Tracy McGrady offered a direct explanation for why older players often criticize the modern NBA. In his view, the answer comes down to money and how the league treats its stars.
Speaking on Nightcap with Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson, McGrady pointed to the gap between eras.
"It’s money. It’s money, bro. Did you realize that in the 90s, Reggie Miller and Michael Jordan were only making like two, three million dollars? And they were the top guys. I don’t even think anybody is making two, three million dollars in the league right now, man."
"These guys are making so much money. It’s the money. It’s the money and how the league has really catered to the players. They made the league soft for these guys."
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
"You’re trying to cut down from 82 games now. You’re trying to cut down from 82 and go to 72. I think it’s just all the other stuff, you know, babying and coddling the players when they’re making all this money. It has to be that."
The numbers support the broader idea, even if the exact figures vary. In the 1990-91 season, Patrick Ewing led the league in salary at $4.25 million. Today, Stephen Curry makes $59.6 million this season. Projections show that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will reach $75.6 million by 2030.
The rise is not limited to stars. In 1995, when structured minimum contracts were introduced, a veteran player with over 10 years of experience earned about $225,000. That same tier now pays $3.63 million.
That tension continues to define the debate across eras. The modern game offers more freedom, higher pay, and longer careers. The previous era emphasized durability, physical play, and fewer accommodations.
