Bleacher Report has a lengthy feature today on former NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady, whose injury-plagued career came to an end in 2013 as a bench warmer for the San Antonio Spurs. T-Mac, the former high school phenom who skipped college and became one of the best players in the NBA in the early-to-mid-2000s, has dabbled in a few ventures since leaving the NBA. He fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a professional baseball player (with the Sugarland Skeeters), treating his non-millionaire teammates to fancy dinners, before ultimately retiring following his first career strike out.
The story also discusses his business aspirations (think Magic Johnson), and his plan to advise athletes on how to manage their money — something T-Mac admits he struggled with at times during his career.
But, as a 35-year-old who still shoots 500 three-pointers in a typical gym session, T-Mac still believe he has something left in the tank as a basketball player:
“My body is still in shape. I can go. It’s about opportunity, though. … I want no limits on who I am and what I can do, not stand in the corner and shoot jump shots,” he says. “I want to be involved, that’s not saying 10 to 15 shots, I want to be involved. I don’t want to stand in the corner and shoot threes. That’s not me.”
The ideal team, T-Mac says, would be the Lakers. The Lakers are inexperienced. The Lakers need players. He could be the second star the Lakers must have to go with Bryant.
“This Kobe,” he says. “I could play with him.”
If only T-Mac could find a team that agrees with him. Even (Orlando Magic vice president Pat) Williams, who fondly remembers the back-to-back NBA scoring titles McGrady had for his Magic a decade ago, sighs softly when asked about the comeback.
“Tracy has milked every bit of basketball talent out of his body,” Williams says. “There’s nothing left.”
T-Mac begs to differ:
Still McGrady pushes through these workouts, because after 15 months away from the NBA there is something in these jump shots. His body feels young again.
The back spasms that sabotaged his prime seasons are gone. The left knee pain that took away his speed has disappeared. He is fresh. He is certain if he works extra hard and gets into what he calls “tip-top” shape, he can matter for a team again.
“I’m better than half the damn league, anyway,” he will later grumble.
[BR]
