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Leaving open the door to play overseas, seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady retired from the NBA on Monday.

"It's been 16 years playing the game I love. I've had a great run, but it's time for it to come to an end," McGrady said on ESPN's "First Take."

McGrady averaged 19.6 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game in a career that started in 1997, when he was drafted out of high school.

McGrady signed with the San Antonio Spurs in April after working his way back from injuries but never got on the floor for a team that made a run to the Finals.

McGrady told "First Take" that he still thinks he can play and was disappointed not to get a chance to help San Antonio.

"When we were in the Finals and Manu [Ginobili] was struggling, I felt I could contribute, absolutely," McGrady said.

He acknowledged, however, that Spurs management told him that he was an insurance policy and likely wouldn't play.

Asked to clarify whether he is considering playing in China, McGrady said: "Officially retired from the NBA. Door's still open."

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"When we were in the Finals and Manu [Ginobili] was struggling, I felt I could contribute, absolutely," McGrady said.

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He's probably right

I think he has Blair's delusional syndrome.

When Manu is struggling, 4 on 5 would be a marked improvement.



OK, not literally because he still had a good +/- and has been an good defender much of his career, but it's hard to overstate just how badly he Fs over the offense. 8 turnovers

What is everyone's opinion on his career as a whole?

I think he was a great talent whose playoff failures were exacerbated by playing in a brutal western conference. If he had stayed in Orlando he'd have won several playoff series at least.

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What is everyone's opinion on his career as a whole?

I think he was a great talent whose playoff failures were exacerbated by playing in a brutal western conference. If he had stayed in Orlando he'd have won several playoff series at least.

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I would agree with that. I think his second round virginity is very misleading. People look at that and think that he is a choke artist who didn't perform in the postseason. But in reality, his stats/game actually increased from his regular season numbers in most of his years. Injuries, bad matchups, and lack of supporting fast held him back.

It still pains me to think how good we could have been with a healthy Yao and TMac. We saw flashes of brilliance at times, but something always went wrong and we never really got to see it consistently.

Tracy

Most of his time in the playoffs consisted of him carrying some garbage team completely on his back and then the media blasting him because "he" couldn't win a playoff series.

Anybody that watched the 03 or 04 series against Dallas and thinks he couldn't elevate his game in the playoffs is just stating some narrative they are following off what ESPN or some talking heads say.

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Anybody that watched the 03 or 04 series against Dallas

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I've erased that **** from my memory