Tracy McGrady Kicks Off Season 8 | Knuckleheads S8: E1 | The Players’ Tribune

We talkin’ legendary!! Tracy McGrady aka T-Mac, the hang dribble king and one of the purest hoopers to grace this sport, chops it up with Quentin and Darius on this episode of Knuckleheads. They get into what it was like to go against Vince in the most memorable Dunk Contest of all time, T-Mac’s instant rise from bench player to superstar, and what it was like playing in Houston with Yao. Oh, and you don’t want to miss the camel racing story…. Tune in!!
00:00:00 : Intro
00:00:46 : Who Bust Yo' Ass?
00:01:27 : Early Basketball Years
00:05:08 : ABCD Camp
00:14:33 : Senior Year at Mt. Zion
00:20:05 : Straight to the League
00:27:08 : NBA Draft
00:32:25 : Toronto Raptors
00:39:08 : 2000 Dunk Contest
00:43:27 : Orlando Magic
00:57:13 : Houston Rockets
01:06:32 : New York Knicks
01:09:14 : T-Mac Nickname
01:11:16 : T-Mac's Signature Shoes
01:12:47 : Players He Looked Up To
01:15:00 : Team USA
01:15:53 : Playing in China
01:19:38 : Start, Bench, Cut
01:22:08 : NBA Top 75
01:23:44 : Ones Basketball Association
01:26:49 : T-Mac's Big Purchase
01:30:08 : Camel Racing
01:31:48 : Straight out of High School
01:37:12 : Outro
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[@LawrenciaMoten]

As the daughter of Lawrence Moten I really appreciate you all mentioning him and talking about the legacy he left on college basketball. I love this podcast !

[@P_nunaki]

Q

[@mshallcharter]

i was a big fan of his too. he had mad style with the long socks and his game!

[@kenlouis5144]

Elimo Nelson from my highschool MILTON HIGH MASS...Played with your father at Syracuse.....Those High Socks were legendary...Game to match.

[@johnb3268]

When I was younger I loved watching your father play when he was in college when he played for Syracuse. Very smooth yet aggressive game.

[@sirdeonthegreat2168]

Lawrence Moten was a dawg!

[@Chasekduffy]

Hearing TMac talk about his grandmother in the present tense is beautiful. To have grey in your beard and one of your grandparents in your life a huge blessing

[@PLAYAWORLDRecords]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWW2mIOmpJaCfJo

[@kj7682]

💯

[@michael-wj7sc]

Amen to that God is good

[@montanaproductions5559]

And for them to be of sound mind 🙏🏾

[@Info_Divertissement]

Facts!

[@d.felixphoto2260]

TMac kept Kobe on his toes. His very existence in the league pushed him to be even greater.

[@FCguy709]

TMAC is so underrated. This dude reached his prime at 23 years old and was a superstar at age 21-24. Just imagine what his career could have looked like without injuries. Kevin Durant even modelled his game after him.

[@richardsong7732]

damn T-Mac in blue makes the kid in me all giddy inside . Definitely one of the Goats in his era.

[@gabrielalele8603]

Factss.

[@jfdcm3]

41:05 the way T-Mac says yeah when Jerry Stackhouse had to go after VC had me crackin up 🤣🤣🤣

[@tommystockwell3589]

Yeuhh

[@donaldgrantham4503]

@@tommystockwell3589 this is perfect 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@wilseph1]

What are we eatin' tonight? - DMiles in the third quarter Had me in tears!!!!

[@brodericksimpson6049]

I'll never get tired of hearing about the late 90s/early 2000s superstars talk about their high school years and those camps they went to.

[@donaldgrantham4503]

All the different perspectives are so interesting

[@anonymousmusic8132]

Y’all the GOATs for this one. Never fail to bring us all the greatest players of all time season after season. I would absolutely love to see Brandon Roy on here. Been waiting for years, hoping to see it pop up soon.

[@spiritpill641]

Yes! Brandon Roy !

[@fabianvazquez5556]

That’d be awesome

[@Mrbig8787]

Second favorite player after tmac he was a baller ,but career cut short asf.

[@DavidJonesAirway]

Heck yeah b Roy , he’s a pretty good interview to

[@russoulfree]

Y'all check out Michael Porter Jrs pod? B- Roy coached him or something and is on it ;)

[@Sicnesses23]

Damm man this is one of the best basketball interviews ever. Nothing but nostalgia

[@Sam-ji1fu]

nostalgia is the word, absolutely. Good old days

[@charliedcho]

This man should have been on the top 75 list 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@2KILLAVILLE]

Easily

[@DVitamin3]

NOT BEFORE DWIGHT HOWARD

[@DVitamin3]

OR VINCE CARTER

[@2KILLAVILLE]

@@DVitamin3 T- Mac was more Skilled & more Individual Accolades than both of them..all deserve to be on the list tho..even Dikembe, Grant Hill & Mourning

[@charliedcho]

@@DVitamin3 I actually agree with you. A lot of players got snubbed. I didn’t even realize Vince didn’t make the top 75 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@missayawk]

I was at ABCD camp and witnessed McGrady's coming out party.He was such a late addition his name wasn't even listed in the program with the list of players.#175 was his number.He did work all week.Those that were still in doubt were totally convinced when he WINDMILLED on 6'10 James Felton in the senior all star game.Coaches threw their papers up in the air and the game was stopped for about 4 minutes because of all the excitement.I NEVER forgot that week.One of the most memorable weeks in ABCD camp history Then OJ Mayo head to head against Lance Stephenson was another.And the MOST memorable Lenny Cooke vs LeBron James.. .killed Lenny 4ever.

[@joyfaith1711]

You were not there. Stop lying!!!

[@missayawk]

@@joyfaith1711 No need to lie.I went every year from 1996-2006.As my mom and dad is watching down ( R.I.P) I wrote my comment before even listening to the podcast.Word to my moms and pops.

[@missayawk]

@@joyfaith1711 TMac's team was the Cavaliers.At ABCD they used the names of NBA teams.

[@joyfaith1711]

@@missayawk ok respect. It aint that serious.

[@missayawk]

@@joyfaith1711 It is to me.Im a grown man not a kid looking for attention.

[@winenjeezpodcast298]

D Miles is right about that 13 points... I didn't see anybody else on his team! 🤣🤣🤣. I watched that live! EPIC

[@JustinVoorheesLNS]

Best part of Knuckleheads is learning that while I always loved the player, I now love the man. So many examples. Tracy is definitely one of them.

[@mavsnation4life]

I always like to hear these HS stories compared to them in the league. Having D Miles and Q being at them camps with these guys and now interviewing them is dope.

[@ghameerah]

D gotta be my favorite interviewer. I enjoy the way he forms his questions

[@Zo_1987]

He ask Great Questions, Q always cut off and eludes to himself but Q still Big Bro though!..

[@Kickzsince86]

@@Zo_1987 always lol

[@CoRocDaGreat]

The blackest one getting better at interviewing. He did a great job on this one.. 🔥🔥

[@Surgus2010]

Lmao what kind of statement

[@modiddly1663]

The blackest one 🤣😂🤣😂

[@bigtye215]

Darius miles 😂 also came outta high school

[@CoRocDaGreat]

@@Surgus2010 that’s what Q call him lol he don’t mind it. lol

[@Surgus2010]

@1-800-Wavy I don’t 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@themoshigh]

🔥🔥🔥 T-Mac was a humble superstar. One of my favorite players

[@gabrielalele8603]

Majorrr Factsss💯

[@Maxjuliann]

TMAC TOP 5 scorer of all time !!!!

[@MtmJackMan]

We were deprived of a potential shaq and Kobe vs Duncan and T-Mac finals 😳 thanks a lot doc lol

[@Red-gc6dw]

Or a Shaq and Kobe vs Vince and TMac

[@marzelsimmons8708]

Would of been crazy

[@pericopinero1035]

They’d cancel each other out. That finals would be decided by glue guys and role players. 3rd to 15th man lol

[@michaelbonhomme3677]

@@pericopinero1035 What’s crazy is TMac wanted to take the playmaker role if he was able to sign to Lakers with Kobe and Shaq However, if you remember correctly, he left the work opportunity with VC to spread his wings

[@vittiriowashington5211]

@@michaelbonhomme3677 huh, if I read the post correctly, he was referring to Tim Duncan joining the Magic with T-Mac

[@russoulfree]

TMac is a great interview. He loved Penny! What a tribute to play on the Magic reppin the 1 💙..

[@PLAYAWORLDRecords]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWW2mIOmpJaCfJo

[@gabrielalele8603]

💯

[@Nsuave11]

Man… Q & DMiles, Y’all are the truth for this. So real and authentic, absolutely love y’all interviews. TMac should’ve DEFINITELY been in the top 75 but I digress. Keep ‘em coming

[@kennybrownjr3991]

Amen 🙏🏾 💙

[@roguewookiee]

I'll take T-MAC over Dolph Schayes anyday! 😂

[@KMas89]

T-Mac is definitely not top 75 probably 100. Man was cold though.

[@Nsuave11]

@@KMas89 That’s fair… But Harden made it. Do you think He’s top 75 ALL time??

[@sgtcook3226]

@@Nsuave11 you right I’m taking Mac of James harden any day of the week hands down

[@heartbreakkid2]

T MAC I'll never forget what he did in the NBA off the back board and what he did to the spurs less than a minute

[@nickgoode9448]

that spurs game brings me nightmares coming from a spurs fan

[@RightInFrontOfYou]

I'll never forget when he told a reporter that his own team, the Rockets didn't have a chance in the playoffs against the Lakers. Lost all respect

[@heartbreakkid2]

@@RightInFrontOfYou your Cleary not a tmac fan

[@RightInFrontOfYou]

@@heartbreakkid2 You clearly are

[@heartbreakkid2]

@@RightInFrontOfYou and you're point is???

[@jarvaroushill2714]

T-Mac was my first favorite player now he #2 behind Joe Johnson(who I’ve been waiting for y’all to have on the podcast forever lol). RIP Kobe but I remember watching T-Mac give mamba the blues, T-Mac was averaging 30 while the league was still big on defense 💯💯💯💯

[@magnusduh4160]

I thought I was the only person who uses blues like that in my lingo, good shit.

[@causeyouonthatgame3684]

Allan Houston comes up a lot in these interviews, would be a great guest!

[@brandonethereal1084]

That dude is so underrated its unbelievable!💯

[@Kickzsince86]

He was a monster

[@sportstalkwithzo3707]

Watched him in high school, helluva player reppin my hometown, 1st person my city to sign $100m contract

[@Malaki727]

Allan Houston was a bum . He made 2 all star games and what else 🤔🤫

[@williamowens9221]

@@Malaki727 he definitely wasn't a bum... 2 all stars is great ... I'm a sixers fan and hated him bc he used to kill us

[@KD_SWAGGER]

Great interview! Tracy McGrady, Tim Duncan & Grant Hill all healthy together in Orlando is a big what if.

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

T-Mac finally a guest on the Knuckleheads podcast. I bet Vince Carter will be in the next episode.

[@bradj229]

“Tmac was the hardest guy I ever guarded.” - KB (RIP)

[@nate8604]

D-Miles asked some great questions in this interview.

[@jsimmons834]

Oh man! That's what I'm talking about. So many give props to T-Mac as inspiration.....waaaaay ahead of his time! Of course, his length and style were so unique, but I luv that he continued to mention how he WORKED.

[@LXBalla4414]

Very impressed with T Mac. He’s way more than just a talented basketball player.

[@Reggie4three]

Wish he had a longer career every time I see him hof

[@randallmoore5968]

I love how,and this is the reason I love Q and Dmiles is every episode or when we see dmiles and a on other shows They still have a passion for the “Game”.

[@hankhill69]

T-Mac was my favorite player growing up. I'm happy you guys finally got around to interviewing him.

[@mobarrz4495]

Word..

[@LocsTheChef]

I remember living in Orlando, Florida back in the days when T-Mac was on the team. There was this nightclub called Antigua's or some shit like that... I remember walking in and seeing ya boy T-Mac chillin' in his personal VIP section and man I'll tell you that was the first time I seen someone light a club up the jewelry around his neck. 🥶 That shit was twinkling and glistening 😆

[@TheGameAdvisor_1]

🤣🤣🤣

[@dannyboi068012]

T-Mac being one of favorite players, This by far is one of my favorite episodes thus far ..I would've of loved if yall had asked him to tell/share at least one Kobe Bryant's story.. seeing how they were so close ...but other then that Phenomenal Interview fellas

[@benfonvil935]

They probably didn’t ask out of respect

[@realrell7419]

Tell TMac he need to put that gear out in stores

[@Zo_1987]

Yeah, used to have his gear and sneakers when he was in Orlando back in 2003-04

[@Kingbossdon]

Been waiting for this episode for the longest one of my favorite players wished his career was longer but, still a Hall Of Famer

[@SavageLifeTronnie]

Would love to see Brandon Roy & Greg Oden

[@ronnellhillman7260]

This was an absolute great interview now get stephon Marbury

[@officialghetty]

Man T Mac was a bad boy I never forget me and my boys on the bball team bought his shoes when they came out and he did that off the backboard to himself dunk he changed the game !!

[@EE-in2uv]

This dude got one of the best logos too

[@esaabdullah2762]

If this man wouldn't got hurt and stayed healthy that GOAT argument may have been a little different. Real talk

[@donloban]

This really might be the nicest crib where they have done an episode of the podcast. Damn that interior design is nice! Good job TMAC.

[@michaelbonhomme3677]

My favorite perimeter scorer as a kid. I didn’t appreciate Kobe and Vince until 06-07, but T Mac’s pull-up was mesmerizing, combined with being the first 6-8/6-9 guy with speed and handle that I could remember watching live Always dreamed of being 6’8”-6’11” lol

[@acrawdaddy88]

Darius Miles funny as hell. When him and T-Mac mentioned their experience visiting Kentucky. Miles: Dis Y’all’s? Dis jus for y’all? 😂

[@ryanvas6]

Love T-Mac! One of my all time favorites. Prime Mac was one of the best to ever lace ‘em up. Doesn’t have the resume or longevity, but there were a couple of years there where Mac was 1&2 with Kobe. Also, I need one of them Knuckleheads hats asap!

[@powerbad696]

Yeah,when T-Mac was healthy with Orlando he was a BEAST !!! LOL.Neither player(Kobe)could stop the other,2 BLACK-MAMBAS !!! LOL.

[@evanspencer2605]

He left it all on the line dragging Orlando to playoffs by his self multiple times by the time he got to Houston his body was falling apart he maybe 1 and half good seasons in Houston and Yao’s body had already started to betray him plus people forget he spent almost 3 years in Toronto. I also believe coming out of HS he never learned how to properly condition his body like Kobe

[@powerbad696]

@@evanspencer2605 You made some good points there Evan.When T-Mac played for Orlando I thought he was better than Kobe at that time.Better offensively.T-Mac back then was all that and a bag of chips !!! LOL.

[@bjfisher4780]

The Mac Man!! All time favorite player 🔥🔥🔥

[@GISamurai]

T-MAC was the grand disruptor; the great unknown who took everyone by surprise. This cat was cold!!

[@michaelbonhomme3677]

Personal Development vs Coach’s determined role is the detriment of most talent progression. I grew up in an area where anybody 6’2” or taller HAD TO work in the post first. Great foundation, but some guys never developed their perimeter game until it was too late/ never at all

[@melvintejera196]

Great interview knuckleheads keep going 🔥 TMAC def top 75 one of my favorite nba players of all time

[@InsideArthursMind]

Man, this was great. Tmac was the first sports star i idolized. I had all the shoes, clothes. Man, they guy doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Straight Killer.

[@shader5410]

Kobe Bryant always said Tracy McGrady was the hardest opponent to play against. That's saying alot.

[@pcelis19]

Barring injury they were carbon copies of each other.

[@samuellee2108]

@@pcelis19 nah. Kobe mind was different.

[@JP-pl1fx]

Let’s goooooT-MACCC

[@PTO_Finesse]

One of my favorites of all time, matter fact he is my favorite. Shoutout to y’all, always see y’all on 2k, dope ass podcast.

[@portlandkid1070]

This was a really good interview. Miles did an amazing job. And it was good to see tmac open all the way up for once. Respect. I felt his pain cuz dude was about to be top 10 before injuries.

[@SHEEMBA]

T-Mac the legend from elementary school days

[@PopyoshitYp]

Tmac was my favorite player. The years he was at Orlando in his prime tmac was the best player in the world

[@yukoncorneliusjr8273]

Hands down my favorite podcast 🔥 keep it up fellas 👍🏽

[@darrelljones3965]

T Mac should’ve been top 75 especially over dame

[@jasonedwards7784]

And Westbrook

[@jonathanpedersen7654]

Dwight over AD also!

[@jasonedwards7784]

@@jonathanpedersen7654 facts…he got in because of the bubble!

[@nate8604]

Nah. Dwight is the only exception, nobody else, that didn’t make the top 75, was more deserving then the guys who did make it.

[@darrelljones3965]

@@nate8604 hell nah

[@longhornduck]

Great surprise! My favorite! Tmac please make your hats and gear available for purchase!

[@KillaCam2534]

Man one of the craziest things in high school was finding out that T-Mac and Vince were cousins 🤯. Just took their appeal to another level

[@luthermata8609]

One of the best foot work in the league back then and so many threat in and out... love this dude

[@creydadj]

If Tmac didn’t get injured and won the first round of the playoffs, he’ll be a TOP 75 player easily

[@Doknot-tb9ey]

He should still be in the top 75 regardless.

[@2KILLAVILLE]

@@Doknot-tb9ey Agree! Him, V.Carter, Dikembe, Grant Hill, Mourning...few players still playing couldve waited until the greatest 100

[@teddyhart2913]

T macs logo is creative af

[@Dantana773]

T Mac gave people that Work, Very exciting to Watch. I thought him and G hill were going to be a special tandem in Orlando, Hell yes lawrence Moten was a bucket frfr ...Great episode #Dantana773

[@luciousbattlecat2618]

The greatest thing that never happened. Grant Hill and T Mac in Orlando smh

[@pericopinero1035]

@@luciousbattlecat2618 ORL almost formed a big 3. Duncan was going to join them.

[@luciousbattlecat2618]

@@pericopinero1035 didn't even know that smh

[@prideventues]

When people talk about athletes and put them down.....I love that these guys have platforms to show the truth.....all these guys are quality people.....family people.....love their country etc.

[@craigsmith9497]

Q and D-Miles never fail to impress. Waiting for the 5'9 and under to get their due. Muggsy and Spud Webb were nothing to mess with

[@henrywitherspoon8064]

You mind if I throw Earl Boykins in there

[@Kingbossdon]

Always bringing it with the guess knuckleheads thank yall this is one of my favorite players ever thank u

[@jasonnguyen9410]

Q & D, Thank you both for bringing on one of many NBA players that I enjoy watching in the 2000s era......You both did great on sharing stories and interviewing T-Mac....Glad to hear about his OBL and how well it is doing in the basketball scene.

[@BenBulljive]

Glad y'all are back! Definitely one of the dopest episodes y'all done!

[@KoreyHill]

Man, just watched this whole episode. Literally, this was amazing. At one point, T-MAC was all I wanted to see when he was on Houston with Yao. Huge shoutout to you guys (Q and D-Miles) for this one. Basketball was at a milestone point back when y'all took the courts. Nostalgia is all over this episode, for sure.

[@PLAYAWORLDRecords]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWW2mIOmpJaCfJo

[@terrancefoster6613]

Orlando Magic Tracy Mcgrady was and forever legendary 🔥🔥

[@KDogduval]

My fav joint thus far...yall fellas keep bringing the 🔥🔥🔥. The LEGEND TMAC...my FLA brethren and fav player. FLA stand up!!! Keep doing it big fellas💯

[@mha10]

Best one yet. A legend!

[@AlbinoWhiteGuy]

TMac is a legend 🙏 He had the mentality like Kobe and Jordan.

[@redpill8197]

If he had that mentality he would of got out the first round chill out

[@whysitstill9475]

Mac attack!! Legend! NBA, baseball, just a good man in general. Shoutout H - mac's trainer.

[@keygarrett3931]

YOOOOOOOOO I’ve never been so hyped for an episode!!!!!

[@Dave2one6]

Damn the record, 2002-2003 my fav nba season and I'm from Cleveland. I got to see all 3 of these guys play. T-Mac scored 21 in the 1st in one game I was at, and I got to see D Miles beat Q in another.

[@royboykins2326]

I liked this before even watching.. I know this is going to be 🔥🔥🔥

[@leslyvee8691]

THE HENNY IS BACK They definitely blazed on the PROPERTY LOL 21!! Man!!!

[@tathdak2973]

My goat fr, thank you guys for this episode🤝

[@marcpolo.corleone5866]

Wow this is one of the best interviews T Mac is a real one 🔥

[@LegendofTroy]

This was super dope, really good content. Straight 🔥🔥🔥

[@malikzubi5632]

LETTTTTS GOOO LONG OVERDUE!

[@silascrawford6377]

Shout out to T-Mac, you know a man is really southern when he pronounces Vienna sausages as "Vy-eena!"

[@aznmikez.2079]

woohooo, been waiting for Mac to come on!! They did it!

[@josheasy6716]

Been waiting for this 1 ! .. 🙏🏾

[@AY-jy4xf]

Marbury and Kenyon Martin Senior please . Keep up the great work . This podcast is like heroin for pure hoopers

[@sfrvnko7818]

Aye man Get G Hill on this joint to Grant hill story is one we need to hear.

[@tclass99]

I get the feeling that JJ Reddick will be the first guy to get him given that Duke connection.

[@blckgh0str1der65]

Awesome interview my third fav player all time behind Ewing and AI. Wish he was a Knick early in his career appreciate u donning the Orange and Blue also Q Rich keep up the good work

[@jobadahut1110]

Brandon Roy, Mighty Mouse, Ron Harper!

[@ishetrying]

I'm always impressed with the details retired guys remember from games and specific plays.

[@tommyeggplant9571]

Tmac is the man! And miles really is a great interviewer he asks real stuff people think and hoopers think , my fav podcast for hoops!!

[@lucasgibson1683]

I’ll never forget my first pair of adidas’s were T-Macs. Sealed a game and hit off handed free throws in those after I broke my dominate wrist.

[@vincejohnson4831]

Best hoop interview I’ve seen ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

[@jaylew0952]

TMac been one of my favorites since he started doing the self alley oops!! him VC and Iggy were my favorite SFs growing up..also, Q a fool for starting it off “indoor pools, outdoor pools”😂😂😭😭😂😭

[@jasonreyes5767]

Was dying to see this one my fav all time

[@SamsClub427]

This was so damn good. Thank you for the safe space

[@Classicbasketballdvds]

t-mac, da legend