Unemployed Hall of Famers
Between the three of them, Shaquille O’Neal, Tracy McGrady, and Allen Iverson have amassed more than 70,000 points in the National Basketball Association. The three have also played in a total of 33 NBA All Star Games, won 8 scoring titles, and even won 2 league MVP Awards. Yet none of this triumvirate has been able to find a position on any rosters this summer. Will they have to accept the league minimum for a veteran just to latch onto a contending team? Will they have to entertain the possibility of finally retiring? Here is an analysis of the scenario each of the possible Hall-of-Famers is facing:
Shaquille O’Neal: Of the three available players, O’Neal probably has the most value. Last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, O’Neal had respectable averages of 12 points and 6.7 rebounds per game.
O’Neal is certainly an iconic player and there was a long span where he was arguably the most dominant player in the NBA, but the 38-year-old is a shadow of his former self. His lightning-quick turnaround step is now gone, so O’Neal has to rely on using his 300+ pound frame more so for simple jump hooks. His poor free throw shooting is even more of a liability now that he cannot score as much otherwise. O’Neal is also demanding a $6 million deal, which is rather preposterous.
If O’Neal does choose to accept the league minimum of $2 million, he could still be a useful asset to most teams. He could be a worthy mentor for an up-and-coming centre and would also be a welcome addition off the bench. He may be old, but he is still over seven-feet tall. O’Neal can only succeed if he accepts his role as a supporting big man on his way out. Seeing him drag his body across 94 feet of hardwood in an up-tempo offence is a pitiful sight at best.
Allen Iverson: Iverson has had lots of struggles with being unable to give up the role of starting point guard, a position he is simply too old and too shoot-first to perform adequately at the age of 35.
Iverson’s best strength in his prime was his unbelievable speed. Now, Iverson has to rely on fundamentals. In his return to the Philadelphia 76ers he showed that this could be effective to the tune of 13.9 ppg, 4.1 assists, and 3 rebounds per contest. Iverson’s time with Philadelphia proved that he is no longer dominant but can still be productive.
Perhaps Iverson’s biggest issues involve his personal baggage. Iverson is unwilling to play if he is not a starter and has regularly quit on teams in the past few seasons after being demoted to the sixth-man spot. He is also severely in debt and has been dealing with rumours of alcoholism. If given what he wants, Iverson can play fiercer than just about anyone in the NBA, but is getting what he wants worthwhile for his employers? Without his personal issues, Iverson would undoubtedly be on some team’s roster, but with them he is almost untouchable.
Tracy McGrady: Of the trio, 31-year-old McGrady is the youngest. He has also been the most injury plagued.
Before this season, McGrady had only been able to muster a combined 65 games in two years. After being traded to the New York Knicks by the Houston Rockets, McGrady put up a few great performances before tailing off to an average of 9.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 3.7 rebounds per game.
McGrady, who was the NBA’s most expensive contract while with Houston, has been rehabbing and attempting to return to form. Perhaps his best chance would be to reinvent himself a la Grant Hill, who was also a former dominant star derailed by injuries. McGrady’s time at New York showed that he is no longer a game-changing player, but his offseason dedication can perhaps pay off more than anyone expects.
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