Done Deal: Charlotte Hornets Sign A Big Contract With Kentucky Espn Report….
BY ROD BOONE| MARCUS DORSEY MAY 14, 2024 AT 8:49 PM NBA Draft prospects discuss their journeys to the media during the NBA Draft Combine on Tuesday.
McGrady sparks debate, questioning if championships truly define greatness, citing individual talent and luck’s role in shaping legacies.
Tracy McGrady’s perspective on measuring a player’s greatness stirred up a significant debate in the basketball community. McGrady posited that luck plays a substantial role in shaping a player’s legacy and that winning isn’t the sole criterion for greatness. He highlighted the subjective nature of greatness and how different players’ careers can be influenced by various factors, including the teams they play for.
“The best way to measure a player’s greatness, I really think it’s all subjective. Luck has a lot to do with this, man. In media and fans’ eyes today, greatness is measured by winning.”
“Through my lens or through a lens of Charles Barkley, through the lens of Patrick Ewing and Reggie Miller and Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, those guys are greatness.”
“Although they didn’t win, I didn’t have the luxury of playing with Shaq like Kobe played with Shaq for his three championships. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson and KD, those guys teamed up and got two championships together.”
“As great as Steph Curry is, put him on a team like the Charlotte Hornets. Let’s say he played with the Hornets his whole career and we know how bad the Hornets organization has been. Are we still talking about Steph Curry as top 10 player of all time? No, it’s luck, man. So I don’t define it by winning.”
McGrady emphasized that while many fans and media outlets prioritize championships when evaluating greatness, this perspective overlooks the individual talent and impact of players who may not have won titles.
He cited examples like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, and Carmelo Anthony, all of whom are widely regarded as great players despite not winning NBA championships.
The former NBA star drew attention to the significance of circumstances and team dynamics in shaping a player’s legacy. McGrady specifically pointed to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant, who achieved success with the Golden State Warriors, a team renowned for its strong organizational structure and talented roster.
McGrady posed a hypothetical scenario wherein Curry, the greatest shooter in NBA history, played for a struggling franchise like the Charlotte Hornets throughout his career. He suggested that Curry’s legacy might not be as illustrious if he hadn’t benefited from the strong supporting cast and winning culture of the Warriors.
By raising this scenario, McGrady challenged the notion that championships are the sole measure of a player’s greatness. Instead, he underscored the importance of acknowledging individual talent, skill, and impact on the game, independent of team success.
