Houston Rockets: Top 15 Greatest All-Time (6-10)

Jan 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Fans look on from the stands prior to the game between the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports

8. Tracy “T-Mac” McGrady

Arguably one of the most skilled players of all-time, and without a doubt one of the most pure scorers of all-time, seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady comes in at #8.

“T-Mac” could do it all: he could score with the best and he could pass and rebound at a high level. At one point, McGrady considered to be one of the league’s top 3-5 players and a yearly MVP candidate.

In six seasons with the Rockets, McGrady averaged 22.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game. Rescued in 2004 from the Orlando Magic, T-Mac was poised to lead the Rockets to their third championship paired alongside Yao Ming. Unfortunately that didn’t happen as both missed a tremendous amount of time on the sidelines, nursing various injuries.

McGrady also couldn’t break the stigma of not being able to get out of the first-round of the playoffs, which occurred in each of his three appearances while with the Rockets. Perhaps his greatest moment as a Rocket was when he scored 13 points in 35 seconds — including the game-winning trey — in a regular-season game over the San Antonio Spurs back in December 2004. (By the way, this is the best video you will see all day, week, month and year.)

The Rockets won 81-80 and that game truly gave us a taste of how great of a player he was going to be and Rockets’ fans alike were all on cloud nine.

His constant status of being injured frustrated many fans and finally the Rockets had seen enough, sending him packing to the Knicks in a three-team trade back in 2010.

As the years have gone by, fans have been more forgiving, focusing on the exceptional things he did for the Rockets. Just wish the T-Mac and Yao combo would’ve worked out — they made great music together when they were healthy!

Next: CLICK HERE for #7.: A Wall Of Notoriety