Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Who will be the Orlando Magic’s next Basketball Hall of Fame inductee?

By Ricky Scricca

Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins inducts Penny Hardaway into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins inducts Penny Hardaway into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame during the first half against the Milwaukee Bucks at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next

Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady is approaching his first chance at Hall of Fame induction this year.

A seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA player, a Most Improved Player award winner, McGrady was one of the best scorers of the 2000s. In four seasons with the Magic, he averaged 28.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 block per game, earning significant MVP shares almost every season and for a few of his Houston Rockets years after.

He is also one of only eight modern players to post a season (2003) with a Player Efficiency Rating better than 30. His 2003 campaign ranks among the best in NBA history – only 21 other players in the shot clock era have posted as many win shares, and they are all either in the Hall of Fame or on track to be. Basketball-Reference gives him a 96 percent chance of induction.

Basketball-Reference gives him a 96 percent chance of induction.

Although he never finished in the top three of MVP voting, McGrady was considered one of the best players in the game in his prime. He is one of only eight players to post a 30-plus points-per-game season after 2000. Not to mention, Kobe Bryant once claimed he was his most difficult opponent to face.

While Grant Hill’s injuries kept him sidelined most of his Magic career, McGrady surpassed even Orlando basketball fans’ wildest expectations, leading the team to three straight playoff berths and becoming a bona fide icon of the sport and the franchise.

Detractors point to the fact he never made it out of the Playoffs’ first round. There is merit to that criticism. And if anything keeps him out of the Hall, it will be that or his limited longevity.

If McGrady’’s surrounding circumstances had been different, he might have led a team to contention. If he had stayed with Vince Carter, if Grant Hill and Yao Ming had been healthier… you can talk hypotheticals all you want.

But it really should not matter. McGrady’s peak was higher than even that of most Hall of Famers.

He may or may not get in on his first ballot, but whatever happens – Tracy McGrady will always be an icon.