Tracy McGrady: On Jay-Z Love, the Lost Magic Dynasty, and Why LeBron Is Unmatched

To be recognized by the greats in any field is a sign of arrival, and for McGrady, having his favorite artist, Jay-Z, mention him in multiple tracks, including the popular Freeway song ‘What We Do,’ was profound.

“To have your favorite artist to give you a shoutout in a couple of songs I mean, that’s love,” McGrady said. “It shows love and shows that you appreciate the craft you portray out there.”

When he first heard the iconic line that often mentions him alongside Kobe Bryant, McGrady was at home in Orlando, his phone “blowing up” with messages—a clear indicator of the massive cultural impact of the recognition.

A Dunk for the Ages, Held Back by Respect

One of the most ferocious highlights of McGrady’s career was his unforgettable dunk over the towering Shawn Bradley. Yet, when compiling his top highlights for a Verzuz battle with Allen Iverson, McGrady notably left it out.

“I don’t know if you know what happened to Shawn Bradley; he’s paralyzed now so just out of respect for him I didn’t want to show that highlight,” McGrady explained. Despite his decision, he recognizes its place in history: “That was one of those moments in my career that will live on forever.”

Defining His Brand: “Cool, Street, Hip”

McGrady was instrumental in the design and messaging behind his signature Adidas gear. For T-Mac, the process was all about authenticity.

“You gotta be in that planning process because you want it to be what resonates with you as an individual and your character,” he noted. “For me it was all about my personality and what message did I want to portray out there about me.”

His brand was intentional: “it was cool, it was street, it was hip, it was our culture… but it was also me.” McGrady contrasted his style with his own quiet competitive streak: “I’m not loud… I’m one of those guys that in the midst of everyone grabbing the rebound, I’m shooting an elbow so nobody can see it? [laughs]… that’s me.”

Inspiring the Next Generation—If They Watch

McGrady is often seen by younger players as this generation’s Penny Hardaway, a comparison he understands. He, too, idolized Penny.

“Penny? He brought something different to the game; being a 6’7” point guard extremely smooth, just poetry in motion when he played,” McGrady recalled.

He sees being an inspiration as his legacy: “It’s what we do and how we do it and what we want to leave behind and inspire the next generation.” However, McGrady has concerns about how the game is learned today.

“Guys nowadays don’t watch the game bruh. Now they’re looking at video clips,” he laments. This lack of full-game viewing led him to start his own league, giving the Gen-Z audience short-form content because they “can’t sit down and watch 2 ½ hours of a sporting event.”

The Dynasty That Never Was: Duncan, Hill, and the Planes

McGrady’s career is defined by tantalizing “what-ifs,” but none is bigger than the near-signing of Tim Duncan to the Orlando Magic in 2000, which would have paired him with Grant Hill.

“Oh it was REAL! I was actually the third wheel. It was Grant Hill and Tim Duncan before it was me,” McGrady revealed.

The prevailing rumor for why Duncan didn’t sign centers on then-coach Doc Rivers reportedly refusing to allow players’ significant others to fly on the team plane to some road games. “If that WAS the case, shame on Doc Rivers,” McGrady joked, before adding with genuine regret, “mannnn… that could’ve been a DYNASTY.”

Despite Hill’s injury woes, McGrady believes a healthy Grant Hill added to the mix would have made them an instant contender. “There’s NO doubt that we would’ve played for a championship.”

The Kobe Rivalry: From Friends to Competitors

McGrady and Kobe Bryant were close friends who entered the league just a year apart, but their relationship was built on a deep, mutual competitive drive.

“We both knew how to compartmentalize being friends and competitors,” McGrady explained. Once Michael Jordan retired, Kobe set the new standard for perimeter players. “He was the bar… I felt like I had potential to reach that level.”

McGrady credits Kobe’s rigorous work ethic with rubbing off on him. He recalls seeing Kobe’s intense daily training while they were in Paris, which was eye-opening for McGrady, who didn’t grow up around the professional mindset. “He was just a different build man… a different breed.”

When they hung out, the legend was just a regular guy who loved karate flicks and the early Michael Jordan documentaries (‘Come Fly With Me,’ ‘Jordan’s Playground’). And, of course, Wu-Tang Clan and Lauryn Hill’salbum were the soundtrack to their time in Paris.

MJ vs. LeBron: The G.O.A.T. Conversation

McGrady is tired of the notion that LeBron James should be penalized in the G.O.A.T. debate simply because he patterned his game after Michael Jordan.

“He’s MORE skilled than MJ,” McGrady asserts. “What this man accomplished is GOAT-worthy having thrown him in the conversation.”

For McGrady, the discussion needs to evolve beyond choosing a single greatest of all time. “LeBron is a GOAT in his era because he’s been the best player for God knows how long; MJ was the best player in his era,” he stated.

Ultimately, McGrady believes LeBron is an unparalleled entity. “LeBron is LeBron. There’s NOBODY like LeBron James and I don’t know if there ever will be.” He describes LeBron as “a brute man. He’s Karl Malone with a LOT more skills” and marvels at his longevity, especially his play in Year 19: “Move out the way MJ ‘cause ‘Bron this year was incredible at the offensive end.”