T-Mac just retired.

[D.o.s.]

Flipped to ESPN, and low and behold, he's on First Take announcing his retirement.

Bummer, but he seems to be in pretty good spirits about it.

[fairweatherfan]

Always wished T-Mac the best after his body started breaking down.  Glad he got to experience a real playoff run even though it was mostly from the bench. 

Tough question is whether he'll make the HOF.  His peak deserves it but his peak was pretty short and the career numbers suffer for it. 

[rondoallaturca]

One of the saddest careers in the NBA finally comes to a close. I feel so bad for T-Mac, as he could have been so much more. I'm still grateful to be able to watch him play at his potential, no matter how short it was. I feel the entire landscape of the NBA would be much different today if T-Mac had stayed healthy; that's how much impact he had on the game. Good luck with his future endeavors.

[Chris]

Always wished T-Mac the best after his body started breaking down.  Glad he got to experience a real playoff run even though it was mostly from the bench. 

Tough question is whether he'll make the HOF.  His peak deserves it but his peak was pretty short and the career numbers suffer for it.

I think he has an interesting case for the hall, but IMO should fall short.  Between the short prime, and the lack of playoff success, I just can't see him making it. 

[Donoghus]

It's better to burn out than to fade away.  Sad that his retirement is barely a blip on the radar.

Man, back in the day, T-Mac was one heckuva basketball player and an exciting player to watch. 

[Fafnir]

I'd put him in before Carter. A much brighter peak 10 years ago.

But yeah he's a borderline guy.

[Moranis]

I'd put him in before Carter. A much brighter peak 10 years ago.

But yeah he's a borderline guy.

I don't know if it was a much brighter peak.  Carter has always been a much better shooter than McGrady, though McGrady was the better rebounder and passer.  Neither one was ever a good defender.  Given Carter had a much longer peak and won a lot more playoff series, I'd probably put him in over McGrady, though I don't think either will get there.

[fairweatherfan]

I'd put him in before Carter. A much brighter peak 10 years ago.

But yeah he's a borderline guy.

I don't know if it was a much brighter peak.  Carter has always been a much better shooter than McGrady, though McGrady was the better rebounder and passer.  Neither one was ever a good defender.  Given Carter had a much longer peak and won a lot more playoff series, I'd probably put him in over McGrady, though I don't think either will get there.

I think Carter will make it in eventually.  Some fans will be very unhappy with it, but his career numbers will be too high to deny him.  No way he makes it the first year or two, though.

[manl_lui]

sucks to see TMac go like that...always a "could have been a great player". I say a healthy TMac and Yao Ming could've done great things with the Rockets eventually. I always believed that if TMac was healthy, he could've been a better player than Kobe.

[Fafnir]

I'd put him in before Carter. A much brighter peak 10 years ago.

But yeah he's a borderline guy.

I don't know if it was a much brighter peak.  Carter has always been a much better shooter than McGrady, though McGrady was the better rebounder and passer.  Neither one was ever a good defender.  Given Carter had a much longer peak and won a lot more playoff series, I'd probably put him in over McGrady, though I don't think either will get there.

I think T-Mac's four year peak was better than Carter's equivalent top of his game period. Better all around game.

I'm not a huge fan of someone just compiling numbers for the HoF. Its a point in your favor in my view, but a minor one. Carter's shooting definitely helped him age better than McGrady, once McGrady's back went out he just didn't have it at a high level anymore.

Basketball HoF is weird though so who knows what will happen.

[LilRip]

so sad. he was so smooth on the floor and always a joy to watch. even during the Spurs run last year, i was rooting for him whenever he stepped on the court.

[Fred Roberts]

Awesome player all around. Very exciting to watch in his prime.

I'm sorry but an 8-10 year prime is not short.

Bill Walton's 2-3 year prime was too short.

T-Mac had a great run and really transformed the landscape of having 6-8+ types regularly play like guards. No shame in his game. Great career. Too bad he couldn't keep it going for longer but there are very few players who can.

[moiso]

I'd put him in before Carter. A much brighter peak 10 years ago.

But yeah he's a borderline guy.

I don't know if it was a much brighter peak.  Carter has always been a much better shooter than McGrady, though McGrady was the better rebounder and passer.  Neither one was ever a good defender.  Given Carter had a much longer peak and won a lot more playoff series, I'd probably put him in over McGrady, though I don't think either will get there.

I think T-Mac's four year peak was better than Carter's equivalent top of his game period. Better all around game.

I'm not a huge fan of someone just compiling numbers for the HoF. Its a point in your favor in my view, but a minor one. Carter's shooting definitely helped him age better than McGrady, once McGrady's back went out he just didn't have it at a high level anymore.

Basketball HoF is weird though so who knows what will happen.

Yeah, at his peak I think McGrady was a much better player than Carter in my opinion.  I would also take a peak McGrady over a peak Iverson.

[PaulPierce34G]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_CGxj3dHGA

Still remember where I was when he did this...on-campus apartment, sophomore year of college.  He was good...just a shame with his knee problems. 

[More Banners]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_CGxj3dHGA

Still remember where I was when he did this...on-campus apartment, sophomore year of college.  He was good...just a shame with his knee problems.

That was the first thing I think of when I read T-Mac.  Unfortunately, an amazing run in a regular season game constitutes the highlight of his career.  Sad.