Landon Buford
Tracy McGrady was highly touted after showcasing his talent at the Adidas ABCD Camp with the help of Sonny Vaccaro. Vaccaro allowed McGrady to play against some of the best players in the country.
He would later be named a McDonald’s All-American, USA Today High School Basketball Player of the Year, and North Carolina’s Mr. Basketball by the Associated Press to name a few. So, it would be hard to impress someone with that pedigree coming out of high school.
However, LeBron James was able to do just that, McGrady revealed in a recent interview with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson of Bally Sports.
During a 2003 Christmas game between the Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers, James was able to wow McGrady.
“In that Christmas Day game when we played, he was hitting some shots, and I’m looking at him like, ‘Really? Like, come on bro, nah. Nope, this ain’t you. You having an out-of-body experience right now.’ But as time progressed and I seen who he became as a player, I was like, ‘Okay, this kid’s for real,” said McGrady.
In that matchup against McGrady, James finished with 34 points, six assists, two rebounds, two steals, and one block. Meanwhile, McGrady finished with 41 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, and three steals. The Magic would go on to win the game 113-101.
McGrady was later asked if he was aware of James?
“Yes, I was aware I remember watching some of his high school games. I actually talked to Bron when he was in high school. Bron used to wear my shoes in high school because he had a relationship with Sonny Vaccaro. Sonny Vaccaro was my guy and he was recruiting Bron. So, I was truly aware of all the hype surrounding him. I was impressed with his body of work as a rookie and just his poise and his size…I mean we’re talking 6’8” 25” lbs, 18-year-old that can just….he was a GROWN MAN bro!” He said.
Speaking of LeBron James, according to a report by Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report, The Los Angeles Lakers front office is blaming James & Anthony Davis for Russell Westbrook being failed experiment this past season.
“Multiple sources indicate the team’s front office is internally blaming pressure from Klutch Sports Group (representing both James and Davis) for Westbrook.”
This past season, Westbrook averaged, 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.1 assists per game with the Los Angeles Lakers.
