It’s crazy to think that so many NBA players didn’t even want to play basketball at first.
We’ve seen how Nikola Jokic often approaches the game as a job, and it doesn’t feel like basketball is his true passion — which is something the rest of the league should be thankful for.
Notably, that was also the case with Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady.
The legendary scorer has repeatedly admitted that baseball was actually his first love, and he recently explained how he was actually ‘bullied’ into playing hoops.
Imagine if Tracy McGrady chose baseball over basketball! 🤯
“When we got Penny (Hardaway) in Orlando, that’s when I really fell in love with the game… I was bullied into playing basketball because baseball was my first sport and my first love” – @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/5yqosXiAIx
— Tidal League (@TidalLeague) June 25, 2023
McGrady wasn’t a well-known prospect in Central Florida at first, and he had to move to make a name for himself and earn an invitation to an ABCD Camp.
Then, it all changed for him, becoming one of the quickest risers in mock drafts and even taking his talents to the NBA straight out of high school.
Still, he claims he didn’t even fall in love with the game until Penny Hardaway made it to the Orlando Magic, and it was all about baseball before that.
Ironically, McGrady would eventually take his talents to the Magic as well, wearing Penny’s very same number.
Some of their fans have even debated whether the Magic should retire that number because of Penny or thanks to T-Mac, and whatever the case, the fact of the matter is that they should retire it.
Just like Michael Jordan, McGrady pursued a career in Minor League baseball shortly after his retirement, and it’s crazy to think how his career could’ve panned out if he had decided to take the mound instead of the hardwood.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Shows Off Power At Celebrity Softball Game
