By admin 
Just when Kobe Bryant was trying to break free from Shaquille O’Neal’s shadow, there was a brief period when Tracy McGrady appeared to be the more dominant force, leading the league in scoring in two consecutive seasons.
That stretch of dominance seems to have left T-Mac believing he was superior to Kobe during that period, or that he could have won as many championships as the Black Mamba if he had the same level of help.
McGrady has repeatedly made comments that invite comparisons between himself and the five-time NBA champion and those admissions have clearly frustrated Kwame Brown.
The former No. 1 pick made his stance known rather brutally, reminding T-Mac that it is high time for him to realize that he was never on the same level as Kobe.
“T-Mac, you know you didn’t put that type of ground. You know your back wasn’t even healthy enough,” Brown said. “Maybe if you worked like Kobe in the weight room and did your defensive slides.”
Kwame brown says he wishes tracy mcgrady would stop comparing his legacy to Kobe Bryant legacy. He says T-Mac ain’t put in the grind like Kobe did pic.twitter.com/UNvmCZ3kPp
— NBA Hoops (@Thechat101) September 13, 2026
Brown sternly reminds T-Mac of his place
T-Mac was at his best during his time with the Orlando Magic from 2000 to 2004.
After winning the Most Improved Player of the Year award after averaging 26.8 points per game in the 2000-01 season, he quickly vaulted into superstardom, establishing himself as one of the most dominant offensive forces in the league.
Over the next three seasons, McGrady led the league in scoring twice, while registering a career-high 32.2 points per game during the 2002-03 campaign.
T-Mac was an All-Star and an All-NBA selectee in each of his four campaigns in Orlando and was even among the top six MVP frontrunners in three seasons.
Kobe, on the other hand, built a different kind of resume. From 1999-00 to 2003-04, he earned an All-NBA and All-Defensive selection in each of those five seasons.
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That distinction is at the heart of Brown’s argument. While T-Mac was a lethal scorer and one of the league’s most difficult players to defend, Brown believes Kobe separated himself through his commitment on both ends of the floor, something he proclaimed McGrady never consistently matched.
“He (Kobe) was the first one out there to set the tone every day,” Brown said. “Now, T-Mac, can you look in the mirror and say every practice you went out there and you set the tone on both ends of the floor? I guarantee you, you can’t look them in the eye and say I gave my all and you know it. So, stop it.”
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Brown’s sage advice to T-Mac
That is why Kwame urged T-Mac to leave those comparisons in the past rather than continuing to revisit them. Instead, he wants McGrady to use his proximity to greatness as an opportunity to inspire the next generation, especially his own children.
Put simply, Brown’s message was simple: T-Mac should feel fortunate enough that he existed in the same timeline as Kobe. And rather than feeling envious and making comparisons, he should wholeheartedly appreciate greatness.
“Instead, ya’ll trying to compare yourselves to the man; appreciate the fact that you were around him, show it to your kids,” Brown continued. “He became great. Why don’t you guys do the same? Study greatness. If you got a son, make him great.”
McGrady is entitled to his opinions, but Kwame clearly does not want to hear any more of them.
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This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 7:38 AM.