In 2003, no one thought TMac was a better player than Kobe. Anybody who watched the Lakers win three rings with Kobe and Shaq saw that Shaq needed Kobe just as much as Kobe needed Shaq. Kobe at such a young age hit HUGE shot after HUGE shot. I'm a Jordan homer and found myself watching MJ again. Hell, even in the press conferences after the games, Shaq referred to Kobe as the best player on the planet. Because he was imo.
McGrady was a statstuffer. He won zero playoff series.
Comparing the two is like comparing Robert Plant to Kid Rock.