Tracy McGrady was the player we always wondered what could’ve been if the injuries didn’t plague his career. McGrady started his dominance with the Orlando Magic, winning scoring titles and a most improved player award. The Rockets traded for McGrady in 2004 so they could pair them with their dominant center Yao Ming to become a “big two”.
13 in 35 might be the most incredible moment for TMac and his one of the Rockets best highlights. Injuries were obviously a problem for the Rockets two Hall of Fame stars as Yao dealt with foot issues, and TMac dealing with multiple leg injuries. The duo had the ability to be paired to become the most dominant players in the NBA, but they just never could catch a break from the injury plague. McGrady finished his Rockets career in 2009 after the playoffs against the Trail Blazers.
This year’s Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class includes McGrady, knowing how dominant he was as a player. He might’ve not had the greatest postseason performances, but they knew about his regular season dominance. Out of all the other players and coaches added this year, TMac is obviously the biggest name who deserves to go in. TMacs career was a lot of “what if’s” and this may anger some people who want specific people ot of the hall of fame (just like last year with Yao), but there is no question TMac was dominant in his own era, and was a top 5 players in the league. Morey had a quote about TMac which he told the Chronicle:
"He was one of the best to ever do it. People get into rings, rings, rings, rings when they judge players. It's ridiculous when you look at the great players who haven't won championships. Every playoff, he elevated his game in a big way. That's the true nature of a superstar, a guy who can get better when the competition gets better. That's extraordinarily difficult."
After Friday, the Rockets will have 2 players in the Hall of Fame that were in the 00’s era. Not too shabby for a team who didn’t have great post season success.
