Tracy McGrady: A tribute to T-Mac

McGrady played for many teams including the Atlanta Hawks (Getty Images)

McGrady spent the next three seasons bouncing around from New York to Detroit to Atlanta in reserve roles. Injuries and age had taken their toll by this point. McGrady averaged just 5.3 points in 52 games with the Hawks in 2011-12. He decided to play in China for the 2012-13 season.

Somewhat remarkably, McGrady, known for his weak post-season record, came within 5.2 seconds of winning a championship ring in June, as he latched on with the Spurs just before the playoffs. Although he played only 31 minutes total in the post-season, he still generated media interest, particularly at the Finals. Although a future hall of famer, McGrady was had never even won a playoff series until he joined San Antonio in April 2012.

Along with injuries and constant trades, McGrady also had to suffer criticism from the pundits of the game and at the times, the media. He was constantly reminded that he had not achieved his full potential, somewhat rudely. He was constantly compared with Kobe Bryant. They talk about the duo’s stats all the time. What they don’t talk about is who they had to help achieve those stats. Kobe had Shaq and Phil, and later Gasol and Odom, with players like Horrey and Fisher always ready to help.

T-Mac’s best team-mates were Yao Ming and Grant Hill (who played 46 games with him in 4 years), Mike Miller, and for a while, Patrick Ewing (who was a mere shadow of his former glorious self). Here’s a list of some players who started with McGrady during the best years of his career 2001-08 – Darrell Armstrong, Bo Outlaw, Mike Miller, Pat Garrity, Horace Grant, Monty Williams, Jacque Vaughn, Gordan Giricek, Drew Gooden, Yao Ming , David Wesley, Bob Sura, Ryan Bowen, Scott Padgett, Shane Battier , Rafer Alston, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola and Bobby Jackson.

The only decent team-mate he got was Vince Carter at Toronto. We might have started talking about them the way we talk about Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant had the duo’s partnership longer. It didn’t last because McGrady wanted out. He wanted his own team, wanted out of Vince’s shadow, wanted to play closer to home, and that was it. He never had the luck of getting another decent team-mate again. While T-Mac is often criticized for his inability to lead a team past the first round, he is still an all-time great.

And as with all great players, the Hall of Fame question must come up at the end of such a fantastic run. So, what do you guys think? Is T-Mac worthy of the Hall of Fame or will his injury-riddled career and inability to lead a team out of the first round impede any chance he has? Do his mediocre team-mates completely explain his early playoff exits?

Here’s a video of his top 10 plays:

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