By Dan Savage
Nov. 12, 2015
ORLANDO – Tracy McGrady reached heights during his NBA career that most players can only dream of.
A two-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star, T- Mac made a huge impact on the game. And a large potion of his success came with his favorite childhood team, the Orlando Magic.
McGrady recently returned to Orlando and sat courtside as the Magic battled the Toronto Raptors, the franchise that drafted the 6’8” standout.
He caught up with ESPN580’s Scott Anez and dished about the Magic, his 62-point performance and more:
Anez: You could still score 40 in a game like this, I am convinced of it.
T-Mac: Absolutely! These guys are making the game too hard. I don’t know how many games I could do it for, but for one game, I’ll get you 40.
Anez: You’re looking great, how are you doing?
T-Mac: I appreciate it. Life is good. I’m still residing in Houston and my family is there – my wife and my four kids. I come back to Florida every now and then to visit my family down in Auburndale and I’m here this weekend.
Anez: It’s great to have you here in Central Florida and I know these two teams hold a special place in your heart, Tracy. Let’s begin with the Toronto Raptors, the team that drafted you.
T-Mac: That’s where it all started, Scott. Playing three years up there, being drafted ninth in 1997 and a guy that’s from Polk County going to Toronto, Canada. (Laughs)
Anez: Culture shock?
T-Mac: Oh, it’s extreme culture shock. (Laughs) But you know, I matured as a player up there in my three years. I had a great time. And we drafted my cousin a year later, Vince Carter, and got a chance to play two years with him. And then, that’s when the fun started, you know, the fourth year when I came to Orlando. Came back home, played for the Magic and I can’t tell you man. Between those three years in Toronto and those four years here in Orlando were just the best years.
Anez: Four years here in Orlando really made your career. But I remember the day that you signed here in Orlando, it was the same day that Grant Hill signed as well. You know what we’re thinking then right? We’re thinking dynasty.
T-Mac: We were. Absolutely! And that was one of the main reasons that I signed here. Not only being close to home, but having the opportunity to play with a special talent like Grant Hill. The two of us, very unselfish players, I just thought it was going to be a dynasty.
Anez: Do you play “what if” in your mind? What if Grant Hill were healthy for those four years?
T-Mac: Well you know what Scott, my whole career is a lot of what ifs. (Laughs) What if I would have stayed in Toronto with Vince? What if Grant Hill was healthy and we never traded Mike Miller and the three of us played together for those years?
Anez: You can't play that game, can you? It would drive you crazy.
T-Mac: Oh man, it drives me crazy every time somebody brings it up. But I look back and I’m very content with my career. There’s some things that I could have changed, but I’m pretty content.
Anez: I remember back in March of 2003 and I know you remember this game full well, Magic were having a tough year that year, but you come out against Washington and light it up for 62 points. What do you remember most about that game?
T-Mac: Well, I remember I didn’t get off to a great start. Once I got rolling and hit a couple of shots, I felt like it was going to be a big night. But I didn’t know it was going to be that big of a night. What a lot of people don’t know about that game towards the end is when I finished that game, I missed nine free throws and I think I missed my last 10 or 11 shots.
Anez: That could have been a 70-point night, T-Mac.
T-Mac: I think about that all the time. That’s one of those things. It’s one of those what ifs.
Anez: How does it feel to be back in Orlando? You got a rousing ovation here in O-Town. I know it didn’t end well back in 2004, but all the fans they just absolutely love Tracy McGrady.
T-Mac: This is always going to hold a special place (in my heart). A lot of memorable moments, a lot of special times that I shared with these fans and playing in front of them. I really enjoyed playing, I looked forward to lacing my shoes up and playing at home in front of these fans. I remember the M-V-P chants. The electricity, the energy in this building was phenomenal. To come back and still have that warm welcome, it’s overwhelming. I don’t come back to the games that often, I think this is my second game, but it feels good.