The NBA legend, Tracy McGrady, recently opened up on one of the toughest periods during his Hall-Of-Fame career. He acknowledged that he did entertain the thought of using performance-enhancing drugs at one point when struggling to cope with the incessant demands of sustaining excellence. Nonetheless, that was a zone of impropriety that he never trespassed, a statement of his honesty and fair play. But he made clear that he wasn’t gonna “cross that line.”

Tracy McGrady was one of the best in the NBA during his career. However, even though he was good at basketball, he suffered from a bad ankle injury that influenced the rest of his career.

Tracy McGrady’s decision to remain within the line

When on top of his game, Tracy McGrady was one of the NBA’s most dynamic talents. He was an incredible shooter, shooting anywhere on the court, and was really tall to be a shooting guard as well.

Regardless of his talent, however, he did have issues with his health, which ultimately hindered the majority of his career.

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It got McGrady vulnerable to open up — during an emotional interview on NBA TV’s Open Court. “Because you know what — I played at such a high level for several years and then I got my knee injury and I was determined to do everything in my power to get back to that level. Naturally, I couldn’t do it. I didn’t have the energy, the self-belief, and truly thought to myself “There was no way in hell I would ever get back there doing it naturally”. “Crossing the line, that’s something I have contemplated before, to get advantage,” he said.

But even McGrady drew the line when it came to the area of PEDs, as he was a man of principle who refused to step into the realm of enhancement. He was very thorough in considering the long-term consequences and personal health risks of his decision, opting to live with integrity.

McGrady’s Battle with Injury

The physical price for an evolving pro basketball player like Tracy McGrady was rising. Injuries became a constant companion, casting skepticism over his competence and aspirations. Such injuries not only hampered his physical abilities but also his mental toughness.

The key reason that turned McGrady off was his research on the downsides of using these chemicals. The reason for his choice was his own study and examination of the impact of his health with it.

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McGrady struggled with knee problems for much of the latter portion of McGrady’s career, limiting his effectiveness in the NBA. After arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder and knee in the summer of 2008, he was never the same again. He could never again manage to score averages greater than 20 points per game, and the hope that he’d be able to play over 50 games in a season got further and further away.

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Injuries and fleeting thoughts of using performance-enhancing substances to gain an edge add poignancy to their story of pursuing greatness in the world of professional sports. One has to wonder if, what if injuries didn’t derail the career of this basketball legend? Do share your views with us in the comments below.