mdtd
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,567
|
Post by mdtd on May 17, 2020 13:25:49 GMT -5
Running 2 point guards at the same time. Depending which defense is showing or who else is on the floor one of he two will take a more pure point guard role. In the St. Mary's offense when they were running it 2 to 3 years ago, the set plays can start with either PG, but running multiple plays in one possession and having either point lead those the looks the defense has to cover causes difficulties. Whe Hurley ran it at RI both were also really good off ball players, but at St. Mary's one of the two was much better off ball outside shooting and the other more physical driving. Having both really good PGs read the floor very well and communicate with each other and can run set plays or ad lib for single or 2 plays getting players open. So if you can play with 2 point guard at the same time then GateCityAllStar and Daniel Hazan's rationale for Mac leaving falls apart since the Hoyas could also play 2 point guards at the same time. The Hoyas don't run two PG offenses. That was one of the downturns of Mackinjo. It showed with Terrell Allen being the only ball handler and floor general on the offensive end. Mac or Mosely could've taken pressure off of him. When Mac wasn't used in a PG role then, it was very clear it wouldn't happen. Villanova, UVA, etc. do whenever they have the players to.
|
|
|
Post by wilknow on May 17, 2020 13:30:08 GMT -5
Mac ended up being out of place. His relationship was stronger with the crew that left early than the crew which remains!!!
|
|
blueandgray
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,762
|
Post by blueandgray on May 17, 2020 13:47:18 GMT -5
I think this sums it up. Really super nice kid...a gentleman really. Didn’t exactly get what he was looking for at gtown. That’s it.
|
|
saxagael
Platinum Hoya (over 5000 posts)
Posts: 6,900
|
Post by saxagael on May 17, 2020 13:53:25 GMT -5
So if you can play with 2 point guard at the same time then GateCityAllStar and Daniel Hazan's rationale for Mac leaving falls apart since the Hoyas could also play 2 point guards at the same time. The Hoyas don't run two PG offenses. That was one of the downturns of Mackinjo. It showed with Terrell Allen being the only ball handler and floor general on the offensive end. Mac or Mosely could've taken pressure off of him. When Mac wasn't used in a PG role then, it was very clear it wouldn't happen. Villanova, UVA, etc. do whenever they have the players to. Agreeing and adding to... Patrick's been trying to build an up tempo team that pushes the pace with tough defense and uses rebounders to outlet into transition and get the ball to wide open outside shooters, but when that isn't available leans on a really heavy PG started swing and skip pass perimeter, and inside out offense. The middle ground is where the Hoyas ended up with when they had 7 players in rotation and shifted to a PG heavy driven offense when not running. Right after Akinjo left seems to be the exact type of offense that Patrick has been recruiting for with long wings who shoot and can play with in transition, we bound well, and rely on guards to all swing and skip to open shooters Akinjo was a much better point his first year with a lot of room for growth. His second year turned into a disaster. Mac put in a lot of work between seasons to be more of an off ball player to shoot and get more agile. Mac's body style changed and play shifted from a small power guard to more of a shooter and ability to play a lot of heavy pressure minutes. I'm not sure Mac needed to leave to show the NBA what they were looking for, but if going for full PG game and mentality, that likely wasn't going to be Georgetown. Oddly, what Patrick is saying he wants to get to and the program style he is trying to consistantly have is the NBA guard focused offenses who can distribute, create for others, and lean on them for outside shooting. I agree with Villanova as a great guard school (I won't admit here that I really like their guard style of play). Virginia seems like it is also trying to be a guard heavy school, but run a slow clock-draining offense.
|
|
|
Post by michaelgrahmstylie on May 17, 2020 13:55:21 GMT -5
Mac was and is focused on getting to the next level. God bless him, and hope all his dreams come true. I am moving on.
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 14:04:20 GMT -5
With regard to (a) I don't see what purpose there would be for Ewing to mislead fans. I think it is possible that he had knowledge McClung was withdrawing from the draft, and assumed he was coming back; at most, he was oblivious to the likelihood of a transfer, which is concerning in and of itself. With regard to (b) there is zero chance that Ewing's statement in an interview impacted the kid's professional prospects, that is a huge reach. I don't see what purpose there is to misleading fans either other than to make yourself look better to Andy Katz or - as njhoylawya suggested - he wanted to force the issue by ending McClung's process so Ewing could get resolution and free up McClung's scholarship because he knew he was transferring. And yes, it affects your professional prospects when you can't get input because teams don't call you back because they think you've announced you are returning. From April 23->May 5, Mac McClung transferring or staying in the draft was the biggest thing we talked about here. Patrick Ewing is not Mr. Magoo, I don't understand how you suggest that he's oblivious to that. And if he is oblivious to the widespread rumors that his best player is transferring, when it's all over the place, what does that say about him? I give him more credit than that, not sure why you don't. Here's the interview Ewing did on May 11 : www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/05/11/qa-patrick-ewing-georgetown-recruiting-mac-mcclung-last-dance/As far as I know, that's the only press he did that discussed the team between May 5 and May 11. There was no attempt to apologize or to say anything positive about McClung, and he was pretty effusive about Jalen Harris. I think he had written McClung off by then. They then signed another combo guard a day before McClung's transfer - which if you think McClung is returning, do you sign an unranked 2* at his position? I agree with everything except confusing his draft process. If it was simply a hiccup then Mac and Ewing would’ve talked right after. And if that was the case, all it would take is one phone call or email from Pat to these NBA teams to clear up any confusion. Like that’s how it would practically happen and it could’ve all been handled the same day so I don’t see how it could be that disruptive unless Mac’s camp never followed up with Ewing after that, in which case I’d have to make the logical jump that the agent was behind that and trying to finesse the situation, so if there was any actual confusion with NBA teams it would have been because the agent was trying to handle it on his own rather than let Mac communicate with Ewing, which would be his own negligence. Ewing has these folks on speed dial, it would’ve been nothing for him to clear the air. Of course, there is also the possibility that Mac did ask and Ewing refused, in which case as much as many would want to hold that against Pat, maybe speculate about some of the reasons he would say no. Has Ewing shown himself to be petty and unfair? Well not really, in fact kind of the opposite. So IF he refused to clear the air, he probably had good reason and felt justified in forcing Mac’s hand. I mean for all we know Ewing could’ve known it in his gut from before Mac declared, and certainly by the time he saw that picture of him signing on the dotted line.....
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 14:09:15 GMT -5
Yes I think he definitely knew McClung was leaving before he signed Berger. If he was forcing the issue he still ends looking foolish, oblivious or both. Not a good look for him or the program. Looks foolish to people who would disagree with the decision. And the decision was him basically him putting the team’s interest over Mac’s. Which is the right decision. Consider what another poster said - Mac does ya no good if he’s playing here disgruntled. Ewing can’t control how Mac feels about his own ability. There is like 2% of the basketball world who believes he can transform himself into a facilitating pg. I would feel fine if he were the only PG on our roster but I still don’t see the transformation happening any time soon. He should’ve mode his game after what backup PGs in the league look like, cause often the starters and backups play much different styles. He could focus on facilitating for short stretches here and there and be a microwave scorer when nobody else is hitting. Anywho, I think Pat is A okay with those that disagree with the decision to put his team first.
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 14:10:13 GMT -5
For starters, both of those guys were far more polished players coming out of high school, and their rankings reflected that. Graham was around 40, Napier 80.. Mac was in the mid 200's. Secondly, neither of those guys was considered a combo guard coming out of high school. Both were considered pure point guards. Either guy playing off the ball in college would've been a result of there being other really, really good options at PG (Mason & Boatwright) but their coach wanting to have both guys out on the floor. Beyond that, Graham did start at PG as a senior. Napier shared PG duties throughout college with Boatwright. Neither guy was exclusively a SG throughout college as Mac has been thus far. At the end of the day no one was going to question Graham or Napier's PG abilities because they were always PG's to begin with, regardless if they had to adjust and play some SG in order to find playing time. Mac on the other hand was really just a basketball player coming out of high school. He was far more raw skills wise than those guys. Why? Because he was a late starter/bloomer at the sport. He had one summer of AAU ball playing with and against high level guys. Aside from that he had 4 years of playing with and against probably some of the worst competition in the country in high school. I don't know Napier and Grahams history, but I imagine like most kids they were playing AAU ball at a young age, playing in camps with other high level kids, and playing with and against much better competition than Mac had in Gate City at their high schools. So of course they are going to be more polished players than Mac at their position. They both likely had a huge head start and a major competition advantage. You can also take into account the winning factor. Graham played for Kansas, a perennial top 5 school just about every year. Napier was the best player on a national championship team. Mac's team hasn't even been to the NCAA tournament yet, and was unlikely to get there next season even if he returned. I think where we disagree is that you and many others seem to think Mac can simply play SG but take on more of a facilitator role at that position. In doing so this would show NBA teams he can play PG. I disagree. I believe he has to actually play PG to show teams he can play PG. Again, Mac doesn't have the past history of being a high level PG in high school and on AAU teams. He still has to learn the position. Those guys already knew the position. The only way you learn the position is to play the position. Also, look at guys like Howard and Powell. I am sure they heard the same stuff Mac is hearing. So why didn't they take on that facilitator SG role like everyone says Mac should do? Maybe they are mentally incapable of it like you all think Mac is. Or maybe they did what their team needed them to do which was score points. Mac was going to need to score more than ever next season, not be a facilitator. Before the Harris transfer I think Mac would've had an opportunity to do both. Score a bunch and facilitate a bunch (think a poor man's Ja Morant role), because quite frankly he was the best at both things that was remaining on the roster. Once Harris transferred, he trumped Mac as a better facilitator, so that bumped Mac back over to full time scorer and back in the Powell/Howard role which NBA folks don't have much interest in when you're 6'2. This is where we differ. Regardless of what position they played they showed the ability to score, facilitate, and make the players around them better. They're multidimensional players that you can run an offense through and trust they will make the right decision. That includes the ability to score, or set up a teammate. Recognizing mismatches and exploiting them. Knowing the difference between a bad shot, good shot, and great shot. Being patient enough to allow the offense to work before going at it alone. Knowing when to back it up and restart the offense if necessary. It didn't matter what position they played. They're approach to the game is that of a pg. They see the game and act like a coach on the floor. Scouts see that and know it translates. Mac can play whatever position he wants, but until his mental approach changes and becomes more like those players he won't be regarded as much of a pg prospect. Playing pg and being one are completely different things. If his mental approach was similar to those players it wouldn't matter what position he played. On a side note you mentioned Westbrook's approach never being like a true point and scouts overlooking that. I think it's important to mention the numbers tell a different story. Russ led UCLA in assists at nearly 5 a game from the 2 spot, and only averaged 14ppg as a Soph before jumping to the NBA. Those are stats of a lead guard prospect. This
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 14:13:01 GMT -5
Picking up Berger is covering yourself. With the NBA draft and combine being postponed indefinitely (and next season likely starting in January 2021), you can't handcuff yourself to a decision that might not come till July or August. The deadline to pull yourself out of the draft is June 15th, so I don't think that's true. We started recruiting Nike Sibande in late April at the same time as the transfer rumor, we were mentioned on Jalen Carey on May 4th. I think they had a good idea that he was not coming back in late April, which is why that Katz interview was so bad on so many levels. I think they knew the Mac transfer thing was a definite at the point that they inked Berger. I also think Georgetown is more attractive to a Berger if you know McClung isn't around for another two years. The weird thing about the Ewing-getting-impatient-and-forcing the issue theory is it is very likely that there's no college basketball next year and the entire Senior class becomes grad transfers. In that situation, having open scholarships is great and a Nike Sibande or a Jalen Carey aren't must-haves that you need to blow up your relationship with your best player who might be transferring to get in on them. This I agree with - I think he definitely pulled out early to get himself in the best possible transfer situation. Whether he could have gotten a two-way deal or something like that, I don Good points but another reason to force his hand could’ve been that Ewing has known or sensed for months that Mac wasn’t coming back either way but didn’t want to blow up his spot and was being courteous to him. I’d put my money on Wwing catching wind long before the twittersphere did...
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 14:17:53 GMT -5
Mac hunts for himself from the wing, if there’s nothing there, he let’s the other four teammates come up with something. Distributing the ball is not in his DNA. Agreed. But it could be, maybe he needs to be on a team where there are several players clearly better than him. He’s always been in an environment where he’s felt like (and been) the teams biggest offensive threat for the most part. And he’s put in so many reps and so much work in on that from they’ve become hard habits. He’s gonna have to work hard (and smart) to undo some of those habits and tendencies. Maybe he’s right that a fresh start could work, particularly if he throws himself into a situation with a few bonafide NBA players ahead of him to learn from. If he goes to a team where he’s the biggest scoring threat or with low expectations on the defensive end I fear he’ll have a lot of trouble growing.
|
|
hoyaroc
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,324
|
Post by hoyaroc on May 17, 2020 15:05:31 GMT -5
You could tell from his TikTok videos! And his IG account! Where were his teammates in any of his stories/posts? He is a one man show on and off the court! But really, you could see all season that Q, Omer, Terrell, Jagan, Juggy, Morko, Georgey were much more supportive of each other, posting/reposting about each other, way more than Mac did. Mac would just repost his teammates' stuff if it included him or he was tagged in it, but he never initiated any showing of camaraderie on his page. For god's sake, he can't ruin his image for his IG crowd! Also, I praised Mac when Akinjo left due to selfish reason, and I'll eat crow right now, I didn't realize until mid/late season that Mac was no different. I kept my comments to myself because he was still a Hoya. In hindsight, I wish Akinjo stayed after the UNCG game and Mac transferred. Akinjo is less likely to get injured and probably would have stayed for the possible 2020-21 season if he wasn't going to get drafted. I know he doesn't follow orders but at least he would still be on the court, and maybe his attitude would've changed if there was no Mac. I wished Akinjo stayed as well. I knew that Mackinjo thing would not last. Akinjo in my opinion felt he’s being paired with a player that’s ranked lower than him.
|
|
HoyaDr
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 616
|
Post by HoyaDr on May 17, 2020 15:23:07 GMT -5
You could tell from his TikTok videos! And his IG account! Where were his teammates in any of his stories/posts? He is a one man show on and off the court! But really, you could see all season that Q, Omer, Terrell, Jagan, Juggy, Morko, Georgey were much more supportive of each other, posting/reposting about each other, way more than Mac did. Mac would just repost his teammates' stuff if it included him or he was tagged in it, but he never initiated any showing of camaraderie on his page. For god's sake, he can't ruin his image for his IG crowd! Also, I praised Mac when Akinjo left due to selfish reason, and I'll eat crow right now, I didn't realize until mid/late season that Mac was no different. I kept my comments to myself because he was still a Hoya. In hindsight, I wish Akinjo stayed after the UNCG game and Mac transferred. Akinjo is less likely to get injured and probably would have stayed for the possible 2020-21 season if he wasn't going to get drafted. I know he doesn't follow orders but at least he would still be on the court, and maybe his attitude would've changed if there was no Mac. I wished Akinjo stayed as well. I knew that Mackinjo thing would not last. Akinjo in my opinion felt he’s being paired with a player that’s ranked lower than him. Also Akinjo worked better with Omer because he is a true PG. It's just unfortunate he wanted Macs shots instead of flourishing as a primary distributor.
|
|
hoyaroc
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,324
|
Post by hoyaroc on May 17, 2020 15:28:07 GMT -5
I wished Akinjo stayed as well. I knew that Mackinjo thing would not last. Akinjo in my opinion felt he’s being paired with a player that’s ranked lower than him. Also Akinjo worked better with Omer because he is a true PG. It's just unfortunate he wanted Macs shots instead of flourishing as a primary distributor. I blame coach Ewing. But I understand coach is trying to win ASAP.
|
|
HOYAPLAYA
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
IT'S TIME FOR A RUNNNNNNN!!!!!!
Posts: 1,329
|
Post by HOYAPLAYA on May 17, 2020 15:48:09 GMT -5
an inefficient guard that didn't make us any better or worse over the last 2 years.
|
|
madhoya
Bulldog (over 250 posts)
Posts: 282
|
Post by madhoya on May 17, 2020 15:54:17 GMT -5
You could tell from his TikTok videos! And his IG account! Where were his teammates in any of his stories/posts? He is a one man show on and off the court! But really, you could see all season that Q, Omer, Terrell, Jagan, Juggy, Morko, Georgey were much more supportive of each other, posting/reposting about each other, way more than Mac did. Mac would just repost his teammates' stuff if it included him or he was tagged in it, but he never initiated any showing of camaraderie on his page. For god's sake, he can't ruin his image for his IG crowd! Also, I praised Mac when Akinjo left due to selfish reason, and I'll eat crow right now, I didn't realize until mid/late season that Mac was no different. I kept my comments to myself because he was still a Hoya. In hindsight, I wish Akinjo stayed after the UNCG game and Mac transferred. Akinjo is less likely to get injured and probably would have stayed for the possible 2020-21 season if he wasn't going to get drafted. I know he doesn't follow orders but at least he would still be on the court, and maybe his attitude would've changed if there was no Mac. I wished Akinjo stayed as well. I knew that Mackinjo thing would not last. Akinjo in my opinion felt he’s being paired with a player that’s ranked lower than him. SAY WORD!!!!!...you called it how I see it!!
|
|
Omega
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 565
|
Post by Omega on May 17, 2020 16:56:29 GMT -5
So Mac decides to test the NBA waters. He has a couple of workouts. At some point Coach says he is coming back. Do any of us think that a team who wanted to draft Mac would not have reached out to his agent and say hey, no need for your boy to go back his chances of getting drafted are good or at a minimum he is gonna get an invite to camp.
That's why I'm confused. Because it doesn't matter what the coach says if Mac was NBA ready coach could say what you want. His agent would know and Mac wouldn't be coming back.
|
|
|
Post by FrazierFanatic on May 17, 2020 17:35:58 GMT -5
A Hoya.
Now he is Dead To Me.
|
|
|
Post by cgallstar02 on May 17, 2020 17:41:36 GMT -5
This is where we differ. Regardless of what position they played they showed the ability to score, facilitate, and make the players around them better. They're multidimensional players that you can run an offense through and trust they will make the right decision. That includes the ability to score, or set up a teammate. Recognizing mismatches and exploiting them. Knowing the difference between a bad shot, good shot, and great shot. Being patient enough to allow the offense to work before going at it alone. Knowing when to back it up and restart the offense if necessary. It didn't matter what position they played. They're approach to the game is that of a pg. They see the game and act like a coach on the floor. Scouts see that and know it translates. Mac can play whatever position he wants, but until his mental approach changes and becomes more like those players he won't be regarded as much of a pg prospect. Playing pg and being one are completely different things. If his mental approach was similar to those players it wouldn't matter what position he played. On a side note you mentioned Westbrook's approach never being like a true point and scouts overlooking that. I think it's important to mention the numbers tell a different story. Russ led UCLA in assists at nearly 5 a game from the 2 spot, and only averaged 14ppg as a Soph before jumping to the NBA. Those are stats of a lead guard prospect. Again, you completely ignored my point about Mac's lack of experience coming to Georgetown. Is he supposed to just naturally know how to do these things? Mac didn't have to play basketball "the right way" at Gate City because he was so much better and more athletic than everyone else he could simply do whatever he wanted. He had one summer as a bench player on an AAU team as his only experience of playing with or against other good players. Most of these kids that already have these skills have been in basketball camps and AAU since 7th grade or earlier. All of them played at better high schools and divisions than Mac played in. Look at guys like Nico and Cole. Both of their dads were pro players, Cole's dad was an NBA point guard. They have been learning the game since they were old enough to walk. Probably been to all the best camps their entire life. Played for national powerhouses that were playing a different top 25 team every other game. Played along side multiple other D1 athletes. Had actual real coaches coaching them. Mac has had to rely solely on his athleticism and natural ability. You act like Mac should just be able to flip a switch and know how to do the same things these other kids have been taught their whole lives. Mac is not going to learn to be a facilitator as a shooting guard that's expected to be his teams top scoring threat. It's just not going to happen. Again, Powell and Howard had that role and even as seniors were unable to do what you suggest. Do you think they didn't know NBA teams were saying the same things about them as they were about Mac? SG in a PG's body. Why then didn't they change their game the way you suggest Mac do? Well, maybe because it's not as easy as you seem to think. Or maybe because their team's need them to focus more on scoring than facilitating. Being a facilitator while also being a scorer from the SG position is not nearly as easy as it is from the PG position. If you put Mac at PG, two things will have to happen. First, this forces him to change his mindset. He can still be an aggressive scorer, but he also has to look to be a facilitator. He will have to pick and choose his spots of when to be a scorer. The good thing is he will have the ball in his hands almost every possession so he no longer has to force things like he often did with James because he knew he might go 5 or 6 straight possessions without a touch. He will know he can get his shots when he wants them instead of them being dictated by his teammate. Second, this will require the coaching staff to teach him to be a PG. Since Mac didn't play PG for Georgetown, I doubt the coaching staff was spending much time in practice working with him on being a PG. They were focused on Mac the SG. Mac has not yet been properly coached as a PG in his career. That is something he needs if he's ever gonna be able to learn the skills you suggest he lacks. I am not suggesting that Mac will be a great point guard. Perhaps he fails miserably. Maybe he plays a few games there to start the season and is so bad his team moves him back to SG. Maybe he's so bad in practice he never even gets to start a game there. But to suggest that he should just be able to have the same skills and mindset as a player as other kids who have been taught and playing the position most of their lives is crazy. The first step for him to learn those skills is to attempt to actually play the position and to be properly coached at that position. Until that happens he will just be Mac McClung the athlete instead of Mac McClung the basketball player. At the end of the day he took the feedback the NBA gave him and decided to do something about it. As a result people bash him for trying to learn the skills that people bash him for not having. Makes sense.
|
|
rockhoya
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,830
|
Post by rockhoya on May 17, 2020 17:52:25 GMT -5
This is where we differ. Regardless of what position they played they showed the ability to score, facilitate, and make the players around them better. They're multidimensional players that you can run an offense through and trust they will make the right decision. That includes the ability to score, or set up a teammate. Recognizing mismatches and exploiting them. Knowing the difference between a bad shot, good shot, and great shot. Being patient enough to allow the offense to work before going at it alone. Knowing when to back it up and restart the offense if necessary. It didn't matter what position they played. They're approach to the game is that of a pg. They see the game and act like a coach on the floor. Scouts see that and know it translates. Mac can play whatever position he wants, but until his mental approach changes and becomes more like those players he won't be regarded as much of a pg prospect. Playing pg and being one are completely different things. If his mental approach was similar to those players it wouldn't matter what position he played. On a side note you mentioned Westbrook's approach never being like a true point and scouts overlooking that. I think it's important to mention the numbers tell a different story. Russ led UCLA in assists at nearly 5 a game from the 2 spot, and only averaged 14ppg as a Soph before jumping to the NBA. Those are stats of a lead guard prospect. Again, you completely ignored my point about Mac's lack of experience coming to Georgetown. Is he supposed to just naturally know how to do these things? Mac didn't have to play basketball "the right way" at Gate City because he was so much better and more athletic than everyone else he could simply do whatever he wanted. He had one summer as a bench player on an AAU team as his only experience of playing with or against other good players. Most of these kids that already have these skills have been in basketball camps and AAU since 7th grade or earlier. All of them played at better high schools and divisions than Mac played in. Look at guys like Nico and Cole. Both of their dads were pro players, Cole's dad was an NBA point guard. They have been learning the game since they were old enough to walk. Probably been to all the best camps their entire life. Played for national powerhouses that were playing a different top 25 team every other game. Played along side multiple other D1 athletes. Had actual real coaches coaching them. Mac has had to rely solely on his athleticism and natural ability. You act like Mac should just be able to flip a switch and know how to do the same things these other kids have been taught their whole lives. Mac is not going to learn to be a facilitator as a shooting guard that's expected to be his teams top scoring threat. It's just not going to happen. Again, Powell and Howard had that role and even as seniors were unable to do what you suggest. Do you think they didn't know NBA teams were saying the same things about them as they were about Mac? SG in a PG's body. Why then didn't they change their game the way you suggest Mac do? Well, maybe because it's not as easy as you seem to think. Or maybe because their team's need them to focus more on scoring than facilitating. Being a facilitator while also being a scorer from the SG position is not nearly as easy as it is from the PG position. If you put Mac at PG, two things will have to happen. First, this forces him to change his mindset. He can still be an aggressive scorer, but he also has to look to be a facilitator. He will have to pick and choose his spots of when to be a scorer. The good thing is he will have the ball in his hands almost every possession so he no longer has to force things like he often did with James because he knew he might go 5 or 6 straight possessions without a touch. He will know he can get his shots when he wants them instead of them being dictated by his teammate. Second, this will require the coaching staff to teach him to be a PG. Since Mac didn't play PG for Georgetown, I doubt the coaching staff was spending much time in practice working with him on being a PG. They were focused on Mac the SG. Mac has not yet been properly coached as a PG in his career. That is something he needs if he's ever gonna be able to learn the skills you suggest he lacks. I am not suggesting that Mac will be a great point guard. Perhaps he fails miserably. Maybe he plays a few games there to start the season and is so bad his team moves him back to SG. Maybe he's so bad in practice he never even gets to start a game there. But to suggest that he should just be able to have the same skills and mindset as a player as other kids who have been taught and playing the position most of their lives is crazy. The first step for him to learn those skills is to attempt to actually play the position and to be properly coached at that position. Until that happens he will just be Mac McClung the athlete instead of Mac McClung the basketball player. At the end of the day he took the feedback the NBA gave him and decided to do something about it. As a result people bash him for trying to learn the skills that people bash him for not having. Makes sense. I get what you’re trying to say but in a sense what you did in high school doesn’t really matter once you get to college. The slate is wiped clean again. Unless you’re a transcendent talent or one of the top 2-5 players in high school nobody past high school cares what you did in high school. And yes, some players are born with natural instincts and use them their advantage in sports. Mac May have a natural instinct to be a facilitator, but it is not at the top of the list nor even near the top in my opinion. But that’s not a knock cause he is a very special scorer. Not the most efficient but like you say those are some of the things he can learn. And either way all these players have to watch film to understand what a PG looks like at each increasing level.....not sure Mac has been a film rat up until this point.
|
|
AltoSaxa
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,125
|
Post by AltoSaxa on May 17, 2020 18:29:03 GMT -5
... a symptom of a larger disease.
|
|