T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration"
When Tracy McGrady hit free agency back in 2000, he had the entire league watching. A young, explosive scorer with size, athleticism, and that effortless smoothness to his game, T-Mac was ready to take the next step and become the centerpiece of a franchise. And while there were plenty of suitors lined up hoping to land him, for McGrady, the decision to join the Orlando Magic wasn't just about basketball. It was about coming home.
Advertisement
Growing up just outside Orlando in Auburndale, Florida, McGrady had always felt a connection to the hometown team in the Magic. But it wasn't until Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway came on the scene that young Tracy truly started to dream of donning that iconic blue and white uniform.
Penny was an inspiration to many
Long before he became a seven-time All-Star and one of the most gifted scorers of his era, McGrady was just another kid in Central Florida glued to the TV whenever the Magic played. And when Penny showed up? That's when it all clicked for the young hooper.
"I grew up 35 miles from Orlando. When we got the Magic I became a Magic fan, but when we got Penny (Hardaway)... That's when I'm like, I saw myself in that uniform. Because I identify a lot of my game watching Penny. And that was the inspiration," McGrady shared with a touch of nostalgia.
Advertisement
For McGrady, Hardaway wasn't just another NBA star putting on a show for the whole bunch of fans. He was the guy he wanted to emulate so badly. He was the player who made kids believe they could do it too. And for T-Mac, who was already showing flashes of brilliance as a teenager, it was easy to see himself following in Penny's footsteps.
So when the opportunity came to leave the Toronto Raptors, the franchise that took a chance on him when he was just a teenager, and pick his next destination, McGrady knew immediately where to go. It wasn't just about playing ball; it was about chasing a childhood dream.
McGrady's time with the Raptors had proven he could hang with the big boys. But he wanted more. He wanted his own team. And the thought of doing that back home, where it all started, wearing the same uniform as his idol? That sealed it.
"So when I got the opportunity, it was a no-brainer to come back home, put on that uniform like my idol. That's what it was," the retired high-flyer added.
Advertisement
Related: Michael Jordan shows off his $115 million luxurious superyacht in Croatia
Tracy became the Magic icon
And come home he did. From the moment he arrived in Florida, it was clear the same kid who watched his idols donning that same jersey was ready to take matters into his own hands. McGrady went on to have four spectacular seasons with the Magic, winning two scoring titles and putting together some of the most jaw-dropping individual performances the franchise had ever seen.
Sure, the Magic didn't have the playoff success they'd hoped for during T-Mac's run. But for fans in Orlando, there was something special about watching a hometown kid live out his long-awaited dream.
Advertisement
Even though he never got his childhood team to the promised land, or, quite frankly, anywhere near it, T-Mac became the man in the Association. Just like Penny, for a brief moment, until injuries struck, was. Even that alone is worth the respect.
Related: Matt Barnes has a problem with all the Kobe slander in the past couple of years: "None of this weird talk was happening while he was here"
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
30 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who Is Amanda Kloots' Late Husband? All About Nick Cordero's Legacy 5 Years After His Death
Amanda Kloots' husband, Nick Cordero, was a celebrated stage actor The couple married in 2017 and shared a son named Elvis In 2020, Kloots shared about Cordero's journey after being diagnosed with COVID-19 and tragically announced his death on July 5As the world was coming to grips with the devastating impacts of COVID-19, Nick Cordero's story garnered mass attention thanks to his wife, Amanda Kloots. Cordero caught the virus in late March of 2020 and spent 95 days in the hospital. He died five years ago on July 5, 2020. While Cordero was hospitalized, Kloots shared regular updates about her husband's health on Instagram with the hopeful hashtag, #wakeupnick. It sparked mass support from strangers and loved ones alike. After his death, Florence Pugh, a fellow actor and friend of the couple, commemorated Cordero's life on Instagram, writing, 'Nick, we love you to infinity and beyond. Rest In Peace you beautiful, beautiful man.' Kloots, a Broadway dancer-turned-fitness instructor, first met Cordero, an actor, in New York City. At the time, the pair were working on Bullets Over Broadway, for which Cordero received a Tony nomination. 'We were friends first and then fell in love,' Kloots wrote on Instagram about the early days of her relationship with Cordero. 'We got married in NYC in 2017 and had [our son] Elvis two years later.' Kloots continues to honor her late husband's memory in various ways. She's written a memoir, Live Your Life (2021), about her and Cordero's love story. Kloots also transformed her engagement ring into something 'more casual' she can continue to wear on her hand 'every day,' no matter her relationship status. In April 2025, Kloots went red carpet official with her new boyfriend, Justin Gimelstob. So, who was Amanda Kloots' husband? Here's everything to know about the late Nick Cordero and his relationship with the dancer. Cordero was born and raised in the west end of Hamilton, Ontario, a city southwest of Toronto. His mother was originally from Canada, while his father originated from Costa Rica. Following high school at Westdale Secondary, Cordero attended Toronto Metropolitan University, which is known for its arts programs. After two years studying acting, he dropped out to pursue music full time with his band Lovemethod. The group eventually separated, and Cordero returned to acting. While Cordero had television and film roles, his main place was in the theater. In Canada, he acted in Tony & Tina's Wedding, The Last Five Years, Equus, Blood Brothers and Fiddler On The Roof. On the small screen, Cordero worked on Queer As Folk and Brothers before relocating to N.Y.C. in the mid-2000s. Per The New York Times, Cordero's 'big break' came in 2014 with a musical adaptation of Woody Allen's Bullets Over Broadway. Cordero played Cheech, a tap-dancing gangster. It was this role that scored him a Tony nomination. Following Bullets, Cordero played the title character's husband in Waitress, as well as a mobster in A Bronx Tale. Bullets Over Broadway not only earned Cordero a Tony nomination, but it was also how he met his wife. Kloots, a dancer for the show, was married when she met Cordero. 'We were friends first and then fell in love,' she wrote on Instagram. After years of knowing each other, they married on Sept. 3, 2017. 'We really wanted a nighttime classic NYC wedding,' Kloots told BRIDES. The pair married at The Skylark, a cocktail lounge in Midtown. 'We both have worked on Broadway, so being just south of Times Square, 30 floors up, right in the middle of the skyscrapers, seemed so perfect!' she added. Kloots and Cordero had 70 guests in attendance, many of them Broadway performers. In March 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cordero caught the virus, resulting in his hospitalization. The actor stayed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles for more than 90 days. On March 31, Kloots shared that Nick was in the ICU, as he had been experiencing difficulty breathing. During his prolonged hospital stay, Cordero faced complications including a lung infection, getting a temporary pacemaker and septic shock, the latter leading to a leg amputation. As Cordero continued to receive treatment, Kloots shared regular updates about her husband's condition on Instagram, uniting many on the internet, from friends and former castmates to new fans. Most of the updates Kloots gave and the support she received were shared through Instagram Stories, which she has saved as Highlights on her page. Following Kloots' lead, Cordero's supporters used the hashtag #wakeupnick and danced and/or sang for him daily. On July 5, 2020, Kloots shared that her husband had died. 'God has another angel in heaven now,' she wrote. In her post, she expressed her gratitude for 'the outpour of love , support and help we've received these last 95 days.' She added, 'You have no idea how much you lifted my spirits at 3pm everyday as the world sang Nicks song, Live Your Life.' Cordero's legacy lives on in many ways, but most literally through his son, Elvis, who was born on June 10, 2019. In 2024, Kloots recalled the 'crazy and beautiful moment' of having her son. 'Nick was the cutest new dad ... Elvis spent the first two days in the NICU and until I was strong enough to go he was running there every two minutes and taking every friend and family member to see his new son! He was SO PROUD.' While thousands of strangers rallied around Kloots while Cordero was in the hospital, notable loved ones did too. Among them were Zach Braff, who was best friends with Cordero, and his then-girlfriend, Florence Pugh. In the wake of Cordero's death, Pugh shared a video of him singing and wrote: 'My friend Nick Cordero passed this morning, holding hands with all his loved ones. Him and his wife @amandakloots have been fighting extremely hard for 90 days.' She ended with a call to 'take this virus seriously,' adding, 'Wear your mask, respect others' space, clean your hands and please be safe.' In 2023, Braff honored the three-year anniversary of Cordero's death, writing, 'Three years ago today we lost our Nick. There was not a kinder person on Earth. We never know how long we've got. Carpe Diem.' While Cordero was in the hospital, Kloots and her family lived in Braff's guesthouse, per The New York Times. Braff remains close with Kloot and her son. In June 2024, he attended Elvis' preschool graduation. To commemorate that day, the mom of one shared a series of photos, including one with Braff. 'I got to say between his birthday, Father's Day and then graduation.. June has not been an easy grief month at all ... BUT, to have friends in my life that show up, stand beside me, and hold our hands time and time again makes all the difference!' she said. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dramatic Footage Shows Helicopter Rescue amid Texas Floods That Left Multiple Dead, Dozens Missing
A helicopter performed a high-stakes rescue mission amid severe flooding in Texas, video footage shows The video was taken at Howdy's Bar & Grill in Kerville on July 4 Numerous people are dead and multiple others remain missing following the floodingA moment of hope was captured as central Texas was inundated with severe flooding. In a dramatic video shared on Facebook that was taken at Howdy's Bar & Grill in Kerville on Friday, July 4, a helicopter could be seen rescuing several people by air. Local iHeartRadio host Anne Hudson of After MidNite and Mornings with Granger Smith shared an additional dramatic rescue video. "HEROS rescuing children in the #GuadalupeRiver floods… Praying HARD they find and rescue all the missing children, as many camp cabins were washed away. 😢🙏," Hudson captioned the video. Texans and onlookers alike sent words of support for the rescue efforts amid the severe weather. "Oh my gosh! The horror these babies went through. I'm crying. God please be with them. Give them Your peace," one user wrote in the comments. Another added, "So heartbreaking ☹️." PEOPLE has reached out to Howdy's restaurant for further comment. The extreme flooding of the Guadalupe River resulted in an overnight evacuation of nearby Camp Mystic, a local summer camp, where multiple girls have gone missing. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said 23 of Camp Mystic's 750 campers are unaccounted for, according to ABC affiliate Eyewitness News. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Directors from the camp had reportedly asked for help and said some of the children were unaccounted for, according to the San Antonio Express-News. The directors said that the cabins were flooded and may have been washed away. The highway in the area has been washed away, the outlet also reported. Kerr County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Clint Morris told KSAT it is 'an extremely active scene, countywide.' PEOPLE has reached out to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office (KCSO) for an update on the missing girls. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former Canadiens Player Signs With Colorado
Former Canadiens Player Signs With Colorado In July 2024, Montmagny, PQ native Alex Barre-Boulet signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens. With 68 NHL games under his belt, the 28-year-old left-shot center was hoping to be able to make the team in October. He made the opening night roster, played the first two games, but was kept off the scoreboard and was swiftly waived and assigned to the Laval Rocket when he went unclaimed. 2:52 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
