Congratulations Tracy McGrady on your induction into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.
You belong in the Magic’s Mount Rushmore of superstars, who also include Shaquille O’Neal, Nick Anderson and Penny Hardaway.
Still, this is a bittersweet deal, a mix of cheers and jeers for a floundering organization that now needs to step into the way-back time machine for a feel good moment.
It’s kinda the opposite of the song that goes, “the future is bright so I gotta wear shades.”
The Magic need shades to protect them from the glare of another miserable season. They were 21-49 heading into Tuesday’s night game against the Toronto Raptors.
That puts them in the throes of their six consecutive losing season, with a high mark of 35 victories during the 2015-16 season.
Looking ahead hurts the eyes. At least looking back offers a feel-good nostalgic perspective.
Here are some pertinent facts:
McGrady played in 295 games (294 starts) during his four seasons with the Magic (2000-04), averaging 28.1 points, 7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
He was a two-time All-NBA First Team selection (2001-02, 2002-03), a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection (2000-01, 2003-04), a four-time NBA All-Star (2001-04), led the NBA in scoring twice (2002-03, 32.1 ppg.; 2003-04, 28.0 ppg.).
Unfortunately it all unraveled. Some blamed McGrady’s fragile and delicate ego. Others (hands up for me) would argue that in another one of the Magic’s botched moves, they hired a hockey guy (John Weisbrod) to run a basketball team.
McGrady told the Sentinel the Magic made no genuine effort to keep him and "kind of wanted me out."
The Magic traded him after Draft Night, just after they picked Mr. Howard with the top selection. Imagine what that pairing would have been like over the years.
The good news now is that they want him in.
It’s a feel-good story, with the typical nostalgic twist. It’s good to see the Magic appreciate T-Mac these days. Too bad they didn’t appreciate him enough back in the day.
g[email protected] Read George Diaz's blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/enfuego