Tracy McGrady says goodbye to the NBA

[asandhu23]

There are times in life that a new road presents itself and it appears this time has come for me now. I am so proud of what I have accomplished these past 15 years playing in the NBA. It was a dream entering the league as I just turned 18 years old. I worked hard and poured my heart and soul into this game. I consider myself a student of the game as I have watched, studied and played with and against the best players in the world. The NBA was my University and I learned so much. The gratitude I feel is really immeasurable. I have experienced the best moments a player can experience and have had some dark ones too. Both equally important in helping shape me into the man I am today.

As I leave the league for now, there have been so many profound people who inspired me along my way. I have to say thank you for guiding me and having an enormous influence on the way I played basketball. Isaiah Thomas, Rich Devos, Leslie Alexander and John Gabriel, you believed in me and I thank you. Jeff Van Gundy, you exemplified the brilliance of what a great coach is. Steven A. Smith, you gave us players a voice and for that I thank you. Doug Christy, Charles Oakley, Dee Brown, Mugsy Bogues, Antonio Davis, Dell Curry, Kevin Willis, you all showed a young kid from Auburndale Florida how to be a better player. Kobe, you made me work harder and it was an honor to play against you. And Yao, we shared an experience together that will always be with me, thank you. Sonny & Pam Vaccarro showed me how there is loyalty and genuine friendship in this business. Arn Tellem and Tim Hoy, 15 years and you are still my agents. Thank you for guiding me throughout my career. When all is said and done, there is so many that made an impact on my life. I am one blessed man to have the love and never ending support of my wife CleRenda and the best 4 kids a man can ask for. But most important, I give glory and thanks to God. It is thru Him that I have been so blessed and I am forever thankful.

As I enter this next chapter, I am excited to play for Qingdao Eagles in China. I have been to China several times in the last few years and I love the people and the country. It will be an honor to play for them. Thank you to every fan that has followed me and believed in me. Injuries and all, I wouldn’t have changed a thing. I am proud of the mark I left on this game and am grateful to have been a part this league. It was a dream to play in front of all of you, each night, in every stadium. Thank you.

Tmac

http://www.facebook.com/TracyMcGrady?ref=ts&fref=ts

this was posted on his facebook. he says its "for now" but T-Mac's chapter in NBA has probably ended.

[ink]

Classy.

[Il Mago50]

I miss T-mac already.

Looking at it, every star from when I got into ball (98) is gone or on the fence now it's sad.

Alonzo Mourning, Iverson, McGrady, Grant Hill, Duncan, Sprewell and Houston,Shaq, Carter, Francis, Reggie, Payton, etc.

All gone or nearly there in Duncan's and Hill's case.

Only guy still standing is Kobe and he's still a top 5 player in the league which is ****ing impressive considering how many miles and injuries he has on his body.

[Stunnerko123]

Wish a contender signed him , would have been nice to see T - Mac in one last push.

[Im_in_Mia_bish]

good luck there tmac.

[Bruno87]

it's for the better. it got hard to watch every since his last year in Houston.

this guy could play. with a little more luck, he could have had one of the truly great careers. i hope the new generation of fans digs into the archives and remember him as he should be remember as an NBA player. this guy was on kobes level at one time, i hope fans don't forget that.

[mikekhelxD]

Delete this thread before JB gets to see it.

[BH-Sports]

I want to cry... This man will be remembered to me as one of the the most exciting players to watch in my generation

[MetroMan]

to me, he retired like 4 years ago

[Avenged24]

Damn. Im not even a T-mac fan and that was hard to read...

Someone better make sure JB is okay. Condolences goes out to you.

[TheNumber37]

Can't believe no one gave him a gig. He should be the new MVP over there.

[shep33]

Feel for ya JB and Chronz

[MetroMan]

Jb

[John Walls Era]

Damn. Im not even a T-mac fan and that was hard to read...

Someone better make sure JB is okay. Condolences goes out to you.

If anything they (names will not be used when talking about TMAC) will use his CBA stats as indicators for how great Tmac is.

[Stunnerko123]

JB's location just changed to China