Hoops Habit
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Best Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee from each NBA franchise

By Daniel Lubofsky

INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
INGLEWOOD, CA- JUNE 7: Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles against Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls during Game Three of the 1991 NBA Finals on June 7, 1991 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1991 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Tracy McGrady, Toronto Raptors
Tracy McGrady, Toronto Raptors (Photo by Ron Turenne/Getty Images) /

Best Toronto Raptors Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee: Tracy McGrady

Tracy McGrady’s talents took him a lot of places over his 16 years in the NBA. He won back-to-back scoring titles with the Orlando Magic and paired with Yao Ming to form a terrifying duo as members of the Houston Rockets. It was up north with the Toronto Raptors, however, where the wheels began turning in ways nobody saw coming.

McGrady was the ninth overall pick of the 1997 Draft, but he was a raw 18-year-old who had gone straight to the NBA from high school. For every Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, there are just as many Kwame Brown’s and Jonathan Bender.

The Raptors franchise, only two years into their NBA existence at this point, was acutely aware of the unpredictability of prep-to-pro draftees and proceeded with caution. After all, there weren’t many expectations placed on one of the league’s newest teams, affording them some extra years to get their feet wet.

Over his first two seasons, T-Mac was eased into the trials and tribulations of NBA-level competition. He was given just 20.2 minutes and averaged a modest 8.0 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. There were glimpses of stardom, but it was his third season where McGrady seemed to be on the come up.

Toronto entrusted him with 31.2 minutes and it allowed him to blossom. McGrady averaged 15.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.9 blocks per game. He and Vince Carter formed one of the most athletic young duos in the league, helping the Raptors to their first-ever postseason appearance.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough for McGrady, who was signed and traded in the summer of 2000 in search of a greater role. It was the end of a potential dynasty before it got off the ground.

His departure from Toronto serves as one of the biggest what-ifs in league history. Even during his short time spent across the border, McGrady still managed to play a part in placing the Raptors on the NBA map with superstar talent in its infant stages.