Tracy McGrady Dismisses Criticism for Lack of Title, Hall of Fame Induction

Seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady said Friday players shouldn't have their legacies diminished if they don't win a championship during their careers.

Tom Westerholm of Mass Live passed along comments T-Mac made during an appearance at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he'll be enshrined Sept. 8 as part of the 2017 class.

"Social media can give a lot of people voices these days, and the first thing they say is 'No rings, no rings,'" McGrady said. "You have to have a great team and some luck to get a ring, right? Unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with that. But I go back at them with this: Anybody can win a championship. Everybody can't get in the Hall of Fame."

The 38-year-old Florida native compiled an impressive resume during his 15-plus years in the NBA, which included stints with the Toronto Raptors, Orlando Magic, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks and San Antonio Spurs.

He earned seven All-NBA nods, including first-team honors in 2001-02 and 2002-03. In addition, he was the league's scoring champion twice and named Most Improved Player for the 2000-01 campaign.

One thing he never captured was the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy. He signed with the Spurs in April 2013 in what turned out to be his swan song, but the perennial contenders lost to the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals that season.

McGrady's accomplishments were still deemed worthy of Hall of Fame induction. He'll be part of an 11-member class that also features Bill Self and Rebecca Lobo.

The dynamic offensive weapon, who arrived in the NBA straight out of high school, discussed the meaning of the honor during Friday's stop at the Hall, per Mass Live.

"It's such a surreal feeling," McGrady said. "Before coming to the NBA, I didn't know anything about the Hall of Fame. It wasn't like a goal of mine. I just loved to play the game of basketball, and whatever accomplishments I got after that, obviously I'd be thrilled. This right here, this is awesome. The Hall? Really? From my story, where I came from, if I'd known that I'd be enshrined in the Hall of Fame, it really doesn't get better than that."

His comments on the subject of championships and the Hall of Fame should have a long shelf life. When the superstars who are currently active become eligible for induction, the superteam era may mean more of them will have gone without a title, but that doesn't mean they won't be worthy.