Tracy McGrady was a unique force of nature in his prime and will always go down as one of the best players to never win a championship in NBA history. He was a seven-time All-Star, was selected in All-NBA teams seven times, and won two scoring titles in his career.
He was one of the rare breed of guards in the NBA who are above 6’6″ in height, like Magic Johnson (6’8″), Penny Hardaway (6’7″) or even Michael Jordan (6’6″). The league listed McGrady’s height as 6’8″ during his rookie year. Kevin Garnett, the NBA legend, recently spoke to McGrady on his show about how he felt that was inaccurate right after his rookie season.
“You know what’s even more crazy? I can remember you being 6’8″, and then the next time I think I played you in Toronto, bro, you was like 6’11”! I said man listen man, no, no, no, dude is not 6’9″,” said Garnett.
“You don’t even understand this, bro. When I walk around, when I’m at these events with my kids, man. People can’t believe how tall I am,” responded McGrady.
“I get it. We think you’re 6’7″ or 6’8″ bro, you’re really like 6’11” on some other sh**,” reacted Garnett hilariously. Garnett went on to joke about wishing he were 7’3″ despite being 6’11”, like he’s not tall enough already.
“When I stand up against, you know, Juwan Howard, who’s supposed to be 6’9′ or 6’10″… I’m eye-to-eye with these cats, man. So yeah, I was listed at 6’8″ my whole career, but I think I’m taller,” concluded McGrady.
Tracy McGrady played 15 seasons for 7 teams, including the Rockets and Magic. He averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists in 938 regular-season games and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
Why Tracy McGrady Never Won An NBA Championship
Despite an illustrious NBA career, Tracy McGrady always faced tough luck when it came to winning a championship. He was arguably on two teams where he could have contended for the title.
In his initial stretch with the Orlando Magic from 2001-2004, he was teamed up with the likes of Grant Hill and Juwan Howard. But they never went beyond the first round of the Playoffs, let alone challenge Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal in their prime era.
When he was traded to the Rockets in 2005, he was at the prime of his NBA career. His famous ’13 points in 35 seconds’ run came during this season. This was considered his best chance at winning an NBA championship. Until 2008, the Rockets were considered a strong contender with the duo of McGrady and Yao Ming. But both Ming and McGrady suffered multiple injuries during this time, resulting in them missing long stretches through the season and never progressing beyond their first-round matchup with the Utah Jazz.
Therefore, McGrady’s prime was cursed and riddled with injuries. And hence, he could never win an NBA title.
