Tracy McGrady reveals how Kobe Bryant led Lakers, Shaq to title in 2000

Hall of Fame guard Tracy McGrady recently defended former rival and Lakers legend Kobe Bryant from the “sidekick” narratives that surrounded the Lakers during their three consecutive titles in the early 2000s.

Bryant formed a formidable duo with star center Shaquille O’Neal to capture a three-peat from 2000 to 2002. However, there was always a narrative around both stars with the former Lakers guard being deemed as a sidekick to O’Neal,

Tensions arose between the two during the time, including multiple bust-ups during practices. The two legends eventually patched their relationship in 2018 with a Players Only Interview before Bryant’s untimely death in 2021.

Speaking on Gilbert Arena’s podcast “The Arena,” McGrady recalled watching the 2000 finals between the Lakers and the Indiana Pacers, specifically Game 4, when O’Neal fouled out in overtime. The Pacers were on the brink of tying the series 2-2 until Bryant showed he wasn’t just a sidekick, scoring 16 points in the extra period to lead Los Angeles to the win and a 3-1 series lead.

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Kobe Bryant vs. Tracy McGrady (2002)

Kobe: 38 pts, 10 reb, 4 ast, 2 blk, 1 stl
T-Mac: 38 pts, 9 ast, 6 reb, 2 stl, 1 blk pic.twitter.com/PNk9Oi1KTt

— ThrowbackHoops (@ThrowbackHoops) June 25, 2025

“When I’m watching the NBA Finals and Shaq fouls out of that game, and Kobe took over, I’m running around my house going crazy watching my dude take over this game,” McGrady said.

“That’s when I was like this motherf***er arrived, he is that dude.So when I’m watching him at that time, I’m not looking at him to be a sidekick or a second option. I’m looking at him like he’s that dude,” the former Houston Rockets star added.

McGrady further explained to retired guard Nick Young, a co-host of the podcast, that the game was a sign of Bryant’s greatness, citing the two championships Bryant won with Los Angeles after Shaq’s departure.

Bryant became the Lakers’ main man in 2005 after O’Neal left for the Miami Heat, where he won his last ring in 2006. He led Los Angeles to a Finals appearance in 2008, before notching two-straight titles in 2008 and 2009.

McGrady was considered Bryant’s main rival early in his career as a part of the Toronto Raptors and Orlando Magic, before injuries hindered his career with the Rockets in the late 2000s.

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