Open Thread: Tracy Mcgrady Says Kevin Garnett Was More Impactful Than Tim Duncan

On their podcast, Cousins, 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Champion Vince Carter and and 2001 NBA Most Improved Player Tracy McGrady discuss a variety of NBA topics. The cousins (it’s not just a clever name for a podcast though it is not a show hosted by Boogie Cousins, as I mistakenly originally believed) discovered their familial bond at a reunion. They played together with the Toronto Raptors a year later. Both had significant NBA careers. Tracy McGrady finished his career with the San Antonio Spurs as part of the 2013 title run.

He recently posited that though Tim Ducan is considered the greatest power forward of all time, he thinks it is a benefit of how Duncan was able to design the Spurs around him. The idea is put forth that Kevin Garnett did more than Duncan, but the titles make Duncan look the better player.

My initial reaction was to defend Duncan and dismiss McGrady as having an axe to grind or something. But after listening, I have to give him some respect. McGrady clearly states that he “look(s) at the game totally different.” I cannot begin to imagine the wealth of basketball knowledge, a conversation most assuredly to float above my head and waft ad the words left his mouth.

The repost from David West puts it into perspective.

It was Tim’s system. One thing I realized my year with them was that Tim built the damn thing. It was his brainchild. It was his basketball genius that made that shit the monster it was. IYKYK ????????‍♂️

It opens up the conversation. Could Tim Duncan have become the Tim Duncan of the Spurs if he had been drafted by the Boston Celtics? What about if he had left San Antonio to play in Orlando? If the environment changes, doesn’t the payer change in some form or fashion?

If Kevin Garnett had been given the keys to the kingdom of Minnesota? Or been drafted first overall by Golden State (hindsight being 20/20 and all), could he have cultivated an organization than won five championships?

As a Spurs fan, I am fortunate those are just questions. Tim Duncan was drafted by the Spurs, decided to stay after considering Orlando (if Doc Rivers could go back he’d give Duncan his own private jet…hindsight being 20/20 and all), and completed a nineteen year career in San Antonio bringing more than five championships to the city. He brought a culture, and a style, and a temperament that embodies the franchise’s personality.

And now we Victor Wembanyama. The most talented player of his generation, a genuine gentleman, a scholar, and a player who carries some of the great qualities that have already been associated with the Silver & Black.

Honestly, McGrady’s take doesn’t bother me at all. I’ll take what we’ve got.

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