Tracy McGrady’s Top 5 NBA Players
Tracy McGrady’s top 5 NBA players list was given to ESPN, and it has sparked a lot of social media conversations.
At one time or another, every NBA fan has put together a list of the five best players to have played the game. The lists are usually interesting enough to spark interest from fellow fans online. When someone that has played the game comes up with a list, then it becomes a social media trend. McGrady triggered that earlier today by providing his starting lineup of legends.
McGrady’s top 5 lists includes:
- Los Angeles Lakers guard Magic Johnson
- Chicago Bulls guard Michael Jordan
- Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James
- Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon
- Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal
All five are great players, some of the best that the NBA has ever seen actually. However, they were all franchise players. The interesting question is, “Can they play together?”
Let’s take a look at that.
First and foremost, ball handling would not be an issue with this squad. Magic, Jordan, and James can all bring the ball up the court with ease. It would be a foolish move for the defense to try to target any of these guys when they’re advancing the ball. They’re either going to beat you off the dribble or they will simply pass to one of the other legendary ball handlers.
In regard to sharing the ball, some might point out that Jordan liked to dominate the ball. That’s not actually the case, as the former University of North Carolina star showed more than a willingness to share the ball in the Triangle Offense. Even if he wanted to dominate the ball, it would not be a huge issue as Magic and LeBron are considered two of the least selfish players in the NBA.
When trying to come up with a strategy to defend Magic, Jordan, and LeBron on the perimeter, one might be inclined to sag into the paint and allow them to shoot from the outside. That actually might not be a good thing, as the trio all shot better than 30 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Of course, doing that might be better than letting them tear up the paint.
If it isn’t enough that Olajuwon and O’Neal are two of the best low-post players in the history of the NBA, you also have the threat of Magic, Jordan, and LeBron taking your smaller perimeter players down into the paint. Since all five players can do damage down low, whoever is coaching them would have a field day with drawing up and calling plays.
Defensively, this unit is a nightmare as well. Jordan, James, Olajuwon, and O’Neal were great on that end. Magic wasn’t a dominant defender, but he was more than adequate. The other four guys could help cover up for Magic whenever he defends smaller and quicker point guards. The use of a zone defense would also enable them to stop opponents.
History has shown us that putting great players on the same team does not always end up with a championship, but the Tracy McGrady top 5 list has a fighting chance.
[ Featured Photo by Lintao Zhang / Getty Images ]
