Adidas T-Mac 1 - 2012 Retro

Nike Sportswear will remind us of Vince Carter’s best days when the Shox BB4 returns in colorways including the Fred Weis-posterizing ‘USAB’ edition; what about the cousin with whom VC once appeared poised to rule the NBA alongside?  Fellow former Toronto standout Tracy McGrady had to escape from Vinsanity’s shadow (and the impact of his salary on the Raptors’ cap) and ended up as the main star in Orlando for a stretch in the early ’00s when Grant Hill’s role on the team became a mere formality.  McGrady became an All-Star for the first time in his debut season with the Magic, and the adidas T-Mac commemorates that season that immediately preceded back-to-back scoring titles.  It looks like we’ll get an O-Town colorup as well as one that alludes to T-Mac’s time in Houston; let us know which looks best when you’re checking out more shots on the other side.  Photos: Hupu

words // Brandon Richard

Before his career was derailed with nagging back injuries, Tracy McGrady was one of the most exciting young players in the NBA. In fact, circa 2002, many argued that he was the best of the best, even over guys like Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan. As a one-on-one offensive player, the notion wasn't too far-fetched, as T-Mac racked up back-to-back scoring titles in '02 and '03. In the first of those two seasons, McGrady was selected to player in his second All-Star Game, which was held at Philadelphia's First Union Center.

Though the Western Conference won the game and Kobe Bryant claimed MVP honors, T-Mac was the night's show-stealer. In addition to leading the Eastern Conference with 25 points off the bench, he electrified the crowd with anoff-the-backboard self alley-oop that would go on to become one of the signature dunks of his career.

For those that may remember, McGrady wore a special silver and black make-up of his TMAC 1 signature shoe for the '02 All-Star Game. In a bit of surprising news, when adidas brings back the TMAC 1 later this year, it appears that the Philly All-Star colorway is one of the styles that will be dropping. In addition to the silver and black synthetic upper, the shoe features red Liberty Bell and '2002' embroidery on the heel.

There aren't any release details for the All-Star TMAC 1 Retro at the moment, but we'll be sure to keep you updated here at Sole Collector.

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