Established when he was a “magical” star down in Orlando, Tracy McGrady's signature shoe (designed by Adidas) has done in sales what McGrady hasn't been able to do with the Rockets in the playoffs—exceed expectations. Already with 6 installments of this shoe (not included the “halves,” made popular by Jordan brand sneakers), the Adidas T-Mac has come a long way.
McGrady's first three shoes, The T-Mac, T-Mac 2, and T-Mac 3, all encompassed the same basic design. All three of the shoes were (originally) mid-top with nearly the exact same sole, heel, and toe. The major differences are the side panels. The T-Mac became Adidas' first ever #1 selling shoe, solidifying a lifetime union in contract between McGrady and Adidas. The shoe features two different cushioning systems in the forefoot and heel, making it a choice show for players who, like McGrady, wanted a quick first step. McGrady's shoes in 2003, the T-Mac 2, showed little differences besides in cosmetics, coming in solid colors. The T-Mac 2 came in a low-top version, as well as a solid blue “All-Star” edition, and a red and blue, striped “Olympic” edition. Most consider the T-Mac 2 the most aesthetically pleasing sneaker McGrady has put out. The T-Mac 3 took those stripes that were on the toe of the T-Mac 2 and put them on the side panels. McGrady's All-Star versions of these shoes came in plain-colored patent, in which McGrady, for the All-Star game, wore one blue shoe on one foot, and one red shoe on another.
Around the time McGrady was traded to the Houston Rockets was when the T-Mac 4.5 dropped. These shoes looked much different than the first three, incorporating sealed and hidden lacing and a strap. The shoes first came in blue and then in red, to accommodate McGrady's old fans in Orlando and new fans in Houston. Like other T-Mac's, he released a red/white/blue All-Star form, but in addition, with the All-Star game being held in Denver that year, he released a baby blue and yellow shoe that matched the Nugget's team colors.
The T-Mac 5 was a big turn in direction for the shoe, releasing more colorways and incorporating more materials into the design. An all-black shoe was released and a brown and beige colorway also hit the shelves. This shoe was suede rather than leather, and interestingly had an actual piece of hardwood in the heal. Rather than the traditional tongue-strap that most basketball sneakers had at the time, the T-Mac 5 had a long, wide strap that protruded from the heal to wrap all the way across the shoe.
The T-Mac 6 was released and immediately sampled by Undr Crown and was given multiple All-Star colorways. This shoe had no strap and took on a feel closer to that of Kevin Garnett's signature Adidas shoe. On the soles of the T-Mac 6 are “pods” similar to that on Nike Shox that cushion the foot better than previous installments of the shoe.
Now, in the year 2008, McGrady has to take his step away from the usual numerical shoe updates. The T-Mac TS Light would have been considered the T-Mac 7, but Adidas decided to try a different route. Starting next year, Adidas will no longer make individual sneakers for their players. Instead, main models will be made and have their own color ways and style to represent the player and the uniform. Not yet released, the T-Mac 7's, or Light Speeds, are being awaited nervously by T-Mac fans. Will the shoe disappoint with it's generality, or has Adidas' new approach paid off? We'll have to see during this upcoming NBA season!