"Tracy McGrady didn't hear about his former coach's criticisms of his practice habits until a reporter asked him about them, but wasn't unnerved or surprised.

Jeff Van Gundy said McGrady had Hall of Fame talent, but that he didn't bring the best effort when the bright lights weren't on. Van Gundy, who coached McGrady in Houston from 2004-07, said, "I just wish I could have changed (McGrady's) practice habits and his mentality."

"It's what, four or five years ago," McGrady said. "Jeff is by far my best coach. I've always said that and still talk to him this day."

Van Gundy made his comments last week at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston.

"Tracy McGrady was 1,000 hours of practice," Van Gundy said. "He should be a Hall of Fame player. His talent was other-worldly. He was given a great leg up in the race against other players. He's as close as I've ever seen to someone with a perfect body and a good mind."

McGrady, who has carried teams with less-than-elite talent to the playoffs, feels there's another side to their argument, but kept his cool about the matter."