@SportsCenter THIS JUST IN: Tracy McGrady has just announced his retirement from the NBA on @ESPN_FirstTake.
"It's been 16 years man playing the game I love, dreamed about and I think I've had a great run and it's come to an end. I'm excited and happy about what's to come. It's time to walk away. It's over." "I still have a lot to give but I can't allow myself to settle. The last 3 years have mentally ejected me from the game. If I can't be engaged and feel I can play a role that I feel I can play, then... Does it included China? No. Officially retired from the NBA. Door is still open for China. I have a big brand there so who knows what will happen. How difficult was it to sit on the end of the bench during that Spurs run? It was tough. I accepted it in the beginning because Pop came and got me off my couch. It took me awhile to get in game shape. Once I felt I was ready, I felt like I would get the opportunity to go out there. It never happened but our conversation prior to me coming was very transparent - that I probably wouldn't play. I thought my time would come when I was going to play, it never did happen but because we had that conversation prior to me signing with them, it was fine. It was tough because I'm a competitive guy. As I think back to the Finals, I have mad respect for Ginobili but there were some games in the Finals, how awful he was. What was it like sitting on the bench (when Ginobili is struggling miserably?) "I knew why Jackson got sent home." ... "I felt I could have contributed when Ginobil was struggling. I felt my play-making ability and feel for the game, I could have went out there and relieved pressure off Tony and Gino, I absolutely could have done that." (Game six) "I still haven't recovered from it. I hate when people bring it up to me. Everyone was rooting for me to get that championship. Game six, I'm still having nightmares." (Pop sitting Duncan at the end) "I can't question someone who has won 4 NBA titles. I can't question Pop. He's a phenomenal coach." (After that game, was it over for you guys? There was a game seven but because the manner in which you lost, did you have a shot in game seven?) "We had a shot because those guys are so tough and have been down that road but mentally they were drained. Game six took just really everything from them. They gave it a shot and everything they could." (Blame Manu? Is that fair? Do you blame anyone?) "No. Not at all. You can't point the finger at Manu. No, I don't blame anyone. It's hard to point the finger. You're talking about 28 seconds from a championship. We were in a position to win. We just didn't get a rebound. Pop had trust in them (the guys on the court) to get it done." (Elaborate on being mentally ejected) "I felt like I had more to give in my role than what was given to me. As a competitor, you don't want to feel like you are settling. I felt like I was settling over the last three years. I felt I could give a lot more than I was able to. I can't allow myself to go through that again." (LeBron, Durant, Kobe, Wade, 'Melo, Paul -- If not for injuries, particularly to the knees, where would McGrady be compared to those great players that blessed the game today?) "No question I'm in the conversation with those guys. Look at me when I was in my prime, I was considered one of the best players. It was arguably who was better, me or Kobe? Look at the numbers."
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Thank all of you who have supported me over 16 NBA seasons, 7 All-Stars, and countless exciting moments. Retiring from NBA. Stay tuned. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23mac&src=hash">#mac</a></p>— Tracy McGrady (@Real_T_Mac) <a href="https://twitter.com/Real_T_Mac/statuses/372012509961543680">August 26, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Don't get me wrong, he was an incredible player who had some terrific regular seasons, he just lacked that desire to win. He never helped take the Rockets anywhere which is why I do not consider him to be among the franchise elite.
