Tracy McGrady remembers the time when he faced the great Michael Jordan in the 1997-98 season. T-Mac played against the Chicago Bulls in his rookie year when Michael Jordan’s side was aiming for their second three-peat. 

Tracy made an appearance on All The Smoke podcast where The Big Sleep shared the moments when he almost pulled off a triple double against his childhood idol. Even though MJ made sure the victory was Bulls’ by scoring more than 30 points. He, Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson talked about the aura, the influence, and the absolute greatness of Michael Jordan along with the modern NBA and differences from the old times.

During the podcast, host Stephen asked Tracy McGrady about how the experience was when Tracy, then just 18, faced MJ on the court for the first time to which he replied, “Shaking in my boots.”

“I had my best game as a rookie playing against him. I almost had a triple-double. In front of 30,000, you know we played in the Skydome and that was the year they had 72-10, we were one of them ten. Mike had about 35-points, he had probably 12 on my easily.” said T-Mac.

Teenager Tracy McGrady left mesmerized

In the podcast clipping, Tracy also shared how the 9th pick from the first round of the 1997 NBA draft, was left mesmerized when he first saw his childhood idol. Just out of high school, 18-year-old Tracy got the chance to go to the back of the locker room and witnessed the aura of Michael Jordan for the first time.

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Tracy McGrady shared,“Let me go back 1997, MJ in the playoffs, I think they played against the Hawks. I’m at the playoff game. I got an opportunity to go back to the locker room after the game. So I’m standing there like I’m seventeen years old kid, I’ve never been around NBA players like this. Pip comes out. All these players come out. Mike comes around that corner, and I ain’t gonna lie to you, man had a glow bro. Mike comes out, and I was like damn!!”

Old MJ outscored prime Tracy McGrady

Later, in his prime, he played against MJ in the 2002-2003 season. The two collected a total of 63 points between them.

Michael Jordan was truly the greatest basketball player of his time and arguably the greatest ever. Although MJ saw his prime in the 90s when he won 6 NBA Championships with Chicago Bulls.

His greatness often meant that he would steal all the limelight from the other great players of the 90s. Many underrated greats of the time often went unnoticed because of the dominance of Michael Jordan.

His Airness 

His Airness won two three-peats with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s. He also obviously has a long list of individual awards to his name. Winning 6 NBA Championships in the 10 years really made Michael Jordan the most successful athlete at the time. 

Many greats, just like McGrady, will always be in awe of MJ. People worshiped him as if he was a God or some kind of royalty. His biography on the NBA official site states “By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.”

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