Tracy McGrady admits self-sabotage to avoid 1 team in 1997 NBA Draft
A rookie Tracy McGrady famously joined the Toronto Raptors a year before his cousin, Vince Carter. McGrady was selected
ninth overall in 1997 after making the jump straight out of high school. But T-Mac’s story could have potentially had a
different beginning had he not intentionally hurt his draft stock with one specific team.
In a recent appearance on “The Ryen Russillo Show,” McGrady was asked about a peculiar interview he had with one team:
the Boston Celtics. Russillo brought up how the Celtics were said to be fearful of selecting McGrady back in 1997 because he
“wouldn’t talk” during the predraft interviews (15:23 mark). Boston, who owned the third and sixth picks, passed on T-Mac
twice.
McGrady then made an admission about his Celtics interview more than 26 years after it happened. He says he purposely
gave a poor interview to avoid playing for the Celtics’ coach at the time, Rick Pitino.
“I just remember, in college, I was being recruited by Kentucky. I just knew how hard and how tough Rick Pitino was. Rick
Pitino had left and becomes Boston’s coach, and I was like, ‘ugh, I don’t know if I want to play for Rick Pitino,’” McGrady
said with a chuckle.
T-Mac revealed that his predraft workout with the Celtics was the “hardest ever” amongst the teams he came in for, further
reinforcing his bias. He did clarify that he had no qualms with Boston or its basketball franchise beyond the man calling the
plays at the time.
“Wouldn’t mind playing for Boston. I just didn’t want to play for Rick Pitino. … It was just finding ways to, I guess, hurt
myself and them not drafting me by not talking. I did fine with my interviews with everyone else. With Boston, not so much,”
McGrady told Russillo.
The Celtics ended up with Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer instead of McGrady. Billups was traded to the Raptors midway
through his rookie season. Mercer was traded to the Denver Nuggets a year later.
It’s unclear whether McGrady’s Hall of Fame career would have developed differently had he ended up with the Celtics in
1997. While considered one of the most talented players in NBA history, T-Mac was never able to achieve immense
postseason success throughout his 15-year career. McGrady’s teams made the playoffs nine times and never escaped the first
round.
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Tracy McGrady admits self-sabotage to avoid 1 team in 1997 NBA Draft
Apr 1, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; NBA former player Tracy McGrady speaks during the Naismith Hall of Game Press
Conference at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
A rookie Tracy McGrady famously joined the Toronto Raptors a year before his cousin, Vince Carter. McGrady was selected
ninth overall in 1997 after making the jump straight out of high school. But T-Mac’s story could have potentially had a
different beginning had he not intentionally hurt his draft stock with one specific team.
In a recent appearance on “The Ryen Russillo Show,” McGrady was asked about a peculiar interview he had with one team:
the Boston Celtics. Russillo brought up how the Celtics were said to be fearful of selecting McGrady back in 1997 because he
“wouldn’t talk” during the predraft interviews (15:23 mark). Boston, who owned the third and sixth picks, passed on T-Mac
twice.
McGrady then made an admission about his Celtics interview more than 26 years after it happened. He says he purposely
gave a poor interview to avoid playing for the Celtics’ coach at the time, Rick Pitino.
“I just remember, in college, I was being recruited by Kentucky. I just knew how hard and how tough Rick Pitino was. Rick
Pitino had left and becomes Boston’s coach, and I was like, ‘ugh, I don’t know if I want to play for Rick Pitino,’” McGrady
said with a chuckle.
T-Mac revealed that his predraft workout with the Celtics was the “hardest ever” amongst the teams he came in for, further
reinforcing his bias. He did clarify that he had no qualms with Boston or its basketball franchise beyond the man calling the
plays at the time.
“Wouldn’t mind playing for Boston. I just didn’t want to play for Rick Pitino. … It was just finding ways to, I guess, hurt
myself and them not drafting me by not talking. I did fine with my interviews with everyone else. With Boston, not so much,”
McGrady told Russillo.
The Celtics ended up with Chauncey Billups and Ron Mercer instead of McGrady. Billups was traded to the Raptors midway
through his rookie season. Mercer was traded to the Denver Nuggets a year later.
It’s unclear whether McGrady’s Hall of Fame career would have developed differently had he ended up with the Celtics in
1997. While considered one of the most talented players in NBA history, T-Mac was never able to achieve immense
postseason success throughout his 15-year career. McGrady’s teams made the playoffs nine times and never escaped the first
round.
Feb 25, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden (1) brings the ball up
court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce
Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
James Harden was successfully able to muscle his way off two teams over the past three seasons. The third
attempt isn’t working out so well for the Philadelphia 76ers guard.
Reports have indicated that Harden is dead set on joining the Los Angeles Clippers after his trade request was
made public. However, the Clippers may not be as infatuated with Harden as the former MVP is with the
California-based team.
According to Sixers insider Kyle Neubeck of The Philly Voice, LAC has remained “fairly unserious” regarding
the trade package they’re willing to offer in exchange for Harden. Neubeck further states that while Harden is
still considered valuable to rival front offices, he’s lost the “franchise-defining clout” that helped push forward
the previous trade demands he made in 2020 and 2022.
Sixers president Daryl Morey has held firm that he would only trade Harden away if there would be an
equivalent star in the returning package.
The Clippers have two stars in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Neither of them has been seriously mentioned
as potential trade pieces in return for Harden. LAC’s likely offer has been linked to players such as Norman
Powell, Terrance Mann, and Marcus Morris, rather than any players Morey might consider a star.
Last month, Harden opted into the $35.6 million player option for next season. The 10-time All-Star had the
option of becoming a free agent instead. That would have granted him full control over his next destination.
However, opting into his deal both guarantees Harden a large payday and allows the Sixers to facilitate his
trade to a team that might not have had the cap space to sign him outright.
The obvious downside for Harden? The Sixers still control his fate.
Report reveals key insight on Bronny James after heart scare
Mar 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; West guard Bronny James (6) during the McDonald’s All American Boy’s
high school basketball game at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The latest update on Bronny James’ heart scare is welcome news for his supporters and the James family alike.
The USC basketball newcomer collapsed to the floor after suffering a cardiac arrest during practice on
Monday. James was attended to by well-trained USC staff and arrived fully conscious at Cedars-Sinai Medical
Center. He was discharged from the hospital on Thursday and is currently recovering at home.
With James now back in stable condition, the questions logically turn to what caused the heart issue. A report
from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta revealed that Bronny underwent a cardiac screening
“several months ago.” The screening was part of a health program administered to potential NBA prospects.
James was put through a transthoracic echocardiogram and an EKG. The former scans blood flow through the
heart, while the latter measures the heart’s electrical activity. James’ test results reportedly came back normal.
Dr. Gupta emphasized that the normal readings were a “good sign,” indicating that whatever Bronny is dealing
with is not an “anatomically existing problem.”
While that’s positive news for James, it creates an unanswered question regarding what ultimately triggered
the heart scare.
Dr. Gupta stated that James will likely have his heart rhythm monitored again to try and detect any
abnormalities not caught on the EKG. If the results remain normal, then doctors could potentially look at
dehydration or intense practicing as possible causes of the issue.
James, who is entering his freshman season at USC, is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NBA
Draft.
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