LIVE SHOW: Candace Parker, Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady talk NBA All-Star, DUNKING, The Big Game & MORE!

Summary

Podcast Summary: "LIVE SHOW: Candace Parker, Vince Carter & Tracy McGrady talk NBA All-Star, DUNKING, The Big Game & MORE!"

Podcast: Post Moves with Candace Parker & Aliyah Boston
Guests: Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady
Date: February 8, 2026
Recording Context: Live from San Francisco, All-Star & Super Bowl Weekend

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Episode Overview

This special live episode of Post Moves brings together hosts Candace Parker with NBA legends (and new podcasters) Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. The conversation covers a wide landscape: from their new podcast "Cousins", behind-the-scenes NBA stories, candid talk about life after basketball, Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Weekend predictions, and the art and legacy of dunking. Unfiltered, hilarious, and insightful, fans get generational perspectives from three of the game’s most influential voices.

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Key Discussion Points

1. The Story Behind "Cousins" Podcast

(02:15–04:18)

• Vince and Tracy reflect on how their podcast is simply a public extension of conversations they've always had—even before podcasts were mainstream.
• Tracy McGrady: “We’d call, talk about something, or ask a question, and it turned into two, three hours, and here we are today to kind of share how we try to solve the world's problems, whether it's athletically or otherwise.” (02:20)
• The duo reveals that as young players in Toronto, the podcast vibe would have been “a lot more immature” and “raw and uncut.”
• They share the serendipitous story of discovering they were cousins in college and playing together in Toronto, creating a unique bond both on and off the court.
  • See Crossroads: Cousin Story segment for full recount.

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2. Super Bowl Picks & Hot Takes on NFL Hall of Fame

(04:26–09:33)

• With the Super Bowl the next day, Candace asks both guests about their picks.
  • Vince and Tracy initially waffle but lean towards the Patriots (amid jokes about the difficulty for non-fans to root for them), while Candace picks the Seahawks.
• Vince passionately calls out the NFL Hall of Fame voting process, especially the exclusion of Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft:
  • Vince Carter: "You make the average fan not really want to support the sport because of you doing like this... You're not allowing these guys who are first ballot, no question, no denying—that's what they are." (07:17)
  • Tracy and Candace echo the need for clearer Hall of Fame criteria and removal of personal biases from voting.
• Showcase of friendly banter: an “anytime pushups” wager between Candace and Tracy on the Super Bowl outcome.

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3. Transition to Ownership and Life After the NBA

(10:54–26:23)

• Both Vince and Tracy are now minority owners of the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise. They detail how this opportunity emerged, the thrill—and learning curve—of being part owners, and becoming active in the Buffalo and Toronto communities.
  • Tracy McGrady: "It's just been a fun experience. Every trip we've gone on, or even at home, just to be there with the guys... You pinch yourself—'you're a freaking owner of the Buffalo Bills.'” (15:09)
  • Anecdotes about infiltrating “Bills Mafia” culture, including refusing to jump through tables, and the camaraderie built with players.
• The group discusses the challenges athletes face transitioning after their sports careers end.
  • Tracy shares how injury forced him to start thinking long-term, leading to business ventures like his one-on-one basketball league and plans to revive the legendary ABCD camp for boys and girls.
  • Vince underscores the importance of finding the right team and being proactive in building business skills and a brand before retiring.
  • Candace notes how athletes underrate their translatable skills and should feel confident in high-pressure, new environments:
    • Candace Parker: "A lot of athletes don't think that they're prepared to walk into boardrooms when really, you know what pressure is? Knocking down a free throw in front of 24,000 people. That's pressure." (21:53)
  • The trio credits Magic Johnson’s post-career business model as inspirational, and stress the importance of sharing knowledge, building networks, and being open to new passions.

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4. Cousins’ Origin Story – Finding Out They Were Family

(26:23–29:10)

• Tracy and Vince recount, very humorously, how they found out they were cousins only after meeting at UNC Chapel Hill’s summer pick-up runs.
  • Tracy McGrady: "We played both of the week. Get to the what, Friday? Well, Thursday, he's like, I'm not gonna be here Friday. Going to a family reunion... Next thing I know, Saturday afternoon, I get a phone call... it says my grandmother's name... Grandma wasn't on the phone. It was this guy ... Now, like, 'what’s up, cuz?'" (27:24)
  • Reflect on the rarity and joy in getting to play together as family at the NBA level, and now as podcasting/business partners: “Podcasting is easy when you’re with people you know.” (28:42)

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5. NBA Crossroads: Leaving Toronto & Favorite Versions of T-Mac

(29:15–32:19)

• The “Crossroads” segment probes Vince’s decision to leave Toronto for Orlando:
  • Vince’s move was inspired by childhood dreams—he grew up in Florida, idolized the Magic, and was “consuming all this, giving me vision of what the future looks like for me.” (31:12)
• Candace poses the fan question: “Best version of T-Mac?”
  • Vince Carter: "I don't think anybody on the planet was better than '03 T-Mac. And that includes this cat sitting talk." (32:03)
  • The group reminisces about old All-Star footage, how careers intertwined, and moments that shaped their legacies.

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6. All-Star Weekend & The Art of the Dunk

(33:00–42:52)

• Talk turns to NBA All-Star Weekend, with Vince and Tracy coaching in the Rising Stars game.
  • Vince is especially excited about Con Kanipple out of Charlotte: “He’s fundamentally sound, but he’s a dog and shoots on the level of Steph Curry.” (33:58)
  • The famous 2000 Slam Dunk Contest is dissected:
    • Vince and Tracy rehash how little they planned—missed warmups, no routine, improvised dunks, and the aftermath.
    • Vince describes the pressure leading to iconic moments:
      • Vince Carter: "You remember his first dunk? It was the most incredible thing that we've seen in a slam dunk contest...whoever came after him...go ahead, buddy." (35:29)
    • The duo reveals they didn’t practice some of the dunks—improvisation and trust played huge roles.
    • Highlight: Tracy unveils a never-seen dunk he could do in high school—putting both elbows into the rim before dunking—leaving Candace and the crowd awestruck.
• Candace openly admits: “I had never seen that...I went out and put my arm in the rim and left bruises all on my arm.” (40:08)

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7. NBA Predictions & Debates: MVP, Rookie, Playoffs

(43:06–51:48)

• Quick-fire prediction rounds:
  • Rookie of the Year: Both pick Cooper, with Khan a close second. (43:17)
  • MVP: Vince makes a case for Jaylen Brown due to his leadership and team adversity.
    • Vince Carter: "He's most valuable player to his team. Those other guys are great, but what he had to do and what he's doing...I just think that's MVP worthy." (45:06)
    • Candace argues for not overlooking the consistent brilliance of Luka Doncic.
      • Candace Parker: "We cannot get bored with the ease at which [Luka] scores." (45:48)
    • Tracy calls for clear, consistent MVP criteria: "Is it most valuable or most popular?" (48:06)
  • Finals Picks:
    • Vince: Denver vs. Detroit
    • Tracy: Detroit vs. either the Knicks or Boston.
    • Candace: Explains OKC’s depth and potential, with new acquisitions making them contenders.
  • Discussion on Lakers’ prospects, Detroit’s smart pickups, and the undervalued importance of depth and health heading into playoffs.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tracy McGrady, on same-old conversations:
  • "We've, you know, had these discussions many of nights...but when we did sign on a dotted line, it was perfect." (02:20)
• Vince Carter, on Hall of Fame exclusion:
  • "You make the average fan not really want to support the sport because of you doing like this...You're not allowing these guys who are first ballot, no question, no denying—that's what they are." (07:17)
• Candace Parker, on athlete confidence post-career:
  • "A lot of athletes don't think that they're prepared to walk into boardrooms when really, you know what pressure is? Knocking down a free throw in front of 24,000 people. That's pressure." (21:53)
• Vince Carter, on T-Mac’s peak:
  • "I don't think anybody on the planet was better than '03 T-Mac. And that includes this cat sitting talk." (32:03)
• T-Mac’s never-seen dunk:
  • "I would go up to the rim, jump up, put both elbows on the rim, then come down and dunk it...that was the goal." (41:58)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Cousins Podcast Origin – 02:15–04:18
• Super Bowl/Hall of Fame Discussion – 04:26–09:33
• Ownership & Athlete Transition – 10:54–26:23
• Cousins Realization Story – 26:23–29:10
• Toronto-Orlando Crossroads – 29:15–32:19
• All-Star Weekend/Dunk Contest Stories – 33:00–42:52
• NBA Predictions (MVP, Rookie, Finals) – 43:06–51:48

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode is relaxed, honest, and filled with mutual respect and hilarity. The hosts and guests freely roast each other, share deep insights on transformation and legacy, and bring listeners into the “family” with their real-life locker room energy and wisdom.

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Takeaways

• The transition from professional athlete to entrepreneur or owner is possible and rewarding, but takes early, intentional planning.
• Being a great athlete and teammate also means being open to new opportunities, sharing knowledge, and building the right team around you.
• The legends' personal stories—and the cousin reveal—are as captivating as any on-court highlight.
• The Slam Dunk Contest moments weren't just legendary—they were mostly unscripted!
• Honest debates about MVP criteria and franchise-building reveal how much the game—and perspectives on the game—continue to evolve.

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For Further Listening

• Follow Post Moves and the "Cousins" podcast for more stories from Candace, Aliyah, Vince, and Tracy.
• Find bonus content and segments by following @postmovesshow and @vinceandTMac on social platforms.
• Tune in every Wednesday for new episodes.

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Transcript

[Candace Parker]

Welcome to a special edition of Post Moves. Live from the block in San Francisco.

[Vince Carter]

Ladies and gentlemen, get on your feet. She's a three time WNBA champion, two time mvp, two time Olympic gold medalist, and the host of Post Moves, it's Candice Parker.

[Tracy McGrady]

Hi.

[Candace Parker]

Hi, everybody. Thanks for joining us. Combined All Star selections between them and the hosts of the new podcast cousins.

[Tracy McGrady]

It'S Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter.

[Vince Carter]

Everyone.

[Tracy McGrady]

That's all. Come on, give it up for him.

[Candace Parker]

Right there.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yay.

[Vince Carter]

Ah, yeah.

[Candace Parker]

All right, all right.

[Tracy McGrady]

How's everybody doing? All right, all right.

[Vince Carter]

Checking, Just checking.

[Candace Parker]

Good, good.

[Tracy McGrady]

Some of you guys were here at 7am Good for you. I was just rolling over. I was rolling over the other side.

[Vince Carter]

At 7am that boy was getting ready for the first day of school. You had the clothes laid out. He's ready.

[Candace Parker]

All right. Well, what's up, everyone? Obviously you can see we're gonna have a lot of fun today. Welcome to a special live episode of Post Moves presented by nhtsa.

[Tracy McGrady]

Man, shout out to nhtsa. First of all, keeping us safe and warm. It's warm in here.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah, it is.

[Candace Parker]

The sound of a seatbelt is one of the most important sounds in our car. It means everyone is ready and everyone is safe. Make it a priority. Buckle up every time. Hear that sound and make it a habit. Paid for by NHTSA. Okay, I'm Candace Parker and today I'm joined by VC, aka Vince Carter and Trace McGrady, aka T. Mac. If you have been living under a rock, you now understand I have Post Moves, they have cousins. Because they're cousins. And if you don't already, tell your mom, your friend, your cousin, your best friend to follow us on all socials at least Moves and at Vince and TMac. All right, congrats on your new podcast.

[Tracy McGrady]

Thank you.

[Candace Parker]

That's amazing.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah, I felt like the two of us have had a podcast for a long time.

[Candace Parker]

Okay.

[Tracy McGrady]

Before everybody knew it, meaning this general conversation, you know, we'd call a talk about something or ask a question, and it turned into two, three hours, and here we are today to kind of share how we try to solve the world's problems, whether it's athletically or otherwise. And we turn it into something where we can open up, you know, our hearts, minds to the world.

[Vince Carter]

What you say, I say when I'm on the phone with this guy. I got a carve out two hours, right. Because we, we definitely gonna have cover some ground in conversation, but it's been a long time coming. We, we've, you know, had these discussions Many of nights. And we talked about doing the podcast and that's, you know, the timing of when we were talking about it just wasn't right. But when we did sign on a dotted line, it was perfect. And, you know, I never thought I would be doing a podcast at all, but, you know, I'm so happy that I found somebody that I found joy in having conversations with and sharing that with our fans. So here we are.

[Candace Parker]

That's amazing. But I, I do have a question for you. Because now the current state of basketball is guys that are playing are doing podcasts.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

So, like, what would the, what would the name of the podcast have been had it taken place in Toronto when you guys were. Oh, we could tell by the laughter. Talk about in between the lines.

[Tracy McGrady]

But honestly, it probably somehow would have ended up being cousins.

[Vince Carter]

It would have been cousin for sure.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah, it'll still, I mean, it just, it just makes sense and. But what we talked about at that time.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah, that's what I mean. The conversation would probably be a lot different. Current player versus retired now.

[Vince Carter]

A little bit immature. Conversation time.

[Tracy McGrady]

That's what I was about to say. I'm kind of glad that we're doing it.

[Vince Carter]

I was 19 years old. What you expect?

[Candace Parker]

I mean, I wanted to hear from 19 year old.

[Vince Carter]

19 year old. TMAC. Yeah.

[Tracy McGrady]

Raw and uncut.

[Vince Carter]

And today. Yeah. In today's podcasting world, would have been a lot of viral moments.

[Tracy McGrady]

I can only imagine the timing is right now.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah, I can only imagine. All right, well, we're here in San Francisco right now. Super bowl is tomorrow. Obviously, we got to talk about that. Who you guys got?

[Tracy McGrady]

This is source.

[Candace Parker]

You guys got. Come on now. Who you got?

[Vince Carter]

So initially, I, I think Seattle's gonna win. I, I do, I do think Seattle's gonna win. But I'm a little, you know, upset on what I've been seeing in this hall of Fame with Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft being, you know, not elected into the hall of Fame.

[Candace Parker]

I got one class, the Brady with the Brady jersey. I don't know if he's partial or not.

[Vince Carter]

What are you going to do if they don't allow Brady in?

[Tracy McGrady]

The world will go crazy.

[Vince Carter]

Y' all should boycott it. Now you talking about, like, these guys are first ballot hall of Famers and for people that are in control of their, their destiny and, and of greatness, having control of that and taking that away from there just. It doesn't sit right with me. Yeah, you've never, you never played or controlled the team. Ran a team a day in your life. But you want to stop these guys from reaching, you know, the, the apex of their profession and what they have, the work they have put in over the years. Like, I, I, I don't like it.

[Tracy McGrady]

So I'm going with the Patriots and, and I'm going to piggyback off of that. Clap for that if you want. I want to piggyback off of that because, and, and it's like, oh, it's okay. They'll eventually become hall of Famers. That's not the point. Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft has earned the right to be first ballot. Whether you like him or not. You have to kind of tip your hat, and I'm not a Patriots fan like that. But, but at the same time, you have to tip the hat, your hat to what they've accomplished, what they've done, to where their resume. If there was no name on that and you looked at that resume, you like that guy and that guy, and that's what it was. So that's, that's where my.

[Candace Parker]

Is this a bigger, broader conversation of how the NFL votes?

[Tracy McGrady]

Correct.

[Candace Parker]

Because it's way different than what it.

[Tracy McGrady]

Is because we have to take our feelings out of it.

[Candace Parker]

No, but I mean, like, even the criteria, because you're, you only, you have to get a couple votes. And there's some guys that aren't going to be on the ballot next time, so they feel like because it's their last time on the ballot, they have to vote for these other guys.

[Vince Carter]

Where.

[Candace Parker]

I'm with you, but I think it's just also evaluating how the NFL votes for hall of Fame, how it has.

[Tracy McGrady]

Been at this point. And I get, and I understand that, and I don't have a problem with that. But at the same time, like it says, some, some guys are undeniable. Yeah, you are undeniable. You can admit that or not. You're going in hands down. We've talked about this a lot, and I'm putting you on front street. And I don't care. I don't care.

[Candace Parker]

I'm like, but, but that's my. Listen to Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft. Don't get it. I'm a little nervous.

[Tracy McGrady]

Hey, but we'll be honest. We will have the same conversation at that time because it's undeniable, you know, but, but still, like, it's just, it's just unfortunate.

[Vince Carter]

So you make, you make the average fan. And, you know, I'm a fan of all sports, but you make the average fan not really want to support the sport because of you doing like this. And you. You make us not look at sports as if it's real and authentic. Like, everything that we see is real. It's structured. It's everybody. The refs calling a great game, right? Coaches coaching a great game, like there's no funny business going on. But you doing stuff like this. Questions. Like, I'm a question that. Because you're not allowing these guys who are first ballot, no question, no denying that's what they are.

[Tracy McGrady]

Who are you picking in the Super Bowl?

[Candace Parker]

I'm picking the Seahawks. Yeah. I just think that the way they have dominated in the playoffs, I think Sam Darnold, he's handled probably every type of coverage that you could imagine. I don't know. I just. I think the Seahawks.

[Tracy McGrady]

I have no dog in the fight for a lot of reasons, scoring a.

[Vince Carter]

Lot of points, but Bills are home watching.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah, my Bills are at home.

[Candace Parker]

We're going to get to that in a second. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Don't jump. Don't jump the gun. Come on.

[Tracy McGrady]

But Leonard Williams is from my high school, so I support him. But also, Drake May is a Tar Heel, so I support my Tar Heel, so I'm kind of torn right now.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, so you guys. From what I'm hearing, both of you guys are both Patriots, right? So I'm the only. Is that. Is that what you guys are hearing?

[Vince Carter]

Yes. But do you know how hard it is for us to be rooting for the Patriots?

[Candace Parker]

Okay, I know. I know it's really hard.

[Vince Carter]

You know how tough that is?

[Candace Parker]

I know it's really hard, but can we have, like, a friendly wager? I mean, I'm. I'm just wondering.

[Vince Carter]

Like, I just told you, I think Seattle was going to win.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, but you picked the Patriots.

[Vince Carter]

That.

[Candace Parker]

Did you guys hear that? He picked the Patriots.

[Vince Carter]

My explanation of me picking the Patriots.

[Candace Parker]

Is like, okay, all I'm saying is, can we bet, like, anytime push ups? Do you. Do you guys do that anytime? You know what that means? So here's the thing, right? If I roll up to Vince and he is in the airport and I see him, and I'd be like, you owe me three. Anytime. Push ups. You gotta get out and do push ups. So if. So if Seahawks win. Yeah, no, yeah, yeah, that's fair.

[Vince Carter]

I ain't agreeing to that.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, stop. 30 at a time while they babysit their answer.

[Tracy McGrady]

I said yeah.

[Candace Parker]

Oh, you're in. Let's go. Come on. All right, all right. Gatorade color is another thing that is heavily bet On.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah.

[Vince Carter]

That's crazy.

[Candace Parker]

So what's the Gatorade color that's going to be dumped on the Seahawks when they win?

[Tracy McGrady]

I say purple. I. I agree. I'm a grape guy. And yellow.

[Vince Carter]

We're in.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'm gonna go yellow.

[Candace Parker]

You going yellow? I'm gonna go orange. I'm going orange.

[Vince Carter]

All right. I'm going red. I'm going red. Red all over the way.

[Tracy McGrady]

All right.

[Vince Carter]

All over the place.

[Tracy McGrady]

But red Gatorade on clothes is. That's awful, bro. That is bad. We all know that if you spill red, like, you might as well throw that away, especially if you got a white T shirt on.

[Vince Carter]

So let's go red.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'm going.

[Candace Parker]

All right. So for those of you that don't know I'm a Bears fan, this year was unbelievable. Unbelievable as a Bears fan, honestly, we came up short. But I have belief in Ben Johnson, I have belief in Caleb. Obviously Komet and Loveland. They, I mean, how could you not love this team? So obviously what is delayed is not denied. So I am going to predict right now that the Bears are going to make the super bowl in LA next year. So I'm going to be able to be at all of this.

[Tracy McGrady]

Against who?

[Candace Parker]

I don't know. That turns us to my next point. You all are both minority owners of the Buffalo Bills. We've had conversations about this. What's that? Like, what are game days like? Have you done a tailgate? You guys have a new stadium that's being built that's ready for next year. So, like, can I get some free tickets? Like what? I just, I just want to. Can we.

[Vince Carter]

Free tickets?

[Tracy McGrady]

Depends on how these push ups go.

[Candace Parker]

Dang.

[Tracy McGrady]

Think about that.

[Vince Carter]

I think it's been a cool experience. You know, I've. When I became a professional, I wanted to always own a. Have a piece of a franchise, whether it's basketball, baseball, football. And the Bills opportunity came around. Just the timing was perfect. It aligned with, you know, what I wanted to do if being part owners, not just hand over a check and sit back and watch a team play football. But, you know, I think being in the community and when you look at, you know, when we played in Toronto, we had a bunch of Bills players that used to come and watch us all the time. So that connection has always been there and, you know, the border is right there. So us getting out in the community in Toronto is very important to us having that impact on the community. And the Bills are trying to extend, expand their, their fan base throughout Canada and what two better Guys that, you know, started their careers off in Toronto to be a part of both of those franchises and help do that.

[Tracy McGrady]

So. And the other side of that. Well, first of all, it was, you know, obviously wanting to be a part of a basketball franchise because I played the game so long, been around it would love, enjoy helping young guys grow and find their path. To get a phone call from him. What about the opportunity? And I was like, okay. And, you know, we didn't really know. I mean, I didn't really know what that would manifest to until we met with the Pulas and got that opportunity to. To go to the preseason game in Jacksonville. And I remember sitting in. In that. In his office and we're talking and he's like, I would like to move forward, if that's okay with you.

[Vince Carter]

I was like, yeah, think about this. We've never met this guy, right? We've never met him. We walk into his office and just have a brief conversation and he allowed us to become owners.

[Tracy McGrady]

He asked us if it was okay with us. We're like, no, it's okay with you. Because we were like, what, months ago? And if that's just how great he was. And I tell you, just getting, like I said, getting the kind of experience. It's one thing. Look, it's one thing seeing Bill's mafia on tv, it's another thing being a part of it.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Tracy McGrady]

Walking through it and seeing them operate in action like that is next level fandom. Some of the things that they do, you know, with the table I'm not in, he said he's gonna jump in the table, over into a table. It's not my thing.

[Vince Carter]

It can't be negative 3 degrees, though.

[Tracy McGrady]

That's the problem.

[Vince Carter]

It's so cold out.

[Candace Parker]

No, you're drawing the line with that.

[Tracy McGrady]

But it's been a great experience. I've known Josh a little bit through golf and, you know, I think like you said, not just writing a check, but they allow us to kind of interact with the guys, have conversations. We've been through ups and downs of sports. We understand the ins outs of sports, from back to backs to injuries to, you know, tough losses of. That's your fault. That's not your fault. And how does it. They allow us to kind of. To integrate ourselves with the guys and have conversation. And it's been unreal because at first they were like, yo, go ahead, do what you do. And now, you know, hesitant. Cause like, here we're basketball guys coming in and how do they view us and you know, as players Sometimes do we accept just outsiders? If you would. That's not in our sport. They welcome them with open arms. And it's just. It's been a fun experience. And every trip that we've gone on, or, you know, even at home on the road, like we were in Jacksonville for that. For that game, that playoff game, it was insane. But just to be there with the guys and watching this dude lose himself in the locker room. I don't know if you guys remember Josh Allen's speech, and he's tried to call, well, prior to Coach McDermott's speech. He's trying to get everybody to shut up so he can talk. Well, the reason why was because this guy here was in the back of the locker room yelling, dapping up people. You know, he was very respectful.

[Vince Carter]

I'm juiced up.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah. But it was just cool to now see ourselves. And I think we pinch ourselves. I look at him and like, you're a freaking owner of the Buffalo Bills. Who would imagine us as basketball players?

[Vince Carter]

So.

[Candace Parker]

Amazing. Amazing. Well, I know you all are the poster children for being able to transition from.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

No, being able to transition from playing basketball for as long as we all played.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

To then, now living life after basketball. A lot of us have been led the path of broadcasting.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

Investment.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

You know, all of those opportunities. I think a lot of players struggle with that because they wait until the end to prepare. How intentional were you about building the next while you were playing? Or how intentional are you about informing past players about transitioning and what that looks like? Because, honestly, like, you're taught to keep the main thing. The main thing, and that's what makes players great. But at some point in time, the ball is going to stop bouncing, and you got to kind of look to the future.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah.

[Vince Carter]

I think for me, when I was making that transition, injuries took me there. Right. So think about my 11th, 10th, 11th year. I had micro fracture surgery. So I'm on top of the world, and I have my fracture surgery, and it brought me down. So I was playing at T. Mac, and then it became Tracy. That's what it was.

[Candace Parker]

That's still a hell of a lot better.

[Tracy McGrady]

So.

[Vince Carter]

So T. Mac was, you know, perfecting his craft and. And was trying to be the best version of himself as a basketball player and really wasn't thinking outside of basketball. But when Tracy hit, that's when I started thinking, okay, this is about to come to an end, and I started transitioning. It's really about finding, you know, your passions and, like, what do you do Naturally, what are you naturally good at? What do you naturally love to do? And is that something that, you know, you could sell to people? And I just felt like my life is basketball. I'm, I'm basketball driven. And I started a one on one basketball league. This what I wanted to get into, to give guys an opportunity. Because I know somebody created a platform for me and is the reason why I became who I became in high school. And that was the ABCD camp. You know, as a junior, I was unknown. I go to this basketball camp as an unranked player in high school and I'm playing against the top players in high school. And I go through this camp, my senior year, I'm the number one player in the country. And my life changed like that. So it was a platform. It was nothing about me that changed, just I got on platform. So I wanted to create a platform for those guys that were overlooked, had, you know, to pivot because maybe on their journey, mom passed away, mom got sick, dad wasn't around. Now you gotta be a big boy, a big girl, and you gotta raise your siblings. So that was, that was driven for me. And then all the other business stuff that just came behind that. We got NBC, you know, I got ABCD camp that I'm bringing back for this year. And I definitely want you to be a part of that because we're gonna have the girls as well. And it's just really about exploring and finding your passion and putting you all into it. And I put that energy and effort into it. Just like I was, you know, getting ready for NBA season.

[Tracy McGrady]

For me, it was watching the guys before me, my vets, struggle with the fear of the unknown. And kind of like what he said, you've done something for, whether it's 5, 6, 8, 10, 22 years, and.

[Vince Carter]

Just.

[Candace Parker]

Casually played for 22 years.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'm just saying some of the guys made it to 20s, some guys playing 23 right now, you know, but you know, once you do that, and we put our lives into it, to be the best that we can be the best versions of our, you know, of ourselves. Not to be critiqued, but to be satisfied with ourselves and what we accomplish, then when you hate, you play that last game, you take off your shoes for the last time, you sit them things wherever you throw them and you walk out that door, you're not going back to training camp locker room, you're going to whatever's next. And watching some guys struggle with that because they weren't prepared. And for me, growing up, I was One, to ask questions if I didn't know, number one. Number number two, I vowed that I would not be in that situation. I did not want to put myself in that position. So I started to kind of figure out what I wanted to do. So nine years prior to me finally walking away from the game, I started Sportscaster U. I went in there to learn, you know, the business of broadcasting and loved it. I enjoyed talking about the game of basketball. I wasn't sure if I wanted to coach or not because, you know, there's a lot that comes behind coaching as, you know, no loyalty to coaches. I think now, particularly in today's game, that's my opinion. But at the same time, I could still. We have an influence of the game, and we can teach the game through our voice on tv. So, you know, and just to tell you from how we've played the game and what we see, kind of elaborate for you, we all can look at the same play on the screen right now, but we see it totally different than you guys and tell a different story. So just to kind of bring you in our world. So broadcasting was one of the things I felt like, man, this is it. I enjoyed it. So I was doing it prior to my last day, so I was able to walk into that world. And then, like you said, just being a good person, doing the right things, other opportunities, you know, relationships did not burn bridges and all these things on my path to walking out the door for the last time and created, you know, a brand for myself. But, you know, I enjoyed the opportunity.

[Vince Carter]

That's the thing right there. You've been talking for, like, five minutes.

[Tracy McGrady]

Look who's talking.

[Vince Carter]

Damn, man.

[Candace Parker]

You could tell they cousin.

[Vince Carter]

Five minutes, bro.

[Candace Parker]

Just like.

[Tracy McGrady]

And so on and so forth. We'll talk later.

[Vince Carter]

Put the light on.

[Tracy McGrady]

On him, bro.

[Vince Carter]

He hit the light.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, I'll just say this. I think that it's scary when you play a sport for your whole life and that's become your identity to then be open to opening up new things. And I think by the time some players think about doing it, their name doesn't light the room up the way it used to. I mean, to me, I just feel like while you're doing it, you want to be in the rooms that you can be in and ask the questions. And a lot of athletes don't think that they're prepared to walk into boardrooms when really, you know what pressure is knocking down a free throw in front of 24,000 people.

[Tracy McGrady]

Say it again.

[Candace Parker]

That's pressure. So speaking in a Boardroom is nothing. Pressure is trying to win after being on the training block or having to come back after an injury or things like that. So I think athletes have to believe in themselves even more. And also, I think sharing is caring. I know for me, my motivation was Magic Johnson. Like, I looked at Magic and I was like, he unlocked business for athletes in the way that he went about things. However, I was like, I don't see me in that. So, like, let's create that and let's open up more doors. And so I just love the fact that I do be able. I'm able to have conversations with my big brothers about business, about next moves, about investments, because I think athletes, we're a team sport, so we're used to sharing and caring, and so I hope we do more of that.

[Vince Carter]

And that was, I think, one of the. I think, one of the biggest challenges, though, athletes have. And I'm sure you guys can attest to this. If you don't have the right team, that's the hardest thing to find. You gotta have the right team that supports you, right? And if you can't find that, then you're really gonna be someone that doesn't get those opportunities, doesn't elevate your brand. And for a while, that was me. I was with an agency and I was doing all this stuff, working. I was going back and forth to China. I was getting opportunities, but it really.

[Candace Parker]

Do you know how many Tracy's are in China? Just so you know, in China, they pick an American name. Is Kobe A TR Tracy are the two names that they have. So there's like a bunch of people walking around Tracy.

[Vince Carter]

So it's about finding that right team that is. That sees the value in you and that has the relationships and the resources. Be able to elevate you and open up certain doors that, you know, you probably couldn't open up, but they can open up for you. So I got with a new agency, man, and my agency has been working their ass off and opening these doors. Doors and different opportunities. And, you know, here we are speaking at the super bowl and doing all this stuff like that is.

[Tracy McGrady]

And I'll say this real quick for, you know, the biggest thing for the young generation coming in, like, they have all the money in the world, you know, but like, once you walk away from it, like, how do you help that grow for generations to come in your family? And your willingness to sit down and have the conversations you're willing to. Your willingness to sit in the. In the. When the NBPA would Come in, you know, or. Or, you know, they would come, the NBA would come, or WNBA would come into our locker rooms and talk about life after basketball. Your willingness to listen. You know, like I said, I played for 20 years. So I say at one point, I was like, at year 10, 12, 13, I was like, I've heard this before. I've heard this before. But at the same time, 15, 16, 17, I started asking more questions. And I was the one, the oldest in the league, but I was like, this is how you set the groundwork for you guys. Like, you guys now have the money now, understanding what to do with that, how to navigate to life at the basketball, because you guys can make the money that they're making now, 50, 60 a year. That's great. But, like, you're gonna live that lifestyle. Once they finish playing, they should not have to spend that money and they have to learn how to do it. So that was. That's my encouragement to young guys now, your willingness to not feel like, because you're up here, this is more reason for you to go sit in these rooms, have those conversations to build life after basketball now. So, you know, that was a home run for me doing that, just being willing to listen.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah, I just think it's like, you.

[Candace Parker]

Know, like people say, like, if I die, and it's like, no, everybody's gonna die. Right? Like, a lot of people say, you know, if I retire. No, it's when. And it's gonna happen.

[Tracy McGrady]

Be prepared.

[Candace Parker]

It's being prepared, but it's also being confident in the skill set you have and also remembering how you built that skill set. Like the law of 10,000 hours. Malcolm Gladwell. You're not going to just enter into another field without putting in the time. And so I think that that's an important step. But again, I think we could talk about this all day. Let's get to the name of your podcast. Cousins, because you guys are cousins. Can you quickly tell what that first meetup was like when you guys found out? For those of you that don't know, they didn't know they were cousins, you want to quickly tell that story.

[Tracy McGrady]

Short version is basically going through high school playing for Team Florida. I'm the older cousin, and. And I'm playing. He was playing on. The younger group would admire and see Tracy playing. You know, would get there early to watch him play. He would stay late to watch me play. We move forward. Tracy comes out, you know, he declares for the draft out of high school. I am a sophomore in college. He comes into Chapel Hill, first day, looking for somewhere to put his stuff and play pickup to get ready for the draft. I see him like, oh, man, that's the dude I from Florida that I used to watch use my locker. Cool, cool, cool. We played both of the week. Get to the what, Friday? Well, Thursday, he's like, I'm not gonna be here Friday. Going to a family reunion. See you next week. I'm like, cool. You know, I didn't go to many of them because I'm like, I'm in college. So I was doing summer. Summer school and all those things, so it just didn't have the time. I was trying to finish school.

[Candace Parker]

It's okay. You didn't go to your family reunion.

[Tracy McGrady]

I didn't. It's okay. I remember Mom. So, yeah. Yeah, y' all skipped it.

[Candace Parker]

He skipped it.

[Tracy McGrady]

It's a lot of pressure on. So next thing I know, Saturday afternoon, I get a phone call on my phone, but it says my grandmother's name. I'm like, okay, she's calling me. Never put the two together. He was going to one. She's calling me. I was like, grandma, what's going on? Grandma wasn't on the phone. It was this guy, you know? Now, like, what's up, cuz? You know, all of these things. So the story goes that. And. And now we're, you know, just trying to put the pieces together. Like, wait, you. After all these years, move forward to that. So that year, my junior year, we're playing. I would hear from this dude every year because he says to me, I'm gonna make sure Toronto drafts you. All right, cool story. And next thing I know, I'm drafted by the Toronto Raptors, you know, and we get to play. So for me, I have a smaller family, so. Which. Which makes this whole thing, I think, this dynamic so strange, but cool, because I was. My brother. I was a senior, my brother was a freshman, kind of getting his way. So I transitioned. So I never really had family members. I have, you know, always in. Cause my. I was in Daytona beach, my family was in Miami, blah, blah, blah. Now I get to play professional basketball with a family member that I'm finding out it's my cousin. We rock the world. We go do our thing. We create our name. We made a name in the dunk contest, and so on and so forth. And now move.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah. Do it one time for the people. One time. One time for the people.

[Tracy McGrady]

One time. And here we are, 25, 30 years. Well, 25 years. 20. 25, 25 years later, we're now teammates again, doing all these wonderful things and just trying to, you know, encourage people. Like you said, you just never know. Stay the course and love on your family, you find that best friend, you know, you can make it work. Like, this is easy. Podcasting is easy when, when you with people, you know, but like, we get to go into business together and it's always, you know, you always want to find people you can trust when you're trying to make your move in life.

[Candace Parker]

Well, good thing Tracy went to that family reunion. We would never know.

[Vince Carter]

This is the truth.

[Candace Parker]

The grind of the league is something a lot of people don't understand. All of us have had moments in our career where one decision could have completely changed the trajectory of our careers. So real crossroads moments. With that in mind, it's time for Crossroads, presented by nhtsa. The sound of a seatbelt is one of the most important sounds in our car. It means everyone is ready and everyone is safe. Make it a priority. Buckle up every time. Hear the sound. Make it happen. Paid for by nhtsa. All right, when you think about the moment you decided to leave Toronto because see, see what we doing there? The crossroads. Did you get the double entendre? Did you see that? All right, what factors mattered most to you at that time, and how do you feel about that decision now?

[Vince Carter]

I mean, obviously looking back, you know, I could sit here and say, yeah, I wish I never left. But what people don't understand is Grant Hill was my teammate. Like, this was one of the baddest.

[Candace Parker]

Dudes on the planet in Orlando.

[Vince Carter]

Yes, he was my teammate for four years, but unfortunately, you know, he had. Prior to our season together, he had the ankle injury. He just never got healthy. But so looking back on that, I'm.

[Tracy McGrady]

Like, yeah, you should get the analogy, the real analogy about girlfriend, the crush.

[Vince Carter]

But I'm getting to okay, but I'm not going to use that. What Toronto was up against. He just told you the story of us playing AU basketball together. Well, what he didn't tell you, I used to drive every day to pass the Orlando Magic Arena. So as a kid, Orlando Magic being my favorite team, my favorite player is playing for this organization. I grew up 30 miles from here, and I'm passing this arena every day, and I'm like, all of this is. I'm consuming all this, and it's giving me vision of what the future looks like for me.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah.

[Vince Carter]

And that's what it was like. I wanted to play in that building one day in that uniform. So when I had the opportunity to jump Ship. It was no hesitation. It had nothing to do with my cousin. It had nothing to do with Toronto. This is everything about Orlando. My childhood and what I had my. My vision and my eyes set on for me to be a part of the Orlando Magic organization. That's what that was.

[Candace Parker]

All right, well, as a fan of you, before I take this ad break, as a fan of both of you all growing up like I had that All Star game on repeat on a VHS tape. That's how old I am. What version of Tracy McGrady is your favorite version? Houston, Toronto basketball player or Orlando? I mean.

[Vince Carter]

I don't think anybody on the planet was better than 03TMAC. And that includes this cat sitting talk.

[Candace Parker]

That talk that I like, that that's.

[Vince Carter]

Nobody on the planet in 03 I don't think was better than TMAC. And I'mma stick to that.

[Candace Parker]

I love when he start talking about himself in the third person. It gets the people going. Let's go. Gets the people going. All right, we're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back after a word from our sponsor. Na.

[Vince Carter]

I'm U.S. transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. The sound of a seatbelt, it's one of the most important sounds in our car. It means everyone is ready and everyone is safe. The more our kids see us put on our seatbelts, the more natural it is for them to put theirs on too. Make it a priority. Buckle up every time. Hear the sound. Make it a habit. Paid for by nhtsa.

[Candace Parker]

So I've seen all the promos for NBA All Star weekend. Really? This is what we gonna do?

[Tracy McGrady]

Sorry, carry on.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, I was just wondering. All right, so I've seen all the promos for NBA All Star weekend.

[Tracy McGrady]

Oh, Lord, I've seen that.

[Candace Parker]

You guys are both coaching rising stars game with Carmelo and Austin Rivers. So you are going to be coaching. Who are you most excited to coach? What young player most excites you?

[Tracy McGrady]

I can answer his easily.

[Vince Carter]

Yes, he can.

[Tracy McGrady]

I already know what he's gonna say.

[Candace Parker]

What is he gonna.

[Tracy McGrady]

He's gonna say, go ahead.

[Vince Carter]

So I had my eyes set on this cat in preseason. I loved him in college. I just think he was. He was taught the game of basketball the right way. He plays the game the right way. He's fundamentally sound. But he's a dog as well. And he shoots the ball on the level of Steph Curry and his.

[Candace Parker]

I know where you're going.

[Vince Carter]

I'm a con caniple fan. I love con canipple out of Charlotte. You Know, I just think how he plays the game and what he brings to that team, they haven't had before. Shooting is a premium. They haven't had that. And he's delivering in great fashion on how he's shooting the ball this year. So I'm excited to coach him, try to get him to hit like 12 threes in our game.

[Candace Parker]

So you got something you're going to draw.

[Vince Carter]

And, you know, we play him first, too, so I can't wait. I'm going to have a very special talk to my team because this is personal. It's personal. Yeah. Anytime you and I have any type of competition, you know it's. It's personal because you got me in that damn slam dunk contest when I didn't want to. So I'm always. Ladies and gentlemen, it's always going to be personal when it's versus him.

[Candace Parker]

And that was iconic, cuz he got.

[Vince Carter]

Me into this slam dunk contest.

[Tracy McGrady]

He didn't disappoint either.

[Vince Carter]

I mean, listen, listen. In 2000, right, this is like, you know, you at a disadvantage. You know you're at a disadvantage.

[Tracy McGrady]

You.

[Vince Carter]

Why would. You can't win this.

[Tracy McGrady]

But you can, right?

[Vince Carter]

You can't win this. I knew. I can't. I knew it at the time.

[Candace Parker]

But, like, at what moment did you know that you. That. It was probably as soon as he.

[Vince Carter]

Said he was in.

[Candace Parker]

So it wasn't even a dunk. He did. It was just like he in it.

[Vince Carter]

Y' all do remember the slam dunk?

[Tracy McGrady]

He didn't want to do it.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah.

[Vince Carter]

You remember his first dunk?

[Candace Parker]

Yes.

[Vince Carter]

It was the most incredible thing that we've seen in a slam dunk contest. And whoever came after him, shout out to Jerry Stacker. Yo, that was. I know. We shifted to.

[Candace Parker]

I switched. No, this is where we. This is actually where we're going.

[Vince Carter]

It was the first funniest thing on that bench when he went out and made that first dunk and we. Everyone looked at the next person that was next, and that was Jerry. Sack house. Go ahead, buddy.

[Tracy McGrady]

Go put on the show.

[Candace Parker]

Did you guys converse about or was it straight competition? Like, did y' all converse about the dunks you were gonna do?

[Vince Carter]

No, we freestyle.

[Tracy McGrady]

No, because the only conversation that was happening leading up to it is making sure that he didn't quit.

[Vince Carter]

He was quitting.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'm serious.

[Vince Carter]

Like, once I got in, it wasn't no quitting, right?

[Tracy McGrady]

No, no. I said leading up to it.

[Vince Carter]

Like, not getting in. I don't like quitting words.

[Tracy McGrady]

Quit.

[Vince Carter]

Okay.

[Tracy McGrady]

Not getting In.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Tracy McGrady]

Backing out. Backing out. Yeah. Okay, fine.

[Candace Parker]

Whatever.

[Tracy McGrady]

That was the conversation.

[Candace Parker]

Whatever.

[Tracy McGrady]

You're right. He did not quit. But you, you wanted. You wanted to not get enter.

[Vince Carter]

Not enter.

[Tracy McGrady]

Not enter. Okay, let's use that a couple of times.

[Candace Parker]

And I'm. I'm being asked by our producer to move it along. But I just. I'm gonna ask questions as a fan. Cause I was a fan in 2020.

[Vince Carter]

Why they got specific questions they want to hit.

[Candace Parker]

No, no, no, no. I'm saying for.

[Vince Carter]

We having a conversation with our conversation. They want to hear about the slam dunk. We trying to hear that shit. Talking about moving along? Hell no. We good.

[Tracy McGrady]

Okay.

[Vince Carter]

Okay. Okay.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'll say this real quick to add to that. So the biggest. The biggest thing to that, like you said, leading up to it, was that, you know, if you know the story, that our car from in here in San Francisco, we couldn't find our driver, so he was nowhere to be found. I don't know. But we. We talked in. Some player had their driver who was missing because he took us over to Oakland. And by the time we got there, we missed our practice. So we missed warm ups. All the other guys got a chance to practice, warm up, figure out what dunks they were going to do. We did not. By the time we walked into the building, into that arena, they were coming out of practice. Three point contest is almost over. We're now getting ready for warm up the layup line for the contest. So all of the things that took place that you see, you go back and watch all kind of happen in a matter of 30 minutes or so.

[Candace Parker]

You went up and you put your arm in the rim with no activation. You just went out there and hit it like, ah.

[Tracy McGrady]

And then you. My warm up was in the layup line trying to figure out what the heck my duck routine that I was going to do. I scratched because I was like, it's not good enough. It's not going to win.

[Candace Parker]

No. And then you were just like, let me do a 360 windmill that I couldn't do between the legs and elbow dunk.

[Tracy McGrady]

Ah.

[Candace Parker]

On top of that, I'm scratch the dunks.

[Vince Carter]

There's what you don't know.

[Tracy McGrady]

Watch this. Here you go.

[Vince Carter]

We didn't know you had to use a partner, so we never practiced that. We never practiced.

[Tracy McGrady]

So you're telling me we got.

[Candace Parker]

You just. We were like, hey, let's.

[Vince Carter]

We didn't know.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yes. I don't know. I told him to bounce the ball about waist height, whatever that was. Well, There a kid in there and get the heck out the way. And he said what? I. So if you go back and watch it, watch when he walks away and he's looking like.

[Vince Carter]

I didn't know what is he going to do? I had. I was shocked just like everybody. The. The millions and the 20,000 that was in the. And that was present. I was shocked just like them because.

[Tracy McGrady]

I didn't tell him what I was going to do. I said, bounce it and get the.

[Vince Carter]

Hell out of it.

[Tracy McGrady]

Get. Yeah, get the hell out the way.

[Vince Carter]

That what he said. That what he told me. I followed instructions. It was one of the most amazing dunks.

[Tracy McGrady]

And I told this on the pod, but I'm gonna say it again. I was so excited about being there. Everybody asked me if I was nervous. Like, no, I was more terrified being his partner because we didn't practice and messing up the bounce for him because if I. If I gave him a bad pass, he went in and missed it.

[Vince Carter]

So considerate.

[Tracy McGrady]

What. What happens? You guys look at me funny. So I. That was. I was terrified of the bounce. He's like bouncing here. I'm catching. You know what he did, what he did. But like, that was dunk it. That was. No, I didn't care about that. But I didn't want to mess it up for him because I knew what he can bring to the table.

[Candace Parker]

Okay, well, dunk contest, three point contest happening this weekend. Obviously, I think you two are part of the reason why it's the. It's ruined. No, I don't mean to be like this, but honestly, like, I've seen. I mean. Oh, I had never seen. No, I went out to my little nine foot hoop in my driveway and I went out and put my arm in the rim and had bruises all on my arm the entire time trying to dunk like that. I had never seen that.

[Tracy McGrady]

I had never done that before.

[Candace Parker]

Okay. And I'm. And I'm saying the fact that you just pulled that right before seems like.

[Tracy McGrady]

A good idea in the moment. And it was clearly, you know, the.

[Vince Carter]

One thing I wanted across America with Candace, elbows. You guys all bruised this one out, though. Like, I. I know you're talking about that one, but I'm gonna get him to tell y' all what his plan was, what he really wanted to do in the slam dunk contest. Could you explain to him what the dunk that you wanted to do with the two elbows?

[Tracy McGrady]

Oh, so, yeah.

[Candace Parker]

Damn. I'd have really been messed up.

[Tracy McGrady]

I told the story one time and now I gotta Tell every. So in high school.

[Vince Carter]

Listen to this.

[Tracy McGrady]

In high school, my senior year, we were fooling around the gym, and this is a dunk that I wanted to do for a big contest where I felt like I was in competition. And this is my. Aha. You've never seen this. What?

[Vince Carter]

Hold on, hold on, hold on. Now I'm going. Let him tell this story. But I've seen this guy. I told you. I played on a younger version in high school of team Florida, and he was on the senior team. I seen this man at the top of the backboard. I seen this with my own eyes. And this is like, so, like, this is no gas drink shoes, girl. I see in the layup line, he used to go up with the ball to the top like this and just look in the rim and drop the ball in.

[Tracy McGrady]

Now, because you could not dunk. You couldn't dunk, you couldn't touch the rim. That's how old we are. So you're not allowed to touch the rim dunk. So I used to just jump up there and be like, boop, like some ice.

[Vince Carter]

Now, now tell the story.

[Tracy McGrady]

So, okay, so tell the story. So, yes, I could touch the back top of the backboard in high school. So we're going around there just trying to figure out different things. Just jumping up there, used to jumping up there, touching. So in my mind, I said, okay, I would go up to the rim, jump up, put both elbows on the rim, and then come down and dunk it. But at that time.

[Candace Parker]

Wait, wait, wait.

[Vince Carter]

You heard it, you heard him.

[Candace Parker]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Like this, like this, like this.

[Tracy McGrady]

So what I did.

[Candace Parker]

So you're in the rim, both.

[Tracy McGrady]

So here's the rim. Both elbows touch the top of the rim, then come off. And I just did a simple one hand dunk because y' all want me to get in the dunk contest with.

[Vince Carter]

This dude, like, really? But nobody seeing this since high school. That's why I was so hesitant about getting in the slam dunk contest.

[Tracy McGrady]

So this is my second time ever telling the story. Literally last week, my first time. The second time was this. Because I just. But yes, that was the goal. To put two on there and then whatever. So possibly consider. But I could jump higher in high school.

[Candace Parker]

We've been working together a long time, and you didn't tell me this story. That's crazy.

[Tracy McGrady]

I jumped higher in high school than I did in the pro. So, like, you know, I wasn't sure if I could still do it, but that was. Would be something I would do so now somebody. They jumping higher now. They could do it. Take it off of here. You can go windmill, possibly go back.

[Candace Parker]

You know, somebody did that.

[Tracy McGrady]

I. Can somebody dunk, coach?

[Candace Parker]

That actually would be amazing right now.

[Vince Carter]

Who.

[Candace Parker]

Who do you. Who do you. Let's see. Hold on. It's branded. All right. All right. Before we move on, we got to talk about our NBA predictions presented by ZipRecruiter.

[Tracy McGrady]

So shout out to Zip Recruiter.

[Candace Parker]

Zip Recruiter. Shout out who you got as rookie of the year. Obviously, I know who you're picking as a rookie of the year. Who do you have as rookie of the year?

[Vince Carter]

I got. I got Cooper.

[Candace Parker]

Oh, you got Cooper?

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

Okay.

[Tracy McGrady]

I thought he's up there.

[Vince Carter]

Khan is a close second. Yeah. Khan is pushing him to keep playing.

[Tracy McGrady]

The way he's playing. I agree with that. Cooper.

[Candace Parker]

You got Cooper. Same. Who do you have as mvp? Well, because of. Well, you got to factor in missed games. Jokic, is he eligible?

[Vince Carter]

He can't miss. I think he's one more game, and then he's on it.

[Candace Parker]

And then Luca now out with his hamstring.

[Vince Carter]

For me, it's Jalen Brown. Jalen Brown.

[Tracy McGrady]

Oh, no. He's.

[Vince Carter]

He's. He's been Jalen Brown.

[Tracy McGrady]

He's been saying that for a while. So this is not real hot.

[Vince Carter]

Take Jaylen Brown is the MVP explanation.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah, I would love it.

[Vince Carter]

So you look at Shea, look at Jokic. Like, these guys have their core group.

[Tracy McGrady]

Denver.

[Vince Carter]

Denver has brought some new pieces in, but, you know, his core guys are there. Shape, whole team is back. You look at Jalen Brown, Horford is going. JT is out. Drew Holiday is gone. Pozingas is going. That's four of their core. Their core guys, Starters. Right. And you know how hard it is to implement new players, get them acclimated with your system lingo and have them rotations, all that stuff. Well, they're second in the Eastern Conference, and he's averaging 28, 29 points. And I have to appreciate and give credit when it's due with how he's playing because of what he's lost and what he's doing with that team, I just think that's MVP worthy. He's most valuable player to his team. Those other guys are great. But what he had to do for his team and what he's doing to get them in second place, I don't know how you deny that.

[Tracy McGrady]

Me?

[Candace Parker]

I don't deny it.

[Tracy McGrady]

He's good.

[Candace Parker]

I just am simply saying don't. Don't. Kobe, Luka, like, don't just give, like, don't. Don't get bored with greatness.

[Vince Carter]

So, like, a Doncic is obese.

[Candace Parker]

And I feel like to some extent, like, we overlooked greatness because you see it for extended period of time. I think we did that a little bit with you, honestly. And I think that overlooking greatness means, like, if you win mvp, it's this year, right? Like, you're not taking in, like, oh, what Luca is doing. We cannot get bored with that. We cannot get bored with the ease at which he scores.

[Vince Carter]

Who's the more consistent team? I'm simply saying, who's the more consistent team?

[Candace Parker]

But it's also in the East West.

[Vince Carter]

No MVP is over the whole league.

[Candace Parker]

You're right. But what I'm saying is, I guarantee.

[Vince Carter]

Who'S been the most consistent team.

[Tracy McGrady]

Not Boston.

[Vince Carter]

You said not Boston.

[Tracy McGrady]

Not Boston.

[Candace Parker]

I don't think Boston's been a consistent team. I don't think the most consistent. I thought you were. You're thinking that Boston's been the most consistent team this year.

[Vince Carter]

No, don't say out of Lakers and.

[Candace Parker]

Out of those two. I thought you missed.

[Vince Carter]

That's what we're talking. We're talking about Luke and we're talking about Jaylen Brown. We talking about the Lakers, and we talking about the Celtics. So who's been the most consistent team out of those two? Boston. Who's the head of Boston?

[Tracy McGrady]

Detroit.

[Vince Carter]

I don't hear nothing. It's quiet in here.

[Tracy McGrady]

Detroit.

[Vince Carter]

Detroit.

[Candace Parker]

Basketball. No one's playing.

[Tracy McGrady]

And Kate Cunningham deserves, you know, if.

[Candace Parker]

It'S the criteria, then you would go with the best player on the best team. That's what the finals MVP is for. I'm talking about the.

[Vince Carter]

He's not on the best. He's not on the best team, though.

[Candace Parker]

No, but what I'm saying is, is that, like, Luka isn't either, but I feel like Luka, that engine, like what he does on a night in and night, night out basis, I think people take for granted.

[Tracy McGrady]

I do want to say this. I think we get it. We have to do a better job of not moving the goalpost of the definition of most valuable player. Like, what is that going to mean consistently? And I think that'll help, you know, defined and help us figure out, do better job of MVPs. Because, you know, it's been years past. It's like, okay, which is why the whole joke is things like, for a while, it's like you get, you know, what are we saying? Most valuable. Because, you know, like you said Jaylen Brown Right now is one like he could have won. If Jalen Brown is not on that team, what do they look like? You're trash, Luka.

[Candace Parker]

But if Luca ain't on the Lakers, they're trash.

[Vince Carter]

Still got Austin Reeves, and you got LeBron James.

[Tracy McGrady]

Austin Reeves is on the way to be an Allstar.

[Vince Carter]

You still got Austin Re and LeBron James.

[Tracy McGrady]

Austin Reed is on the way to be all Star.

[Vince Carter]

You got two allstars on that team.

[Candace Parker]

I'm not Deni.

[Tracy McGrady]

I mean, so that's all I'm saying. So I think we. We need to be more consistent in our conversations, you know, around MVP in general. Mvp. And I think that helps us kind of have a better idea, you know, is it most valuable or most popular?

[Candace Parker]

No, I'm going to. I think we could argue about this forever. Finals. Who's meeting in the finals?

[Vince Carter]

Denver.

[Candace Parker]

Denver and who?

[Vince Carter]

Detroit.

[Tracy McGrady]

I think so. I think Detroit.

[Candace Parker]

You think? You think?

[Tracy McGrady]

I do.

[Candace Parker]

Okay. So you're. You're not a believer in OKC anymore?

[Vince Carter]

I am. I just like Denver better. I just like Denver.

[Tracy McGrady]

I'll say this. I want to see a Denver OKC Western Conference finals. And I think I want to see a Detroit Knicks.

[Vince Carter]

I want to see Knicks again. I want to see Knicks again. I want to see that reminder.

[Candace Parker]

Who said Cleveland?

[Tracy McGrady]

The floor is yours. The floor is yours. Somebody said Cleveland. Who?

[Vince Carter]

Who said Cleveland?

[Tracy McGrady]

It doesn't matter. Oh, there he is. The floor is yours.

[Vince Carter]

I'm gonna leave that alone.

[Tracy McGrady]

All right.

[Vince Carter]

I'm gonna leave that alone.

[Tracy McGrady]

But I'd like to see a Detroit Knicks. I think. I think a Detroit Boston right now would be pretty good as well. So. But Detroit, Denver, I like.

[Vince Carter]

I just. I look at Denver up against OKC, you know, they took them seven games last year. They had some injuries. Denver, that is. She bring in Tim Hardaway Jr. Who's playing the best basketball of his career. Cam Johnson hasn't been healthy, but I think he's.

[Candace Parker]

And Aaron Gordon is.

[Vince Carter]

Aaron Gordon is. Is in and out of the lineup. Christian hasn't been.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah, Christian Brown.

[Vince Carter]

Consistent. And you got Valentrinas.

[Tracy McGrady]

And look at what they're doing right now with all that out.

[Vince Carter]

So when Jokic goes out now, you don't have that specific drop off to where, you know, your. Your offense is stagnant now. You got somebody you could play inside and you can put them outside. I love Denver's team.

[Candace Parker]

All right, we gonna see.

[Tracy McGrady]

Who do you say?

[Candace Parker]

I mean, I don't know. I again, I again think that OKC has the depth I think it's going to be. Not talked about their acquisition, that they just got trade deadline.

[Vince Carter]

McCain Jerick. McCain.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah. McCain, I think is going to bring a different type of presence.

[Vince Carter]

He definitely don't do that.

[Candace Parker]

And I do believe, like after you win a championship, that lull happens. It's just they started off so well and so out in front that now I feel like you're getting that championship hangover a little bit. And I want to see them at the beginning of March. I want to see what they.

[Tracy McGrady]

That's the, that's the thing about them is that they understand what it takes to get there. So that's kind of the advantage they have Denver, some. Most of the guys in Denver, but that entire OKC team understands when it's time to actually play playoff basketball. It's. It's not like, okay, this is what it's like. We know what it's like. That's the one thing with Denver, you kind of. Some of the guys, not all of them, but some of them understanding when it gets deep into playoff time, so. But I, I think Denver's going to make sure their guys are healthy for playoff time.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah.

[Candace Parker]

How far do the Lakers make.

[Vince Carter]

All. No, it all. It all depends on the matchup.

[Candace Parker]

It's like asking softball questions.

[Vince Carter]

I think with them, it's matchup. Whereas Lakers, like, when you look at the teams that are ahead of them and a couple teams behind them, they're the worst defensive team.

[Tracy McGrady]

Athletic teams.

[Vince Carter]

Right.

[Tracy McGrady]

Athletic teams.

[Vince Carter]

I do like defensive teams.

[Candace Parker]

I do like, you know, obviously shooting is a big topic of discussion. I do like the needs that they were addressed during.

[Vince Carter]

Yeah, they. They gotta.

[Tracy McGrady]

That's how I feel about Detroit.

[Candace Parker]

Bernard. Yeah, no, Detroit, that was a good pickup. Detroit got better.

[Vince Carter]

That was a good pickup.

[Candace Parker]

Like Detroit is playing chess here.

[Tracy McGrady]

I say one of my former. Kevin Hurt is my former teammate.

[Vince Carter]

Oh, man.

[Tracy McGrady]

I played long enough. Yeah, yeah, exactly. But I think Kevin Herder's a great pickup for them. Now you have. Have two shooters. That one. You have shooters in your starter, shooter in your second unit. He can also play some defense. He can run the floor. He can play some points.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah.

[Tracy McGrady]

Kate doesn't have to have the ball. He could be a score when you.

[Candace Parker]

Need him to be off the ball.

[Tracy McGrady]

Denver scary, man.

[Vince Carter]

Hey, I ain't gonna lie. Last night I came in this room, it was cold as. It's hot as heck.

[Tracy McGrady]

Right?

[Candace Parker]

Okay, well, that's a good. That's a good transition, man.

[Tracy McGrady]

It was night.

[Vince Carter]

I know, but. Shut up, man.

[Candace Parker]

All right. Before we get too far off the rails first.

[Tracy McGrady]

Gonna be good.

[Candace Parker]

Yeah, we already did. All right, that's a wrap on this special episode of Post Moves. Appreciate everyone who came out today.

[Vince Carter]

Oh, that's it. Thank you, guys.

[Candace Parker]

A big shout out to Vince and TMAC for pulling up. And obviously thanks to our partners at NHTSA and ZipRecruiter. Make sure you subscribe on YouTube wherever you get your podcasts and follow us on socials at postmoveshow. That's two S's. And you can also find cousins on [e-mail].

[Vince Carter]

Thank you, guys.

[Candace Parker]

Appreciate it.

[Vince Carter]

Dot com.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah, appreciate it. Dot com.

[Vince Carter]

Could be anywhere.

[Tracy McGrady]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Vince Carter]

Here in San Francisco. But y' all decided to spend this time with us, so we greatly appreciate it.

[Tracy McGrady]

Thank you, man. Thank you.

[Candace Parker]

TMac got hot, so we had to wrap it up.

[Vince Carter]

Thank you.

[Candace Parker]

That's what happened. All right. Thank you.

[Tracy McGrady]

Thank you, everybody. Appreciate it, man.

[Candace Parker]

Thank you.

[Tracy McGrady]

Check us out on the pod because, you know, this is how it is.

[Candace Parker]

Tell your aunties and your friends and your friend friends. Thank you.