Basketball Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady shared his thoughts on Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, and it looks like the former NBA player doesn't quite have the two-time MVP in his top 10 all-time rankings.
“He’s not in my top 10 yet,” McGrady said in a social media post. “In my opinion, if one of your teammates is out and you can’t make the playoffs, I can’t put you in my top 5 or top 10.”
McGrady's comments appear to be a reference to the Warriors' disappointing 2021-22 season, in which they missed the playoffs despite having a healthy Curry on the roster. The team dealt with key injuries to other starters, ultimately failing to make the playoffs.
During the 2021-22 regular season, Curry averaged an impressive 26,4 points, 4,5 rebounds, and 5,1 assists per game in 74 games played. However, McGrady seems to think that Curry's inability to lead his team to the playoffs, even without his usual supporting cast, is a knock against his all-time ranking.
This is not the first time Curry has faced criticism from former NBA players. Earlier, three-time All-Star Gilbert Arenas controversially said that Curry was not a "talent of this generation," sparking a strong backlash from fans.
McGrady's comments, while less inflammatory than Arenas', still underscore the high standards and expectations placed on one of the game's modern icons. As a Hall of Famer himself, McGrady's opinions carry significant weight, and his assessment of Curry's legacy is sure to spark discussion and debate among basketball fans and analysts alike.
It’s worth noting that McGrady’s criteria for judging Curry’s all-time status — the ability to lead a team to the playoffs even when his key teammates are absent — is a rather narrow and specific metric. Curry’s body of work, including his championship pedigree, his individual accolades and his transformative impact on the game, could arguably place him higher on many all-time lists.
Still, McGrady's comments underscore the ongoing discourse around Curry's standing among the NBA's greatest players. As Curry continues to cement his legacy, discussions like these will likely continue to shape conversations around his place in basketball history.
It remains to be seen how Curry will respond to those criticisms, but his ability to rise above the noise and stay focused on winning championships will undoubtedly be key to cementing his status as an all-time great.
