac, ron artest and yao ming.... that team was so deep but injuries held them back

[@kennethjose7159]

Strong case for a playoff run in Tor. Doc Rivers blew the Duncan deal in Orl. Injury plagued in Hou. Man T-Mac really had quite the luck

[@paulyiustravelogue]

What if Kawhi did not miss those FTs late in game 6 of the 2013 Finals….

[@Reardon.]

he may have not been the best while he was in Toronto but his raptors home jersey is fire

[@noodles6281]

Would he be looked at differently if the Spurs held on to win the 2013 Finals even though he didn't really play at all? His resume would have NBA Champion on it and years down the road, people will forget he was an end of the bench player that time.

[@genxtasy9914]

Damn many of us in Toronto still can't stand the weather. I can't imagine how he felt.

[@kurtwagner350]

McGrady’s career is a long series of what if’s, if any player was ever screwed by luck alone it was him

[@yigitsezici9726]

The real GOAT

[@ItIsAllgood1219]

Never getting out of the 1st round as a #1 is damning.

[@djokester3138]

What is the name of the intro tune?

[@frankel7715]

Orlando Tmac was something different bro

[@seanstours3913]

Just ordered a Mitchell & Ness 1999-2000 Authentic Trac Mcgrady Toronto Raptors Jersey, ah what could of been if he stayed.

[@royjones8312]

After Jordan retired he was my favourite player in the NBA. He was so freaking good. Easily top 75 in my opinion. Sh*t, I’d have him top 50.

[@emsan3684]

He shouldn't left Toronto in the first place. Damn!

[@kiddiesm]

I'm still using the name 'Tracy McGrady' as my NBA 2K player in MyCareer

[@EastCoastMike]

Tracy was the first player to throw it off the backboard to his self

[@rami90177]

i started watching and playing basketball because of TMAC

[@hjunky]

I remember listening to the 13 points in 30 seconds on the radio lol.. I was grounded

[@DanielFlailed]

In his prime, TMac could do everything Kobe could do but was taller, a better dunker, and a better blocker. He'd also be a phenomenal catch and release shooter in today's game if he worked on 3s instead of driving so much.

[@officialphub1801]

why couldnt this man have stayed in toronto. good god. Imagine the possibilities.

[@0401412740]

I've never seen this guy play

[@mikeyandoc8981]

T-Mac almost had a ring if he just stayed for another year in san antonio.

[@RE1GN_BLOOD]

TMAC was pound for pound one of the most talented and just well put together player ever. More athletic but not quite the shooter clone of KD skill wise.

[@Andyy7444]

Back in the day when I was a youngin & TMac was in his prime people always asked “Kobe or Lebron” I always responded with “T-Mac” Which always earned me a nod of respect. My first favorite Baller.

[@samuellancelgarcia9869]

Tmac and vince= sure ring in the future, they can attract big men and point guard to fill the missing spot. They can run the future back then literally. VC even played with dell curry, doug christie, charles oakley, and hakeem Tmac with grant hill and future tmac= a sure ring and dominance if stayed healthy, they even played with ewing and kemp that would be nasty. Imagine a starting line-uo of jameer nelson, tmac, grant hill, rashard lewis, dwight bench of ty lue, juwan howard, hedo, pietrus, jj redick, tony battie thats a dynasty though Tmac and yao= guarantee no ring, west is very tough spurs, suns, lakers, jazz, mavs, nuggets, are all competetive nack then So fans choose the best chances of tmac to win a chip

[@lucasmutzenbechergentilleo4715]

Would love to see a Story Behind D Wade

[@LyraAlvarez]

Moral of the story: Stay in Toronto!!!

[@MrEpalmer1]

I hate how ppl today don’t know tmac was just as good as kobe

[@beastmode40205]

Penny, Brandon Roy, T-Mac, Jermaine O'Neal and DeMarcus Cousins. If all healthy and playing on the same team? They'd go 75-7

[@bktoogoated]

If TMac was patient

[@nathanmorales9039]

He got hurt alot. That pretty much sums it up. Otherwise could have been the GREATEST scorer ever.

[@jetpackdd]

i don’t care i don’t care he’s a top 20 player of all time

[@DC5Boss]

You have wrong information fella rockets were 5th seed Vs Dallas who was 4th seed .

[@SonnyK248]

He should have had a Kobe esc career

[@IXCANADATV]

T-Mac did say he would've stay in Toronto mane we could've won a championship with vince carter and t-mac

[@DanSuy]

all i know in 2013 he tried to chase for a ring and Lebron never allowed it :)

[@tyronjasonhuff]

Was literally Kobe's equal every once and a while. But sadly injuries...

[@animemui5626]

I really wish the raptors didn't traded him

[@rezahashemi2944]

Mac and carter greatest players without rings both shouldn’t have dipped onToronto.

[@alwaysright6358]

No rings, unfortunately. Had he stayed with the Raptors, perhaps he might have had one.

[@carolynbrown1590]

these. new players would be whining for fouls everytime he dunked

[@nikaoharbour6962]

2:23 one of the worse parts of the 90s: teenagers with bald heads 😖😖😖

[@blackmanhulk605]

Well you should've stay in Toronto big man,oh well too bad lol

[@duffman1876]

He barely made it out the First Round THE END!🍻🍺lol

[@futureDreamer4]

T Mac and Vince should have stayed together and McGrady should have stayed one more year with the Spurs so he could get his ring.

[@Longvoss]

Don’t forget to mention doc rivers and the magic refused to let Tim Duncan’s family fly w him to games so he didn’t come to Orlando. Biggest mistake ever. Prime TD and Tmac would’ve been incredible. Add it to the long list of L’s for glenn

[@Thought.You.Had.A.Friend_74]

He was the reincarnation of Penny, HOW DON'T Y'ALL SEE IT!? And u can't do nun about being traded when they chose to go one direction or the other. (Him or Vince). They obviously made their choice and Mac man was off...

[@realessayog6947]

Here come all the band wagoners. "TrAcY WuD HaV BiN BeTTur ThAn KobiE" - born after 1998

[@jdm2339]

rockets were 5 seed mavs were 4 seed... c'mon man

[@eksdeetheemoji]

Its crazy that there's a time mcgrady was better than kobe

[@user-bd9qk2nu2q]

better individual talent than kobe.

[@garysalazar5279]

What if TMac worked harder?

[@demonhunter758]

His back never allowed him to that’s why he needed Vinsanity