Tracy McGrady and Kobe Bryant shared a big rivalry during their NBA careers. Although their careers were very different in terms of accolades, Kobe always showed respect for T-Mac’s game, which gave him nightmares.
The former Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, and Houston Rockets player turned 42 a week ago. So this was an excellent opportunity to remember how great he was and how high his fellow players were on him. Kobe, of course, was one of those.
“Ball is life” shared a series of posts about T-Mac on social media, including where he and the Black Mamba were arguing over the result of a 1-on-1 game. Talking with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols, the players had different versions of what happened.
While McGrady said they weren’t keeping the game’s score, Kobe said they were and even dared to say he beat his friend 11-3.
😂 Tracy McGrady & Kobe Bryant arguing about the day Kobe beat T-Mac one-on-one “11-3”pic.twitter.com/IyBefy8mlO
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 24, 2021
KB24 always praised McGrady, even naming him the most challenging player he faced during his career. Their battles were epic, and even though McGrady couldn’t lead a team to the NBA championship, he retired as one of the most talented players in the league during the 2000s.
"The guy that always gave me the most problems was Tracy McGrady…He could do everything I could do but he was taller." – Kobe Bryantpic.twitter.com/T12urxVrCV
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 24, 2021
As soon as he entered the league, he showed all his qualities with the Raptors. After a tumultuous exit, T-Mac continued with the Orlando Magic and then the Houston Rockets, where he lived his last good moments in the association.
When McGrady was an 18-year-old rookie, Coach Darrell Walker said T-Mac would be out of the league in three seasons.
He averaged 20 PTS over 15 seasons and ended up in the Basketball Hall of Fame. pic.twitter.com/DODiT7uct6
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 24, 2021
Current NBA stars know this man was a problem. Kevin Durant labeled him as ‘unstoppable’ for his capacity to torch teams every night.
"T-Mac could do it all. Don't get it twisted. He was booked in for 30/6/6 every night. Nobody could stop him."
– Kevin Durant on 2 x Scoring Champ Tracy McGrady
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) May 24, 2021
Tracy was just something else. It’s too bad that injuries didn’t respect him, which hurt his chances to have a better career. Still, the things we watched from the Hall of Famer were great, and those stories with Kobe and the way former and current players talk about him are the prime sample that he was something special.
