Latest news with #TracyMcGrady
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
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Tracy McGrady shares how frustration led to him punting the ball into the stands: "That's a lot of sh-t that's going on and I'm trying to win"
Tracy McGrady shares how frustration led to him punting the ball into the stands: "That's a lot of sh-t that's going on and I'm trying to win" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Some moments in basketball stick with us forever because of how iconic they are. Vince Carter jumping over a 7-footer at the Olympics. Michael Jordan rising over Dikembe Mutombo and finally giving him the finger wag back. Or from more recent times, Kawhi Leonard hitting that legendary Game 7 buzzer-beater against the Philadelphia 76ers, the one that kissed every inch of the rim before finally falling in. But then there's a different kind of moment, a moment so absurd and unforgettable that it lives in NBA lore for all the "wrong" reasons. One where the play didn't involve scoring, passing or defending. It only involved THE basketball, as an object. Tracy McGrady punting the ball into the stands. Not once, but twice. "It was only 10 grand," said McGrady about the fine, before quickly continuing to explain the backstory of the incident."That season right there, that's my fourth year with Orlando, that's three years of frustration. Three years, I'm frustrated, bro, that's a lot of sh-t that's going on in these three years with me. I'm trying to win." That wasn't just a moment of random madness. That was years of tension boiling over. McGrady was one-man wrecking crew When McGrady got to the Orlando Magic, it didn't take long before he took off to a whole other level. The numbers jumped significantly, and the entire league realized it was looking at something different than old Tracy. But while T-Mac was busy torching defenders and stacking up All-NBA nods, the franchise around him was falling apart rapidly. Grant Hill, the guy they brought in who was supposed to carry the torch together with Tracy, couldn't stay on the floor, battling with injuries more than opponents. Mike Miller, one of the more reliable pieces he had, got traded as well. And just like that, all the hope for T-Mac and the franchise was gone. "They traded away Mike Miller, Grant Hill is not healthy… My team is gone, so I'm just tired, dawg, I'm trying to win and we are not doing it. That night I got my 10 thousandth point, then I just lost it, bro, and decided to switch sports,"the retired high-flyer added. Still, he kept showing up. He made First Team All-NBA, which wasn't lost on him when he brought it up to Carmelo Anthony in that interview. "I'm talking about First Team All-NBA. You know how hard it is to get First Team?" he asked again. Anthony, one of the podcast's hosts, sitting right across from him, never made it. And we're talking about one of the best forwards and pure scorers the game has ever seen. That's how hard it try in Houston After all that frustration, McGrady eventually got his way out and landed with the Houston Rockets, teaming up with Yao Ming and finally getting the chance to chase a ring in a different setting. On paper, it was the perfect duo. Two superstars who could dominate inside and out. But basketball gods had other plans. Injuries to both McGrady and Yao kept derailing any real shot they had at making a deep playoff run. Despite all that, McGrady's legacy remains untouchable. He was a generational scorer, a two-way wing with the kind of natural talent that doesn't come around so often. What happened that night in Orlando wasn't some random outburst of anger just for the sake of it. It was a cry for help from a player who wanted to win so badly, but simply was not put in a position to do so by his very own franchise. And, sometimes, throwing the ball in the stands is the only way to let the world know you've had story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tracy McGrady says his first game against rookie LeBron James proved the kid was built for stardom: "He didn't get discouraged"
Tracy McGrady says his first game against rookie LeBron James proved the kid was built for stardom: "He didn't get discouraged" originally appeared on Basketball Network. When LeBron James entered the NBA, Tracy McGrady was already a superstar. McGrady had made back-to-back All-Star and All-NBA First team selections and finished 4th in the MVP balloting during both years. T-Mac was also the reigning scoring champion and arguably the best forward in the league. Anytime you put a rookie against a guy with that resume, the young one succumbs to the pressure. Not LeBron. During their first-ever head-to-head meeting, McGrady put on a clinic. But LeBron refused to be a mere prop in the show. "My game against Bron on Christmas," recalled T-Mac during his recent appearance on Carmelo Anthony's "7PM in Brooklyn" podcast. "Man, I'm hearing all the hype of these cats coming in. I'm hearing it from my boys back home. Man, what? Y'all think I'm gonna let Bron come in here and steal the show as a rookie? What I've been doing the last couple of years in here? Hell no, bro." "And one of my boys, he was my barber from back home. We had a bet. 'Bron gon' come here and tear you a– up.' He's just always a joker like that. I said, 'Aight.' I said, 'MF, make sure you tune in to this game and don't miss nothing,' he added. The scoring champion versus the super rookie Bron entered the NBA as the most-hyped prospect ever. That's probably why the NBA scheduled his Cavaliers for a Christmas Day game in his first year in the league. Matching him up against McGrady was a stroke of genius. And they did not disappoint. T-Mac lit up the Cavs with 41 points on 15-29 shooting, including 5-9 from 3-point distance, while also pulling down eight rebounds, issuing 11 assists, with three steals and one blocked shot. He scored or assisted on 12 of the Orlando Magic's 14 points in overtime to emerge victorious at 113-101. Meanwhile, James pulled his own with 34 points on 13-28 shooting, including 4-10 from 3-point range. LBJ also added six assists and two steals in 47:06 minutes of playing time. Although his team lost the game after getting outscored 16-4 in the extra period, the rookie earned the respect of McGrady. "It was a classic game, but to see a young cat like that, with the poise, going up against me at that time when I was leading the league in scoring, to see how he handled that, that type of pressure coming in there, I knew he was born for it, for stardom. Like he was gon' be that dude…When he's making shots like that, meaning myself, you get a little discouraged. He didn't get discouraged. And when I saw he didn't get discouraged, I was like "Okay, dude's gonna be a problem," continued became a problem The Magic and Cavs played two more games that season, with McGrady outscoring LeBron in both games. T-Mac would score at least 30 points against LBJ in their three head-to-head matchups across the next two seasons. However, as McGrady predicted, the Ohio native became a problem for everybody, including himself. McGrady and James would face each other in 20 NBA games, with LeBron owning an 11-9 record against Tracy. Bron would average 23.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in those games while outscoring McGrady in 14 out of 20 head-to-head meetings. McGrady retired after the 2011-12 NBA season, mainly due to injuries. On the other hand, LeBron continues to be a problem for opposing teams 22 years into his NBA career. At age 40 last season, he was still named to the All-NBA second team, averaging 24.4 points, 7.8 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, still proving he is the "dude."This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
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"Tracy and I never had to worry about anything" - Vince Carter says Charles Oakley was always ready to scrap
"Tracy and I never had to worry about anything" - Vince Carter says Charles Oakley was always ready to scrap originally appeared on Basketball Network. Vince Carter regards Charles Oakley as the most influential mentor he had during his formative years in the NBA. Reflecting on his rookie season with the Toronto Raptors, Vinsanity expressed deep gratitude for the invaluable lessons Oakley taught him. However, what stood out the most for Carter was Oakley's unwavering support and protection. Carter recalled that whenever tensions flared on the court, Oak was always ready to step in and defend him. This dynamic provided Carter with peace of mind and allowed him to concentrate on his game. "The one thing I'll say about Oak is that Tracy [McGrady] and I never had to worry about anything," Carter told Yahoo Sports in 2019. "You get in a little altercation, shoving match, talking; you didn't have to ask Oakley to be there. He would be there. He taught us how to play the game, how to be tough, respect the game and don't take no junk from nobody." Oakley did the same for MJ Throughout his NBA career, Oakley earned a reputation as one of the toughest competitors in the league. He was not just known for his physical style of play, but also for his remarkable commitment to protecting his teammates from the league's most aggressive and dirtiest players. Before being there for Carter, Oak, who played for the Chicago Bulls, had already taken on the crucial role of defending Michael Jordan, especially against those who aimed to hurt him during games. In the process, Oakley and Jordan developed a strong bond. Their relationship extended beyond the court and in fact, Oakley made it a point to be there for MJ when things got out of hand off the court. The towering center ensured that Jordan was safe whenever they were together. According to Gilbert Arenas, there was even one time when Washington Wizards big man Kwame Brown wanted to beat Jordan up, but he got scared because Oakley was there. "We in Chicago... you know, his nemesis is Jordan, but his real nemesis is Oakley 'cause Oakley scared the s**t out of him," Arenas once shared. "I remember we sitting at the bar, and Kwame's like, 'Yeah, I'mma f**k him up, I'mma whoop his a** now. He by himself... Bartender! Shots! Give me five.' Jordan come, 'Hey h*e. What your a** doing here h*e?' All you see was Kwame take them, hit them shots. He seen it, and he was like, 'Oh, he trying to get some courage, huh?'" "Jordan said, 'Oakley downstairs,' that's all MJ said. Whatever that liquor was gonna do, the name Oakley reversed that s**t," Arenas added. The last NBA enforcer Oakley played 19 seasons in the NBA. All throughout his playing years, he carried a tough guy persona that left a lasting impact on both his teammates and rivals. Even when his career was over, Oak still embodied toughness. In fact, he takes pride in relentlessly fighting with players whom he believed were deserving of some beating. However, Oakley's legacy is not solely defined by his physicality and toughness on the court but also by the deep connections he formed with his teammates. For Carter and Jordan, Oak was more than just a fierce competitor. His dedication to both the game and ensuring his teammates were safe made him a true NBA story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration"
T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration" originally appeared on Basketball Network. 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.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tracy McGrady still can't believe the Magic let Tim Duncan walk away over a plane-ride policy: "You give that man whatever he wants"
Tracy McGrady still can't believe the Magic let Tim Duncan walk away over a plane-ride policy: "You give that man whatever he wants" originally appeared on Basketball Network. The 2000 offseason was a pivotal one for the Orlando Magic. A few years removed from the Shaquille O'Neal-Penny Hardaway era, the franchise was poised to make a run at the NBA title once again after they signed two versatile and explosive wingmen, Tracy McGrady and Grant Hill. Advertisement However, Orlando was not done yet, as they set their sights on arguably the biggest prize of the free agent market: the San Antonio Spurs' dominant big man, Tim Duncan. And according to Hill and McGrady, things were going well at their dinner meeting with Magic head coach Doc Rivers until one question and the response to that query changed the course of the franchise forever. Doc's direct response turned Timmy off In a previous interview, Hill recalled the meeting's details as if they had happened yesterday. After a filling meal and some small talk, the interested parties got down to the nitty-gritty. "Tim's girlfriend asked Doc a question: can wives and girlfriends travel on the team plane? I remember that. And you gotta understand, back then that didn't happen — it happens now, but back then it didn't happen," Grant shared. Advertisement "So Doc said, 'No, it's a business trip, that doesn't happen, I don't allow that.' Now, I didn't know that San Antonio had started doing that, you know, and so that's why — because I'm thinking that's a bold question. Like, I'm like, why is she asking that question? But I didn't pay much attention to it," he added. Little did everyone in the Magic organization know that that helped Duncan decide to stay in San Antonio, where he went on to win four more NBA titles and establish himself as one of the greatest players in league history. Looking back on that event 25 years later, T-Mac said Doc and the Magic should have given Timmy whatever he wanted. They should have made it happen had he asked for Disneyland to be built in Orlando. "I'm like, this man has won a championship. He's arguably one of the best power forwards in the game, and this is three years removed from college," McGrady said. "You give him what he wants, all out, 100%. You're supposed to give that man whatever he wants." Advertisement Related: "At some points it was just funny" - Tim Duncan on why Kevin Garnett could never get under his skin An organization that's willing to take risks A common thread among successful organizations in the NBA is their ability to take calculated risks and make informed compromises. From drafting young, unproven talent to making big trades and signing controversial players, these teams are not afraid to go against the norm in pursuit of greatness. Unfortunately for T-Mac, the Magic was not willing to change its policies to accommodate the best power forward of that era. "That's just the difference in certain organizations and certain personnel willing to pull the triggers to change the trajectory of your organization," Tracy commented. "If you got a chance to get Tim Duncan — you already have T-Mac, who's an All-Star, and we didn't know if Grant Hill was going to be unhealthy — but if you could make that happen... come on, bro." Advertisement While it's uncertain if the Magic would have been able to win a title with Hill playing in only 200 games in his six seasons there due to various injuries, the duo of T-Mac and TD could have potentially dominated the league for years to come. However, the Magic prioritized maintaining their existing policies and structure rather than taking a risk on change. Related: T-Mac reveals how Penny Hardaway was the biggest influence on him going to the Magic: "That was the inspiration" This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 4, 2025, where it first appeared.
