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In the early 2000s, while Shaquille O’Neal was unquestionably the best big man and most dominant player in the NBA, his teammate Kobe Bryant became the best all-around player or non-big man around.
However, for a little while, the late Los Angeles Lakers legend had a big competitor for that honor, at least in the minds of some fans and analysts.
Tracy McGrady, a player who was similar to Bryant when it came to his physique and skills, was also an outstanding player in those years. While most gave the nod to Bryant, McGrady was considered right on his heels.
McGrady recalled that debate with Patrick Beverley while saying he lacked one thing that may have made him the best (h/t Lakers Daily).
@PatBevPod 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 pic.twitter.com/boAQTkbUc1
— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) July 25, 2023
“That was a conversation of who was the best players in the league,” McGrady said to Beverley. “It was me and Kobe — of barbershop talk and around the league. Real hoopers, real basketball people know.”
Unfortunately for McGrady, he never won an NBA championship, and he was also criticized for not playing his best in crunch-time situations. In fact, he never won a single playoff series until his final season, when he was a bit player for the San Antonio Spurs.
Unlike Bryant, who was totally dedicated to his craft, McGrady didn’t take great care of his body. Perhaps as a result, his production started to decline in his mid-20s as he dealt with chronic back problems and other ailments.
While Bryant averaged at least 25 points a game in 12 seasons, McGrady only did so five times, and by age 30 he was down to averaging single digits in scoring.