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After a failed attempt at baseball, retired NBA superstar Tracy McGrady is reportedly eyeing an NBA comeback.
Working out with the Mamba
According to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, McGrady worked out with Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant in a Southern California gym late this summer. The former 2 time NBA scoring champion was said to have worked out three times a week with Bryant.
“Yes, I was working out with K.B. to get in shape and see how my body feels.” Confirmed McGrady. But according to him, he will first have to fulfill a contractual agreement to be part of a basketball tour in China before deciding on a possible NBA return. “The comeback will not happen, unless I have the drive whenever I get back.”
Conflict in schedule
The main obstacle for McGrady right now is his schedule. The China basketball tour is scheduled for October, or at about the same time the NBA’s preseason opens. Because of this, it would be impossible for McGrady to attend training camp and try to make an NBA roster. But if McGrady is really dead serious about an NBA return, it would be very much likely as a midseason acquisition especially on or after the trade deadline when teams would fill in their rosters with veteran presence who can help them in their playoff run.
Playing a different ball
T-Mac last played in the NBA during the 2012-13 season when he got his opportunity to earn a championship as a reserve for the San Antonio Spurs. However, the Miami Heat beat the Spurs in seven games to win back to back titles. McGrady retired and pursued his childhood dream of playing pro baseball by becoming a starting pitcher for the sugar Land Skeeters in the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. McGrady retired one day after playing in the league’s All-Star game.
Can he come back?
McGrady is only 35 years old and with his basketball talents, he can still contribute to a contender during the postseason. He may no longer be the dominant scorer who once scored 13 points in 33 seconds, but he has a good jump shot and the ability to finish around the basket that will make him effective, as what Vince Carter is doing nowadays. Like Carter, McGrady was one of the NBA’s most breathtaking high flyers. But T-Mac has never been able to sustain his dominance and greatness because of recurring injuries. However, if McGrady is in terrific basketball shape after training with the Mamba in the summer and he is injury-free, then we might just see him once again in another NBA uniform.
