Former NBA scoring champion Tracy McGrady has reiterated his long-held view that a partnership with center Shaquille O’Neal in the early 2000s would have produced multiple championships had he replaced Kobe Bryant on the Los Angeles Lakers.
Speaking on a recent episode of The Arena, McGrady was asked again about the hypothetical scenario. The seven-time All-Star doubled down, stating that his peak performance level matched the dominance O’Neal displayed during the Lakers’ three-peat from 2000 to 2002.
“When I look at who I was as a player at that time and I’m seeing myself next to the most dominant basketball player, I would have won a ring with the big fella,” McGrady said, emphasizing the discussion centered on the height of his career.
The Case for McGrady
Between 2000-01 and 2004-05, McGrady averaged at least 25 points per game in five consecutive seasons with the Orlando Magic and Houston Rockets. He noted that his name regularly appeared alongside Bryant’s on All-NBA lists during that period, reinforcing his confidence in the hypothetical pairing.
Although McGrady never advanced past the first round of the playoffs in reality, he insisted his offensive versatility and athleticism would have complemented O’Neal’s inside dominance much like Bryant’s did.
O’Neal’s Agreement
O’Neal, who won three of his four NBA titles with the Lakers, has publicly supported McGrady’s stance. The Hall of Fame center has said he believes championships would have been “inevitable” with McGrady as his backcourt partner.
McGrady stressed that his comments were not meant as disrespect toward Bryant, who ultimately won five championships and became one of the most celebrated players in league history. Instead, he framed the conversation as part of the ongoing “ring culture” debate surrounding former stars.
The discussion adds another layer to NBA history’s many “what-if” scenarios, highlighting how player combinations can alter championship trajectories.
Source: Lakers Nation
