NBA Playoffs: The Tracy McGrady Awards

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; iHouston Rockets center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) last second shot in the second half in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center.Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

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Welcome to the first annual edition of the Tracy McGrady awards, which hand out a completely non-existent trophy to the player who performed best despite his team getting knocked out of the NBA playoffs earlier than they’d like. Every player from the 12 teams who have been eliminated are eligible.

This award is quite obviously subjective and done in good spirit. McGrady was a helluva basketball player who for some reason just couldn’t make it out of the first round, despite putting up some MONSTER numbers. You do realize he averaged 33.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 2000-01 for the Orlando Magic, right?

Yes, that team lost in four games to the Ray Allen-led Milwaukee Bucks, but that’s the point of these awards — guys who get no help should still get some sort of recognition. By the way, the No. 2 scorer on that Magic team was Darrell Armstrong, who averaged just 13.3 points per game that series. Ick. Let’s get to our first nominee!