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Tracy McGrady shades Tim Duncan while praising Kevin Garnett: "The greatest PF by circumstance"
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- Tracy McGrady shades Tim Duncan while praising Kevin Garnett: "The greatest PF by circumstance"
When discussing the greatest power forwards in NBA history, Kevin Garnett isn't usually the first name that comes to mind. Most fans would give that honor to Tim Duncan , while others might make a case for Karl Malone.
On top of that, some pick Charles Barkley, while others even go for the German icon, Dirk Nowitzki.
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Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady argued on the 'Cousins' podcast that KG deserves to be mentioned alongside those names. However, in making his case for Garnett, McGrady also took a subtle jab at Duncan, suggesting that his greatness was partly a product of the ideal situation he found himself in.
"I cannot definitely say there are five power forwards in history better than KG," said McGrady. " I can't say it. Even looking at Tim Duncan. Tim Duncan to me is the greatest power forward by circumstance. He got five chips, played in a great system, San Antonio. We know all that. But take it, bro. Do you know what this man used to do on the basketball court? S–t that Tim Duncan can't do, Charles Barkley can't do."
Duncan's Hall of Fame teammates
Duncan was the No.1 overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft, but he joined a San Antonio Spurs team that already had David Robinson, Sean Elliott, and Avery Johnson. That team won the NBA championship in Duncan's sophomore season.
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San Antonio later added Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, and Kawhi Leonard, and they won four more NBA championships while Duncan was around. Timmy did his part too, annexing two MVP awards and three Finals MVP trophies.
KG was unstoppable during his MVP year
Meanwhile, McGrady argued that Garnett was literally unstoppable during the 2003-04 season. That year, KG averaged 24.2 points, 13.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 2.2 blocks per game. "The Big Ticket" also won his only league MVP award that year.
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"I look at the game totally different than a lot of people," T-Mac added. "That man right there, bro, I just can't say that he's better than him. He does so much impactful s–t on the basketball court that you can't tell me that doesn't stand up to whatever the elite is compared to being. That's him, on that level. So whether you say he's the best, I'm putting Ticket right there with the greatest power forwards, if not the best."
KG is a Top 5 all-time power forward
No matter what number you want to put Garnett at, most would agree that he is in the Top 5 with Timmy, Mailman, Chuck and Dirk. No one is diminishing KG's greatness. For a player who was 12-25 in 37 career games against Garnett, it's also hard to fault McGrady for talking so highly of Garnett. However, he did not have to bring up Duncan in the conversation if he was only going to throw shade at TD's legacy.
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McGrady already raised quite a few eyebrows when he claimed he could have won a championship too if he had taken Kobe Bryant's place on the Los Angeles Lakers.
While that statement has largely been forgotten, McGrady is now back with another hot take that might not sit well with NBA fans, especially those in San Antonio, where Duncan remains a beloved figure. And, truthfully, a legend.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
