Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady shared his thoughts on the subjectivity involved in measuring basketball greatness.
"I think there is no precise way to assess the greatness of a player because it is all quite subjective. A lot of a player's career depends on luck.
In the eyes of the media and many fans, greatness is measured solely by championship wins. But in my subjective opinion, players like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Reggie Miller, Allen Iverson, and Carmelo Anthony are all magnificent, even if they don't have any titles.
Kobe had the privilege of playing with Shaq early in his career, while I didn't have the same opportunity. Curry, Thompson and Durant basically teamed up to win championships.
Imagine if Curry had been drafted by the Hornets and spent his entire career there. We all know the Hornets are a bad organization.
Would we then be talking about Steph as a top 10 player? I don't think so. He ended up with the Warriors by sheer luck. So I don't judge greatness by championships alone," McGrady said on social media.
McGrady's perspective highlights an important nuance in evaluating NBA legends. While championships are often the ultimate measure of success, factors such as team quality, luck and opportunity can play a significant role in a player's ability to win titles.
Iconic players like Barkley, Ewing and Iverson are revered for their individual brilliance and impact on the game, even if they failed to win championships. McGrady's point is that true greatness extends beyond the hardware accumulated over the course of a career.
The hypothetical scenario he presents with Curry on the Hornets is an interesting thought experiment. Would the elite shooting superstar have achieved the same level of success and acclaim if he hadn't landed in the ideal situation with the Warriors dynasty? It's an intriguing question that speaks to the complexity of evaluating a player's greatness.
McGrady’s nuanced view challenges the common narrative that championships are the sole barometer of a player’s legacy. His willingness to consider factors beyond the simple win-loss column provides a more holistic and balanced approach to assessing basketball immortality.
Ultimately, McGrady's message is that NBA greatness is multifaceted and can manifest itself in many different ways. While titles have immense value, they don't tell the whole story of a player's impact, skill and lasting influence on the game.
