Now that Jason Kidd started this debate, he’s left himself open to commentary. After Luka Doncic positioned himself between two Wilt Chamberlain records, his coach claimed he should be counted in the same atmosphere as Michael Jordan. A good few NBA veterans like Jamal Crawford didn’t take too kindly to it. Others like Shaquille O’Neal aren’t keen on the conversation this early in Doncic’s career. 7x All-Star Tracy McGrady falls in the latter category.

“He’s a great player, not quite there yet. He got to get a championship under this belt before you start talking about Dirk [Nowitzki], what he did for Dallas and of course, to go with MJ,” the 44-year-old said. McGrady also admitted that Doncic is “one hell of a player and one of my favorites.”

After Doncic’s 73-point outing set the fourth-highest single-game scoring record in NBA history, Kidd hinted to the media he’s surpassed Dirk Nowitzki, who led the Dallas Mavericks to a championship. “He’s in the atmosphere of [Michael Jordan], the best to ever do it, LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]. And so, just to appreciate what this young man’s doing at the age of 24, [it] is something that Dallas has never seen,” the Mavs head coach said. By most people’s standards, Kidd went from 0 to 100 too soon.

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Doncic is undeniably on a path for superstardom but it’s too soon for that conversation. Meanwhile, T-Mac, before he beat former NFL QB Robert Griffin III in the 2024 Celebrity Sweat Flag Football Game, is looking forward to what Doncic will do. Kidd’s comments made for quite the discussion on TNT Tuesday as well.

More NBA veterans react to Jason Kidd’s comments

Jamal Crawford said, “Mike is too good to be compared to anyone.” Shaq was a little more open-minded, similar to T-Mac. “A little too early for that. Great player… But, I’ve seen a lot of guys that played great in their first four years… great player, but better than Dirk? A little too early.”

O’Neal is, however, hopeful for Doncic, one of his favorite players, if he remains consistently this good. But, “Not before my boy Steph Curry.” ICYMI, Shaq cautiously pushed for Stephen Curry to be included in that conversation. That also stirred quite the debate and very little agreement.

McGrady and O’Neal, like many others, anticipate a lot more from Doncic in the near future. Do you think a championship makes him comparable to some of the greats in the discussion?

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