Speaking on the Nightcap podcast, McGrady did not overcomplicate it. “It’s money, it’s money bro. Did you realize like in the 90s, Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan, they were only making $2-3 million? And they were the top guys, I don’t think anybody making $2-3 million dollars in the league right now. These guys making so much money.”

“It’s the money and how the league has really catered to the players. They made the league soft for these guys, trying to cut the 82 games now, trying to go from 82 to 72. I think it’s just all the other stuff of babying and coddling the players when they are making all this money. It has to be that the players got so much.” McGrady said.

Is McGrady’s point valid

The answer is yes. Salaries have increased significantly to the point where a role player can earn what Michael Jordan made during his era. However, this is also a result of the growth of both the NBA and the sport itself, although there is also an argument that the league has become overly commercial.

In 1991, the average NBA salary was roughly $870,000. The minimum salary during the 1990 to 1991 season ranged between $100,000 and $130,000. At the top end, Larry Bird led the league at around $7 million, which was considered massive at the time.

Today, the scale is completely different. The average NBA salary is now close to $11.9 million, and even the lowest entry point has increased significantly. The rookie minimum for the 2025 to 2026 season is projected at $1,272,870, already exceeding what many established players earned decades ago.

At the top level, Stephen Curry is making close to $59 million in a single season, nearly eight times what Bird earned as the highest-paid player in 1991. Several other stars are also making over $50 million, and that number is expected to continue rising every year.

Tracy McGrady credited former Orlando Magic star Penny Hardaway as a defining force in his career, explaining that meeting the four-time All-Star guard helped shape his path to NBA stardom.

In a recent appearance on Gilbert Arenas’ Gil’s Arena, McGrady reflected on Hardaway’s impact during his teenage years in Central Florida. “I was a Pippen fan, I was a Magic Johnson fan, I liked big guards,” McGrady said. “But when Penny came to Orlando, that’s different. Growing up 30 minutes from there, this was my favorite team at the time. I was in high school, and I identified right away with his skill set, his personality, everything.”

“Just quiet, laid-back, quiet killer. To see how he moved and how he played was poetry in motion,” McGrady added. “So smooth, the IQ, the vision, the passing ability, being able to score inside, outside, left hand, right hand, left shoulder, right shoulder, everything you wanted from a basketball player. He was the prototype.”

McGrady’s arrival in Orlando

McGrady entered the NBA as the No. 9 overall pick in the 1997 draft by the Toronto Raptors. After three seasons in Toronto, he returned home to Florida in 2000, joining the Magic on a seven-year, $92.8 million sign-and-trade deal. His choice to wear the No. 1 jersey — previously worn by Hardaway — underscored the connection between the two players.

Hardaway emerged in the 1990s as one of the NBA’s most electrifying guards, pairing with Shaquille O’Neal to lead Orlando to the 1995 NBA Finals. His combination of size, court vision, and scoring ability inspired countless young players, including McGrady.

Admiration for Hardaway and Jordan

The seven-time NBA All-Star recalled a defining personal moment when Hardaway welcomed him into his home as a teenager. McGrady also drew a striking comparison between his admiration for Hardaway and the way fans look up to Michael Jordan.

“I’m 17 years old. When I go back to Penny’s crib, that did something to me. It opened the door,” McGrady said. “I’m looking at my idol. I just couldn’t believe that I’m at Penny Hardaway’s house.”

“He’s right in front of me. This is somebody — like how a Michael Jordan fan looks at MJ, that’s how I looked at Penny Hardaway. And I’m at his house. That moment impacted me moving forward in my career. To this day, Penny is my dude, my brother. I love him just for that reason, allowing me to come to his crib, because that shaped my career.”

“If Bron got introduced to the triangle at an early age, Bron would have expanded his game tremendously… He’s not as fast or uber athletic like he once was. But if we take Bron who he is now, with the athleticism, speed, and everything, agility, and put him in that triangle, learning that, I don’t think there’s any question who the greatest player would be,” Tracy McGrady said, via Gil’s arena podcast.

Phil Jackson’s Chicago Bulls epitomized the offensive triangle, ascending to legendary status by clinching six championships in a decade and showcasing unparalleled dominance. Michael Jordan even emphasized this scheme’s significance, stating, “The Triangle kept everybody occupied, doing their roles. It gave me opportunities in the post… When I involved John Paxson or Steve Kerr, it was built on the Triangle,” he said, via GQ in 2007.

A key principle of the offensive triangle strategy was ensuring that one player always had support from two teammates, creating a series of triangles that suggested numerical superiority in positional attacks. While Michael Jordan mentioned in GQ that this strategy excelled with players like him or Kobe Bryant, it’s intriguing to imagine how a cerebral player like LeBron James, with his dominant court presence, could have thrived under this scheme.

Is LeBron James’ place in the NBA GOAT debate still being questioned?

Despite Michael Jordan often dominates the GOAT debate, LeBron James’ remarkable longevity and impact make him a formidable contender. Not only has James clinched four championships, but he also holds the all-time scoring record. Moreover, his exceptional basketball IQ has propelled him to become a well-rounded player, further solidifying his legacy.

Even while continuing to play, James’ achievements already evoke Hall of Fame status, having worn the legendary jacket. Though some give the GOAT edge to Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant, many former NBA players, including Greg Oden, assert that LeBron’s legacy will become indisputable upon retirement. They often believe that truly grasping his impact may only be possible once the league feels his absence, underscoring his profound influence on the game.

Carmelo Anthony, then a rising star with the Denver Nuggets, should have won Rookie of the Year over LeBron James, according to McGrady. Anthony, who now has a new gig lined up for the 2025–26 season, continues to host 7PM in Brooklyn, where McGrady recently appeared and revisited the hotly debated rookie race between James and Anthony.

Reflecting on that 2003 NBA season, McGrady pointed out the contrast in team success. While LeBron failed to take the Cleveland Cavaliers to the postseason, Anthony led the Nuggets to a playoff berth — a major accomplishment for any rookie. That context, McGrady suggested, should have tipped the scales.

“You knew Melo, Bron, and those dudes were gonna be tough,” McGrady said on 7PM in Brooklyn. “Honestly, I mean, no shade to anybody, but I thought [Carmelo] should have won Rookie of the Year because you took your team to the playoffs. That is a tremendous accomplishment for a rookie to come in, have that spotlight on him like that, and to get slighted on Rookie of the Year — I ain’t like that at all.”

McGrady recalled how Anthony’s physical style immediately set him apart in Denver. The former Magic and Rockets star believed from the start that Carmelo had the tools to be elite — not just in talent, but in mentality.

“I knew he was gonna be tough because right away, you seen the physicality on the offensive end,” McGrady added. “Typically, young guys come in and they try to ease their way. This m*** was like a bruiser. You had to withstand that for 40 minutes of hell. I admired that young core coming in and being who they were at that time.”

He continued, “You talk about Kobe, AI, myself, and Vince — and now we got some young energy coming in this m*** that’s confident, aggressive, and got game.”

Ultimately, LeBron James was named the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year. He would go on to lead the Cavaliers to their first NBA Finals appearance in 2007, cementing his legacy early in what would become a legendary career.

Still, McGrady’s comments reflect a long-standing sentiment among fans and former players: that Carmelo’s rookie campaign was more than worthy of the award — especially considering the playoff impact he made with the Nuggets that season.

Reflecting on some of the NBA’s greatest “what if” scenarios, Shaq responded to recent comments from McGrady, who admitted he never felt fully supported during his prime years. O’Neal not only agreed but doubled down with bold statements of his own, opening the door to a conversation about how many rings he might’ve collected with different stars by his side.

“But see, you gotta understand, when T-Mac was out there by himself, he didn’t really have room to operate,” Shaq explained. “Our guy had room because I had three people on me, right? You got three people on me.”

“T-Mac was getting double-, triple-, even quadruple-teamed. And you know, Kenny Smith always says Kobe didn’t get double- and triple-teamed a lot—he was free to roam and do his thing. So what T-Mac said, I believe it’s true. T-Mac was a bad boy.”

McGrady’s career remains one of the NBA’s great “what could have been” stories. Largely due to a lack of team support and injuries, he never made it past the first round of the playoffs until the very end of his career. But O’Neal made clear that McGrady’s individual talent was never in question—and with the right help, he could have reached legendary heights.

“So I agree with what T-Mac said,” Shaq continued. “Probably get a lot of flack, but I always say to myself—I think I could’ve got three in a row with T-Mac. I think I could’ve got two with Vince. Oh, I know I’d get six with Steph.”

O’Neal’s confidence is nothing new, but the specifics of his hypothetical championship haul grabbed attention. He believes a prime pairing with McGrady could have mirrored his iconic three-peat with Kobe Bryant from 2000 to 2002. As for Vince Carter, O’Neal claimed two rings would’ve been well within reach, praising the athleticism and scoring power Carter brought to the court.

But it was his statement about Stephen Curry that turned heads. Imagining what it would have been like to share the floor with the greatest shooter of all time, Shaq didn’t hesitate: six titles. Given how Curry’s gravity reshapes defenses, it’s hard to disagree. Defenders would have faced a nightmare scenario: leave Curry open and get burned, or double Shaq and allow Curry to exploit the space.

That duo—Curry and Shaq—might have been unstoppable. It’s the kind of pairing that could’ve forced the league to change the rules. With Curry stretching the floor and O’Neal dominating the paint, it’s no stretch to say they’d have redefined how the game was played—and potentially broken the sport in the process.

As Shaq sees it, elite scorers thrive when paired with dominant interior forces. If those scorers also happen to be playmakers like McGrady, athletic phenoms like Carter, or tactical revolutionaries like Curry, then NBA championship banners are all but guaranteed.

For every superstar with shoe deals and highlight reels, there are players who quietly put together impactful careers without the same level of recognition. These were competitors who may not have received national attention, but whose talent and competitiveness earned deep respect from their peers.

McGrady, a seven-time All-Star and two-time scoring champion, recently took time to acknowledge some of the most underrated players he faced during his career. “Man, I got a couple,” McGrady said when asked to name the most overlooked opponents. He didn’t hesitate in listing names that may not appear on many all-time lists — but left a lasting impression on him.

“Jamal Mashburn, Cuttino Mobley, Ricky Davis — those guys were really good,” McGrady said. “They were highlight players that nobody talks about. But Jamal Mashburn and Cuttino Mobley were underrated hoopers for me. And another one — Peja Stojaković! I hated guarding him. Hated guarding Peja. Oh man, he was unbelievable. Un-freaking-believable.”

Jamal Mashburn, Mobley, Davis, and Peja: Quiet Legends

Jamal Mashburn, nicknamed “Monster Mash,” was one of the most explosive scorers of the 1990s. Drafted fourth overall by the Dallas Mavericks in 1993, Mashburn averaged more than 19 points per game in his rookie year and was part of the Mavericks’ “Three J’s” core with Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson. His peak came with the Charlotte/New Orleans Hornets, where he earned an All-Star nod in 2003 before injuries shortened a career that deserved more recognition.

Cuttino Mobley carved out a highly productive NBA run as a high-IQ, sharpshooting guard. Selected in the second round by the Houston Rockets in 1998, Mobley quickly rose to starter status and formed a dynamic backcourt alongside Steve Francis. Known for his shot creation, perimeter accuracy, and defensive versatility, Mobley made stops with the Rockets, Clippers, and Magic, consistently delivering on both ends of the floor.

Ricky Davis, one of the league’s most electrifying and unpredictable players in the 2000s, became known for his scoring prowess and athleticism. He played for several teams, including the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Heat, and averaged over 20 points per game in the 2002–03 season with Cleveland. While Davis was often surrounded by controversy — notably when he tried to record a triple-double by rebounding his own missed shot — his raw talent was never in doubt.

Peja Stojaković was one of the NBA’s first great international sharpshooters. The Serbian-born forward helped elevate the Sacramento Kings into contention during the early 2000s, forming a potent duo with Chris Webber. A three-time All-Star and a 2002 All-NBA selection, Stojaković was revered for his quick release, deep shooting range, and free-throw accuracy. He capped off his NBA journey by winning a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011, solidifying his role in the league’s international evolution and the rise of the modern stretch four.

In a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast, McGrady didn’t hold back in his admiration. “I think he’s incredible,” McGrady said. “Because he’s the MVP of the league, I think he’s really put a spotlight on, ‘Yo, you ain’t got to shoot all those threes.’ We can get here in the in-between game and make something happen. When the game gets tough, I can play around the free-throw line and get to my spot.” McGrady emphasized how Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot selection reflects a more deliberate, efficient approach.

“He’s playing basketball the way Kobe [Bryant] played it, the way [Michael Jordan] played it,” McGrady added. “In-between game is what I see from Shai… He’s not settling for threes.” It’s a flattering comparison — and not an unfair one. Gilgeous-Alexander’s ability to score efficiently from the midrange is increasingly rare in today’s three-point-heavy game. Still, he has more to prove before being placed in the same breath as Jordan or Bryant.

One thing is certain: Gilgeous-Alexander is making his mark on the 2025 NBA Finals. For much of Game 4, the Indiana Pacers had managed to contain him, and it appeared the Thunder were headed for a 3–1 deficit. But the MVP stepped up in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma City began targeting Aaron Nesmith in pick-and-roll actions, and the results were devastating. Shai scored 15 of the Thunder’s final 16 points in the fourth, powering OKC to a critical 111–104 win that evened the series at two games apiece.

It was a signature MVP moment. Gilgeous-Alexander once again showed why he’s the heartbeat of the Thunder. When the game slowed down and everything was on the line, he relied on the most old-school part of his game — his midrange jumper — to get the job done.

While the three-point shot remains a tool in his arsenal, Shai’s biggest shots in crunch time didn’t come from deep. In fact, his only made three in the final minutes simply trimmed the Pacers’ lead to one. The go-ahead bucket — a smooth midrange jumper from the left baseline — gave Oklahoma City a 104–103 lead they never relinquished.

As for the Pacers, they’ve put together a strong and disciplined campaign throughout the playoffs. But the lack of a consistent go-to scorer remains a concern. Indiana doesn’t have a player who can match Gilgeous-Alexander’s shot creation and scoring volume late in close games, which could prove costly as the series progresses.

Andrew Nembhard has earned praise for his defensive effort on Gilgeous-Alexander, but it’s clear the Thunder have found a weakness in the Pacers’ matchups. Aaron Nesmith has struggled to stay in front of the MVP, and Oklahoma City will likely continue to exploit that mismatch in the games ahead. If Indiana can’t find a way to slow him down, Gilgeous-Alexander could be the difference between a NBA title and a near-miss.

McGrady had chosen another player over Irving in the conversation about the best handles in NBA history. “Still love watching Kyrie,” T-Mac said during an appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast. But when asked if the Mavericks guard had the best handle he’s ever seen, the Orlando Magic legend was candid: “I don’t think nobody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie.”

The remark sparked debate among fans about who truly deserves the title of best ball handler in NBA history, with many defending Irving’s case. And now, the 33-year-old guard has spoken on the matter.

“When I see an OG like T-Mac come out and say, ‘I don’t think anybody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie,’ it doesn’t bother me,” the Mavericks star said during a livestream. “Because I’m a mix of all the great players that came before me.”

Rather than dismissing the comparison, Irving embraced it, acknowledging that many of the players from earlier generations inspired his own style when he was learning the game. “You gotta understand, I wouldn’t be who I am without watching all the guys that came before me… When it comes to every portion of my game, I feel like I try my best to pay homage to all the greats that came before me,” he said.

Still, Kyrie made it clear that when it comes to ball handling, he sees himself on a level of his own. “I just took it to a whole different place,” he explained. “So, when he’s talking like this, I know he’s talking about one of the guys that he’s seen that has better handles, but I just don’t think that he has the same movement. Jamaal Tinsley was not moving like me. I don’t think anybody moves like me.”

The 2016 NBA champion with the Cleveland Cavaliers went on to explain how he developed his unique skills with the ball in hand. “I think we have similarities, others have similarities and they’ve advanced different things,” he said, referring to past greats. “But me, creating a foundation on like just really teaching this generation how to still be having the street ball game… I play like I grew up outside, which I did. I grew up playing on a playground, I just happened to make it to the league and the pros.”

McGrady didn’t shy away from acknowledging Irving’s greatness. In a recent appearance on The Old Man and the Three podcast, hosted by J.J. Redick and Tommy Alter, McGrady praised Dallas player but also made a bold claim—there’s one player he believes had better ball-handling skills.

“Still love watching Kyrie [Irving],” he said. Host Tommy Alter asked him, “Is there anyone you have seen with a handle like that?” to which McGrady said, “Yeah. Jamaal Tinsley. … I don’t think nobody had better handles than Jamaal Tinsley, even Kyrie.”

That answer might raise eyebrows across NBA circles. Irving is widely considered one of the most creative and unpredictable dribblers the league has ever seen, with many current and former players putting him atop that list. But McGrady’s choice of Tinsley—a name often overlooked in these discussions—adds an intriguing wrinkle to the ongoing conversation.

Jamaal Tinsley’s journey

Jamaal Tinsley crafted a memorable NBA career defined by his exceptional ball-handling and basketball instincts. Selected 27th overall in the 2001 NBA Draft by the Vancouver Grizzlies and immediately traded to the Indiana Pacers, Tinsley made his presence felt early. As a rookie, he averaged 9.4 points, 8.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game, earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2002. His streetball-inspired flair brought excitement and unpredictability to Indiana’s backcourt.

Tinsley remained a key part of the Pacers’ core throughout the early 2000s. As the starting point guard, he helped lead Indiana through multiple playoff runs, including a trip to the 2004 Eastern Conference Finals under head coach Rick Carlisle. Though injuries and roster changes occasionally limited his minutes, Tinsley was widely respected for his ability to control tempo and find open teammates in tight spaces.

After parting ways with the Pacers in 2008, Tinsley had brief stints with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Utah Jazz. Though his role was reduced in the later stages of his career, he remained a savvy floor general and a mentor to younger players. His time in Utah during the 2012–2013 season marked the end of his NBA journey, but his legacy as a ball-handling wizard endured.

Across 11 NBA seasons and 547 games, Tinsley averaged 8.5 points, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. He never made an All-Star team, but his playground creativity, vision, and ability to orchestrate an offense left a lasting impression. A proud product of New York City’s legendary streetball scene, Tinsley brought that same swagger to the NBA—a point guard remembered not just for flash, but for feel and finesse.

While the Hall of Famer acknowledged, during an appearance on the Makeshift Project podcast, that James has been one of the NBA’s greatest players for over two decades, he still thinks the league’s all-time leading scorer would struggle in a one-on-one setting.

“I think LeBron has been amazing for 22 freaking years. And he’s been the best basketball player for, you know, God knows how long. But if you put him in one-on-one? I think he’ll get crushed,” McGrady said. “I think he’ll get crushed amongst guys who are actually in the NBA, and I’m sure LeBron will tell you that”.

According to the former Houston Rockets star, LeBron’s game is tailored for team basketball rather than one-on-one matchups—unlike players such as Kobe Bryant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, who thrive in isolation.

“His game is naturally built for five-on-five,” McGrady continued. “He’s not a one-on-one basketball player. Kobe is a one-on-one basketball player, Kyrie is a one-on-one basketball player, James Harden. These guys are one-on-one basketball players. LeBron can’t do anything with that”.

1-on-1 specialists aren’t always the biggest stars

The seven-time NBA All-Star argues that the league’s best players aren’t the only ones who excel in one-on-one matchups. In fact, he believes there are overlooked players who truly stand out in this skill.

“So I don’t know. I just know — we always name the big-name guys, but there are some guys out there that you don’t think about, that really can play one-on-one basketball,” he noted.

Is LeBron James truly an elite 1-on-1 scorer?

Despite being the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, even James himself has never identified as a pure scorer. “I don’t like being singled out as a scorer. I’ve always prided myself in being a pass-first guy — a guy who can make everybody feel comfortable,” James told ESPN in a 2023 interview before breaking the league’s scoring record.

While James currently ranks fourth on the NBA’s all-time assist leaderboard, his unique blend of size, athleticism, and skill has still made him an elite scorer. Even if his one-on-one game isn’t as flashy as Harden’s or Kevin Durant’s, his effectiveness is undeniable—averaging 27 points per game over 22 seasons in the league.

The challenge’s first category was shooting, where the options included Shaquille O’Neal ($1), Yao Ming ($1), Tracy McGrady himself ($3), Damian Lillard ($4), and Stephen Curry ($5). At first, McGrady confidently chose Shaq—until he was reminded the category was about shooting, not size or dominance. Laughing at his mistake, he quickly pivoted: “Oh, shooting? Give me $5 Steph.”

For passing, McGrady had to choose between Clint Capela ($1), Carmelo Anthony ($2), Michael Jordan ($3), LeBron James ($4), and Nikola Jokić ($5). Without hesitation, he selected Jokić, recognizing the Denver Nuggets superstar’s elite playmaking ability.

Then came handles, and this is where McGrady’s choices took an unexpected turn. The available players were Zaza Pachulia ($1), Steve Novak ($2), Tim Duncan ($3), Steve Francis ($4), and Kyrie Irving ($5). Rather than selecting the flashy and widely regarded Kyrie Irving, McGrady opted for Duncan—known for his NBA fundamentals but not his dribbling skills.

For defense, he was left with just $2 to spend, forcing him to pick between Sister Jean ($1), Trae Young ($2), Draymond Green ($3), Gary Payton ($4), and Victor Wembanyama ($5). With limited options, he had no choice but to select Trae Young—widely criticized for his defensive struggles—a pick that immediately became a talking point.

McGrady’s selections and his own playing style

Examining his choices, McGrady’s approach to the challenge reflected his appreciation for skill and basketball IQ over raw athleticism. His preference for Curry’s shooting, Jokić’s passing, and Duncan’s fundamentals aligned with how he played the game—an elite scorer who relied on finesse, vision, and efficiency rather than brute force.

While McGrady’s $15 Challenge selections may not have built the most well-rounded player, they undoubtedly sparked discussion. Whether he was trolling for laughs or offering genuine insight, his picks provided a fascinating look into how one of the game’s most gifted scorers views basketball’s evolving landscape.