[jaycee24Participant]

 I was just talking about the late 90s early 00s Nba with a group of friends and we agreed that there was a time when TMac seemed to be the BEST swingman in the league. Now we had the shoes, bands and all so we may be bias. I’m from Michigan born in 92, I was wondering if people my age or anyone for that matter thought that way because it seems like people forget how amazing he was in Orlando. I know there’s alot of Kobe people out there but you could definitely say T Mac was right there with him in his prime.

[TRC1991Participant]

8 seasons in a row over 21.6 ppg…Injuries slowed him down, as the apex of his career was rather short-lived, but boy was he a stud. 

 

Thought he should have won the MVP in 2003 when he averaged 32, 6.5, 5.5

 

 

[TRC1991Participant]

8 seasons in a row over 21.6 ppg…Injuries slowed him down, as the apex of his career was rather short-lived, but boy was he a stud. 

 

Thought he should have won the MVP in 2003 when he averaged 32, 6.5, 5.5

 

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 For some reason he seemed to be more exciting in Orlando than in Houston, not sure why. 

I remember that Pistons-Magic series in the ’02-’03 playoffs, I think it was a 1-8 matchup. T-Mac was phenomenal. I know the series went seven and McGrady was unreal.

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 For some reason he seemed to be more exciting in Orlando than in Houston, not sure why. 

I remember that Pistons-Magic series in the ’02-’03 playoffs, I think it was a 1-8 matchup. T-Mac was phenomenal. I know the series went seven and McGrady was unreal.

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

"For some reason he seemed to be more exciting in Orlando than in Houston, not sure why."

The same can be said for Jason Williams’ Sacramento to Memphis move in which he became a more seasoned point guard under Hubie Brown’s care.

Hopefully, Brandon Jennings is the next man up.

 

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

"For some reason he seemed to be more exciting in Orlando than in Houston, not sure why."

The same can be said for Jason Williams’ Sacramento to Memphis move in which he became a more seasoned point guard under Hubie Brown’s care.

Hopefully, Brandon Jennings is the next man up.

 

 

[sheltwon3Participant]

 When Healthy T Mac was more talented than Kobe but Kobe had that fire.  I am a Kobe fan but some people just have a natural ability.  I think Kobe willed himself to be a top player more so than it was natural talent. I am not saying T Mac did not work hard but when T Mac played he could do amazing things and it looked like he was not trying.

[sheltwon3Participant]

 When Healthy T Mac was more talented than Kobe but Kobe had that fire.  I am a Kobe fan but some people just have a natural ability.  I think Kobe willed himself to be a top player more so than it was natural talent. I am not saying T Mac did not work hard but when T Mac played he could do amazing things and it looked like he was not trying.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

There was a time when he amazed us all the time. Great great great scorer. Kobe vs T-Mac used to be debatable.

[King CaluchaParticipant]

There was a time when he amazed us all the time. Great great great scorer. Kobe vs T-Mac used to be debatable.

[asmartin626Participant]

 If he could of stayed healthy, T-Mac would of been one of the greatest of all time. IMO, he was much better than Kobe up until about 04-05 when he started having injury problems. I was born in 91, so I really only caught a little bit of Jordan when he was still dominate…like the last year or 2 with the Bulls. Then it was Wizards. So McGrady was the best player I ever watched with my own eyes as it happened, not including highlights or film of old games. Dude was amazing on both ends of the court

[asmartin626Participant]

 If he could of stayed healthy, T-Mac would of been one of the greatest of all time. IMO, he was much better than Kobe up until about 04-05 when he started having injury problems. I was born in 91, so I really only caught a little bit of Jordan when he was still dominate…like the last year or 2 with the Bulls. Then it was Wizards. So McGrady was the best player I ever watched with my own eyes as it happened, not including highlights or film of old games. Dude was amazing on both ends of the court

[jaycee24Participant]

 Thank you! Lebron is dominant Kobe is so  excellent but nobody quite had what T Mac did. Just a smooth player with soooo much skill. Its so hard to duplicate a player like him because of how athletic and talented at his size plus he added his own flavor out there. Wish he never had any issues because I think he was so special in his day. 

[jaycee24Participant]

 Thank you! Lebron is dominant Kobe is so  excellent but nobody quite had what T Mac did. Just a smooth player with soooo much skill. Its so hard to duplicate a player like him because of how athletic and talented at his size plus he added his own flavor out there. Wish he never had any issues because I think he was so special in his day. 

[jaycee24Participant]

 And yeah I’ll never forget the Pistons series, the thing was though as like a 8 year old I was sick to my stomach because here was my guy T Mac who my dad and uncles are saying has no chance and then before you know it my team had to win 2 in a row against him to win the series. I remember a nail biter in that series being on Easter it was game 6 or 7, one of those sports moments I’ll always remember. 

[jaycee24Participant]

 And yeah I’ll never forget the Pistons series, the thing was though as like a 8 year old I was sick to my stomach because here was my guy T Mac who my dad and uncles are saying has no chance and then before you know it my team had to win 2 in a row against him to win the series. I remember a nail biter in that series being on Easter it was game 6 or 7, one of those sports moments I’ll always remember. 

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

If he had of stayed healthy he would have been one of the greats.

If he had of stayed in Toronto with VC, I would have sold my soul for playoff tickets lol

Insane talent and he made it look effortless.

Damn you Butch Carter!!

[JV’s_pump_fakeParticipant]

If he had of stayed healthy he would have been one of the greats.

If he had of stayed in Toronto with VC, I would have sold my soul for playoff tickets lol

Insane talent and he made it look effortless.

Damn you Butch Carter!!

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I compare TMac to Randy Moss, both athletes just made it look so easy and effortless.

What could have been, if Grant Hill would have stayed healthy during the Magics years. He and TMac could have been the greatest 1-2 punch of all time. Two 25ppg scorer that didnt mind passing/sharing the ball with others. Atleast 2 titles had both played together healthy.

[ilike.panochasParticipant]

I compare TMac to Randy Moss, both athletes just made it look so easy and effortless.

What could have been, if Grant Hill would have stayed healthy during the Magics years. He and TMac could have been the greatest 1-2 punch of all time. Two 25ppg scorer that didnt mind passing/sharing the ball with others. Atleast 2 titles had both played together healthy.

[high floorParticipant]

Tim Duncan was also seriously considering joining orlando at that time. My head hurts just thinking about how great that group could have been. If Hill remained health you have two elite scorers/distributors on the wing plus a prime Tim Duncan in the paint? That’s an all-time great trio

Too many if’s though….

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 If Duncan had gone to Orlando t-mac wouldn’t of. They didn’t have the money to pay all 3. T-mac was the fall back option for Orlando.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 If Duncan had gone to Orlando t-mac wouldn’t of. They didn’t have the money to pay all 3. T-mac was the fall back option for Orlando.

[high floorParticipant]

Tim Duncan was also seriously considering joining orlando at that time. My head hurts just thinking about how great that group could have been. If Hill remained health you have two elite scorers/distributors on the wing plus a prime Tim Duncan in the paint? That’s an all-time great trio

Too many if’s though….

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

I’ve said it many times and I will say it again. T-Mac was the most NATURALLY gifted basketball player to ever play the game.

[TarHeelRavenParticipant]

I’ve said it many times and I will say it again. T-Mac was the most NATURALLY gifted basketball player to ever play the game.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I would’ve said that too until lebron came along.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I would’ve said that too until lebron came along.

[llperez]

He was great and at his prime there was a legit argument between him and Kobe for a couple years from an offensive standpoint. But even then kobes defense and Grittiness attacking the rim gave him the edge over tmac so no I don’t think there was ever a time he was better then Kobe. But tmac was definitely in the discussion. He was so smooth and effortless out there. Could get hot and take over. Long with huge hands so when he would drive it looked like a video game. Another guy that I think in his prime was in that convo with Kobe, tmac, iverson, Durant and Lebron was grant hill. His piston days he was a walking triple, best triple double threat I’ve seen along with Kidd and Lebron

[llperez]

He was great and at his prime there was a legit argument between him and Kobe for a couple years from an offensive standpoint. But even then kobes defense and Grittiness attacking the rim gave him the edge over tmac so no I don’t think there was ever a time he was better then Kobe. But tmac was definitely in the discussion. He was so smooth and effortless out there. Could get hot and take over. Long with huge hands so when he would drive it looked like a video game. Another guy that I think in his prime was in that convo with Kobe, tmac, iverson, Durant and Lebron was grant hill. His piston days he was a walking triple, best triple double threat I’ve seen along with Kidd and Lebron

[asmartin626Participant]

 Kobe was nowhere near as good as McGrady on defense…and McGrady was a better passer. Not to mention the next best player on his team (since Grant Hill didn’t really PLAY) was Mike Miller…then Pat Garrity. Kobe had a championship squad around him and still wasn’t as good. Hell honestly, idk if there was one facet of Kobe’s game that was as good as McGrady at the time. He became a better shooter, but early 2000’s I don’t think he was better. i would put them equal as far as attacking the rim. Kobe always did have a different type of mentality, but that’s the only advantage I would give him. Talent wise, no contest TMac

[llperez]

“Nah, Kobe was nowhere near as good as McGrath on defense” seriously didn’t read another word after this, lmao.

[llperez]

“Nah, Kobe was nowhere near as good as McGrath on defense” seriously didn’t read another word after this, lmao.

[asmartin626Participant]

 Kobe was nowhere near as good as McGrady on defense…and McGrady was a better passer. Not to mention the next best player on his team (since Grant Hill didn’t really PLAY) was Mike Miller…then Pat Garrity. Kobe had a championship squad around him and still wasn’t as good. Hell honestly, idk if there was one facet of Kobe’s game that was as good as McGrady at the time. He became a better shooter, but early 2000’s I don’t think he was better. i would put them equal as far as attacking the rim. Kobe always did have a different type of mentality, but that’s the only advantage I would give him. Talent wise, no contest TMac

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 as a kid, when my vancouver grizzlies packed up and left town my loyalty didnt follow them down to memphis. new team? well we got to see alot of raptor games on tv, Mcgrady’s insane! Grant Hill is gonna play with him down in orlando too? they’ll be the next Jordan Pippen wing combo! 15 years later and as an adult i still dream about what coulda been. mcgrady was effortlessly taking over games sometimes, he just needed some help…

[BEARDED-DRAGONParticipant]

 as a kid, when my vancouver grizzlies packed up and left town my loyalty didnt follow them down to memphis. new team? well we got to see alot of raptor games on tv, Mcgrady’s insane! Grant Hill is gonna play with him down in orlando too? they’ll be the next Jordan Pippen wing combo! 15 years later and as an adult i still dream about what coulda been. mcgrady was effortlessly taking over games sometimes, he just needed some help…

[jaycee24Participant]

 Perfect analogy with the Randy Moss. I thought Moss was the greatest of his time too its hard to really argue Rice and his career but Moss was nearly that special sort of like T Mac

[jaycee24Participant]

 Perfect analogy with the Randy Moss. I thought Moss was the greatest of his time too its hard to really argue Rice and his career but Moss was nearly that special sort of like T Mac

[kobyzParticipant]

 He could have been as good as Lebron if he had Lebron work ethic and mental toughness…

[kobyzParticipant]

 He could have been as good as Lebron if he had Lebron work ethic and mental toughness…

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 He should have stayed in Toronto with Vince.

 

 

[Memphis MadnessParticipant]

 He should have stayed in Toronto with Vince.

 

 

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 it was always AI over tmac back then, but still i was a huge fan of him during his toronto/orlando days. 

 

i wish he would have stayed with vince in canada though.

 

 

[esperanzafleet69Participant]

 it was always AI over tmac back then, but still i was a huge fan of him during his toronto/orlando days. 

 

i wish he would have stayed with vince in canada though.

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 T-Mac at Orlando was a scoring machine and at Houston he maybe became a better all round player and was right up there as one of the very top players in the NBA for maybe 7 years. The sad thing about his career was that injuries really finished hampered and finished his career when he was still in his late 20’s/early 30’s.

Post injury he never really seemed to have a role and to see him scoring in single digits was sad, it was a shame he could not re-invent himself like Grant Hill did. Also T-Mac was drafted when he had just turned 18 so by 2008 he had already played hell of a lot of basketball.

But lets remember the double scoring champion, the 13 points in 35 seconds vs a peak Spurs, the Rockets 22 successive wins he helped the Rockets to in 2007-08. 

 

 

[HitsterParticipant]

 T-Mac at Orlando was a scoring machine and at Houston he maybe became a better all round player and was right up there as one of the very top players in the NBA for maybe 7 years. The sad thing about his career was that injuries really finished hampered and finished his career when he was still in his late 20’s/early 30’s.

Post injury he never really seemed to have a role and to see him scoring in single digits was sad, it was a shame he could not re-invent himself like Grant Hill did. Also T-Mac was drafted when he had just turned 18 so by 2008 he had already played hell of a lot of basketball.

But lets remember the double scoring champion, the 13 points in 35 seconds vs a peak Spurs, the Rockets 22 successive wins he helped the Rockets to in 2007-08. 

 

 

[Author]

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