Draft Prospect: Jack McClinton

[Bruno]

http://kylelibra.com/sportsblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/mcclinton2jpg.jpeg
Height: 6-1
Weight: 185 lbs
Birthday: 01/19/1985
College: Miami

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Jack-McClinton-5304/)
nbadraft (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/jack-mcclinton)

[Bruno]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_college_hurricanes/2009/06/mcclinton-continues-to-impress-nba-scouts-.html

McClinton continues to impress NBA scouts

Posted by Shandel Richardson on June 4, 2009 03:53 PM

CORAL GABLES _ On Thursday, former UM guard Jack McClinton was in a familiar place.

He was heading to shoot jumpers on campus. This scene has been a constant the last four years. The reward is expected to come when McClinton hears his name called during the NBA Draft June 25. After Jack McClinton having some doubters, McClinton has been impressive while working out for several NBA teams.

"Things are going really well," McClinton said. "You only get one chance to go in there and show these people what you got. You have to make the best of it."

So far, McClinton has visited Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago. He lists Houston as his only sub-par workout, but likely made up for that with a strong showing at last month's Pre-Draft Camp in Chicago. McClinton performed well enough to earn workouts with two more teams, Cleveland and Phoenix.

McClinton said it doesn't matter where he lands as long as he hears his name called while watching the Draft with family.

"I'm hearing a lot of late-first (round) or early-second," McClinton said. "And early-second to mid-second. Basically, it's anywhere from No. 22 to 60. If I'm not taken in the first round, I wouldn't say it would be disappointing. I've worked so hard. Even if you're in the second round, you can still work and get a spot. I love to work. I'll do what I got to do to get there."

The biggest question is what position McClinton will play. At 6-2, he played mostly shooting guard for the Hurricanes. He will likely shift to the point in the NBA. Ball-handling and play-making ability are both concerns, but McClinton refuses to worry.

"I get this question a lot," McClinton said. "I look at myself as a guard. If you think about the NBA, there's only about six or seven great point guards. You got Chris Paul, Steve Nash, Darren Williams, Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups. But all the rest are guys who just don't get rattled bringing the ball up the court. They get the team in the offense and they cut through and knock down the open shot if possible. There's not too many guys who are out there creating."

[Blackjack]

Jack McClinton: "I can do so much more than just shoot the basketball"

by: Joey Whelan
June 8, 2009

There’s a reason Jack McClinton never flashed a smile after draining 3-pointer after 3-pointer during his time at the University of Miami; he was never satisfied. The two-time first team All-ACC performer has been counted out his entire career dating back to his days at Calvert Hall High School in Baltimore. McClinton wasn’t recruited by any of the local major colleges, so he decided to take the prep school route and spent a year at South Kent in Connecticut. There, the sharpshooter did enough to earn a scholarship to attend Siena, where he immediately established himself as one of the top players on the team. His time with the Saints was short lived, though, as head coach Rob Lanier, the man who recruited McClinton, was fired.

The coaching change left McClinton wanting out at Siena, and he ultimately decided to transfer to the University of Miami. He spent the next three seasons lighting up some of the top teams in the country in the ACC, emerging as one of the conferences brightest stars. Still, despite all of his accolades at the collegiate level, McClinton is still an unknown talent to many NBA fans, but has been hard at work doing his best to impress scouts and GMs. He turned in a good showing at the NBA combine in Chicago a couple of weeks ago and has been getting solid feedback from the teams that he has worked out for.

McClinton took some time out recently in between scheduled workouts with various teams to talk about his career at Miami, what position he sees himself playing at the next level, and whether or not he can break out of the one-dimensional label as a shooter.




DraftExpress: After the season ended at Miami, where were you training in preparation for individual workouts?

Jack McClinton: First I went to Washington D.C. for a while to train. From there I had six or seven workouts and now I’m back down in Miami actually for some more training. I’ll be on the road a lot more now, so there isn’t as much training going on as there is the individual stuff.

DX: What did you focus on in your training? Where were you looking to make improvements?

JM: I’m really working on everything; I don’t think you can be too good at any one thing. You know you have a deck of cards and of course my ace is my shooting, say my ball handling was a nine and so on. So I’ve got that ace, but you want to improve the other stuff, you can always get better with your ball handling, that‘s something that can really help me get to where I want to be. So I’ve been doing two ball drills, lots of stuff with cones and whatnot. The guy I’ve got in DC is a great workout guy.

DX: What teams have you worked out for so far?

JM: I’ve worked out for Oklahoma City, Houston, San Antonio, Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago. Then of course I was also at the pre-draft camp in Chicago.

DX: How do you think the workouts have gone so far?

JM: They’ve gone real well; I really think I get to show off my game in the individual workouts. People think I’m just a spot up shooter, but I can create my own shot and do stuff like that in these workouts.

DX: What have teams been asking you during the interview sessions you’ve done with them?

JM: A lot of teams have been asking if I can play the point guard position. I’ve been playing that position almost my entire life. I was a point in prep school, I played it at Siena, I played it a little bit at Miami, but most of the time there the team needed for me to be a scorer so I was.

DX: Do you think you can make the transition to being a point guard in the NBA or do you see yourself exclusively as a shooting guard?

JM: I would label myself as a guard, not a point guard or a shooting guard, just a guard. If you look at the NBA there are six or seven great point guards like the Chris Pauls and Deron Williams, you have a lot of great ones. There are also a lot of guys who can manage an offense without getting rattled; I think I can be one of those guys.


DX: You were an outstanding shooter in college. This season you connected on 45 percent of your perimeter shots while taking seven three-pointers per game. Do you think if you had been on a team with a top point guard and a good big man you could have made an even higher percentage of your threes?

JM: You know you can look at it in two ways. I was in a position where I wasn’t always able to get my shot where I wanted. But we had a great point guard and a great big; I’m just thinking that maybe my shots would have come a little bit easier. I wouldn’t change anything for the world though.

DX: You were relied on very heavily to carry the offense at Miami. Do you view that as a positive or a negative in this process?

JM: I definitely look at is as a positive. Being at Miami, sometimes I had to go out there and really try to get my shot and work that much harder. At the next level I’m going to surrounded by great players, so maybe rather than having to take a step back, I can shoot a regular jump shot. Maybe if I wound up with a dominant big man, like a Tim Duncan who can really control the paint, I could come down and spot up for open shots. I mean there are a lot of different circumstances.

DX: One thing you excelled at in college was creating your own shot. Can you continue to do that in the NBA?

JM: I can definitely continue to do that. I have a lot of ball handling skills and that’s one thing I’ve really worked on and have had to work on while at Miami, just to get my shot off. My main move has always been my step back because I can create a lot of space, but I’ve also been working on a lot of counter moves off of that.

DX: The last truly great shooter to come out of the ACC was J.J. Redick a couple of years ago. The knock on him has been that he is too much of a one dimensional player, is that a concern for you?

JM: No, not at all, that’s one thing I don’t want to be labeled as. I can do so much more than just shoot the basketball.

DX: At the combine in Chicago you tested out well and were one of the fastest players in attendance. Do you think numbers like that are going to help your stock?

JM: You know I really don’t know how much teams look at that stuff. I think it could only help me, but at the end of the day I think it comes down to what you can do on the court. I think those numbers, people will look at those and think, OK maybe he’s more athletic than we thought, but I don’t know if that’s going to increase my stock.

DX: One thing that scouts clearly will look at is size. You measured out just under 6-1 in shoes, is that a concern for you?

JM: No, really it isn’t a concern for me because a lot of times players are told you’re not tall enough to be here. I’ve been going through that my whole life. When I was transferring to Miami I had people telling me not to because they said I wouldn’t play. I just used stuff like that as motivation; it kept me working harder in the gym to prove all of those people wrong. I’m not going to stop doing that; I’m always going to have that chip on my shoulder to keep getting better.

DX: You had an outstanding college career and were one of the top players in the ACC for the last two seasons. Has it been a surprise given how well you did at Miami that your stock isn’t higher?

JM: You know you look at it, yes I had a great college career and was able to do some things. But at the same time, I don’t know who puts together these draft boards, I don’t know what GMs think, but I have been hearing a lot of good feedback. At the same time though you can’t use that as an excuse to let up, you have to always keep working. You have to keep getting better because you can never stop getting better.

DX: You said you consider yourself as a guard rather than a point or a shooting guard. Can you defend both of those positions in the NBA?

JM: I could; if I had to cover a 6-5 shooting guard I would have to work my butt off not to let them get the basketball and things like that. At the same time though, I think it all really depends on what system you’re in. If I was on the floor with a bigger point guard like a Deron Williams, he might be able to cover the two-guard and I would cover the point. If you look at Chris Paul and Jannero Pargo they play together and it works, so it all depends on what system you’re in.

DX: One name that comes up a lot when trying to compare your game to guys in the NBA is Eddie House. What do you think of that comparison?

JM: I mean it means a lot just to be compared to anyone in the NBA. He’s been around for a number of years and done well. I think it’s a good comparison, we’re both great shooters. The one thing is that you don’t see Eddie House do a lot off the bounce, I’m not saying he can’t, but if I have the opportunity to play in the NBA I know if I have a guy closing out on me I can make a move to get a better look or find someone else for a shot.

DX: What do you see your role as in the NBA early in your career and then maybe a few years down the road?

JM: Well definitely I see myself as being the kind of guy who can come into the game and knock down an open shot depending on the situation the team is in. Down the road, if I really keep working hard at my game, I see myself as a Mo Williams or a player like that.

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Jack-McClinton-I-can-do-so-much-more-than-just-shoot-the-basketball-3252/

[Blackjack]

The Spurs' attempt to find an Eddie House-type player in Salim last year, just might bode well for McClinton.

The fact that he mentioned Duncan specifically, makes me wonder if the type of feedback he got from the Spurs, lead him to having Duncan on the brain.

[Blackjack]

http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Reebok-Eurocamp-Day-Two-3251


-Mike D’Antoni’s New York Knicks apparently taking a strong liking to senior Jack McClinton, to the point that they could try to buy a pick in the late first round to ensure they land his services.

[cheney212]

honestly thought we could of had a better pick but its okay

[T_MONEY_TX]

mills, de colo ??????????

[Marcus Bryant]

pick #51

[Sigz]

he ghetto

[kromediablo]

another eddie house or ben gordon type...not too bad, the spurs are in need of some scorers off the bench!

[Spurtacus]

Similarities: Salim Stoudemire

# Big time 3-point shooter
# Deep range on his jumper
# Good midrange game
# Good motor

Negatives:

# Undersized for his position
# A little one-dimensional
# Doesn't attack the basket
# Not athletic enough to finish at the rim

Summary: June 2 Update: In the lane-agility test, McClinton had the best score, finishing the drill in 10.44 seconds. See the full combine story

June 1 Update: Finally, Miami's Jack McClinton wants a do-over in the measurements. He measured under 6 feet in socks and just a little under 6-1 in shoes, which were essentially the same measurements as Syracuse's Jonny Flynn. However, McClinton insisted to me that he's an inch taller than Flynn. I think he's right. He went up to Flynn, they stood back-to-back and McClinton definitely looked taller. Either McClinton hunched in the measurement or Flynn stood on his tippy-toes. See the full Chad Ford notebook

Jan 2 Update: McClinton is having a terrific season, improving on his numbers across the board. But his lack of size, elite athleticism or off the dribble game pigeon hole him as an undersized shooter. Think Salim Stoudemire.

[Ghost Writer]

16 tattoos.

[cheney212]

i mean its not a bad pick he just needs to improve ball handling i think

[MoSpur]

Can you say Austin Torros?

[MoSpur]

BTW, I like this pick.

[Pucho!!!]

I would have preferred AJ Price, he had that sick juke move/crossover I've seen on Jerel McNeal, or Patty Mills but this aint bad. He fits a need a good shooting, backup pg.

[timvp]

Good pick. The Spurs might need a shooter if they lose Mason and/or Finley.

This kid can shoot.

[MI21]

16 tattoos.

:lol

Finally, hey...

[Spurtacus]

Chad Ford "analysis"


Another value pick for the Spurs. He's an Eddie House clone. He can shoot the lights out and plays with a lot of energy.

[GSH]

The combine measured him at 6'0". I didn't think there was much room in the NBA for a 6'0" guy who can't run the point. They talk about 6'3" guys being too short to play the 2 in the NBA. I know some people say he's a good, quick defender (some say he's not?), but that puts two little guys on the floor.

Maybe he's in when Manu is running the point? I don't know... that's really a specialist. I know he can shoot, but he has to be able to get the shot off. They say he can shoot with a hand in his face - he better get used to it. I wonder if he can shoot with a defender's hand on the ball?

I guess he can be there to take open 3's like Boobie Gibson. It would be nice to have someone who can make the other team pay. I just wonder how much we give up on the defensive end?

[jermaine]

I love this dude already. Sign his ass tonight! That boy shoot like he a cop shooting at copkiller!

[Ditty]

projected first round pick might of wanted mills but we might need shooters

back up to hill

[Cant_Be_Faded]

Should have considered cash instead. Would have helped buffer any lux tax payments.

[SPURSGOAT]

honestly thought we could of had a better pick but its okay

are you nutz!? for 51 this is a great pick!

[tomtom]

salim was undersized too. anyways he can't be worse than vaughn was for a third string point

[Ditty]

Should have considered cash instead. Would have helped buffer any lux tax payments.

okay holt :lol

Im pretty sure holt knows that he knows he wont win with this team anymore

[timvp]

http://twitter.com/JackMcClinton/status/2338924503

[jcrod]

Just noticed his age, he is already 24.

[kbrury]

his shooting is already refined so its not like his age will harm him on that.

[kbrury]

In five games vs. No.1 ranked opponents he averaged 29.8 points and 5.2 three-pointers per game.

[Blackjack]

night twitter world, its a blessing and the journey is not over it just begun... Go SPURS!

http://twitter.com/JackMcClinton/status/2338924503

[GSH]

salim was undersized too. anyways he can't be worse than vaughn was for a third string point


He's not a PG, he's a pure 2. Most of the other 2 guards in the draft are 6'4" - 6'5", and the few who aren't are slashers. I guess my biggest concern is that Pop is known for plugging everyone into the system, rather modifying the system to match personnel. Within the Spurs' system, when/where does a guy like this get the opportunity to create his own shot? And if he really is a consistent threat from the 3, the other teams are just going to let him sit out there uncontested.

He's got adequate speed, but he's no Leandhro Barbosa. And at 6'0" it's not like he's going to rise up over anybody to get his shot off. So the further he gets inside the 3 point circle, the more he's going to have someone much taller contesting his shot. And guys in the NBA are just so much quicker to close out.

I hate to be negative, and I really love the fact that he can put the ball through the rim. The Spurs need that. I'm just having a hard time picturing him getting the opportunity to do what he does in the NBA, and especially playing for Pop. I could see this guy making other teams crazy, playing for Don Nelson. Sometimes we see Pop play with some oddball lineups, but I don't usually expect to see any of them come playoff time.

[scottspurs]

From the "U" straight going to do work with George Hill!!!!

[Ditty]

http://twitter.com/JackMcClinton/status/2338924503

i hope this guy somehow makes the roster even if hes in austin or on the IR

[timvp]

Professional basketball: Calvert Hall grad to Spurs
McClinton's 'crazy' day ends happily

By Tom Worgo
[email protected]

The San Antonio Spurs selected Calvert Hall graduate and Perry Hall resident Jack McClinton in the second round and 51st overall of Thursday's NBA draft, which still doesn't guarantee the University of Miami star a spot on the Spurs’ roster.

If he does earn his way onto the team, McClinton would be come the third Cardinal to play in the NBA.

Duane Ferrell, a linchpin of Calvert Hall's 1982 national championship squad, was not drafted before joining the Atlanta Hawks in 1988 as a free agent out of Georgia Tech. The 6-foot-7 small forward played 11 years in the league with the Hawks, Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors.

Juan Dixon, a 6-foot-3 shooting guard, just completed his seventh NBA campaign with the Washington Wizards, the same team that drafted him 17th after he led the University of Maryland to the 2002 NCAA title. He has also played for the Portland Trailblazers, Toronto Raptors and Detroit Pistons.

McClinton will begin his prospective NBA career with far less fanfare than his Cardinal predecessors, considering Ferrell was drafted in the same city in which he attended college.

Knowing that second-round selections don't receive guaranteed contracts, McClinton will have to earn a roster spot away from a veteran, which won't be an easy task on a team as talented and successful as the Spurs.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound combo guard, however, has faced long odds before. He wasn't highly recruited out of Calvert Hall and his first year at Siena College wasn't spectacular, either, after a year of prep school at Kent School in Connecticut.

McClinton didn't hit his stride until he transferred to the play for the Hurricanes as sophomore.

He earned First-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors the past two seasons and averaged 19.3 points as a senior while leading the league in three-point accuracy (.453).

"I have always been the underdog," McClinton said in a phone interview. "So it's really nothing new to me. I am just ready to go out there and work."

The 24-year-old McClinton said the Spurs are the ideal team to draft him. He worked out for 16 NBA teams in a month –- starting in late May -- and San Antonio was the only club to put him through the paces twice.

San Antonio also drafted Pittsburgh’s DeJuan Blair in the second round (37th overall).

“They just made a trade,” McClinton said of the four-player blockbuster deal with Milwaukee in which 6-foot-7 small forward Richard Jefferson was sent to the Spurs. “Two (roster) spots opened up. I can bring a lot to the table for that organization. I am someone who can put the ball in the basket and play hard on defense.”

McClinton said he looks forward to working with All-Star guard Tony Parker in training camp during October after participating in the NBA Rookie Summer League in July.

“He’s one of the best point guards in the world,” McClinton said. “Being able to interact with him will be great. Whatever he is willing to tell me, I am going to try and work on it, get better and just try to make that organization better.”

For now, McClinton isn't worrying about the future. He is just thrilled that he was drafted.

“When my name got called, I jumped up and ran out of the house,” McClinton said. “I did a couple of sprints up and down the block. I had so much energy. I had to get rid of it.”

McClinton had to wait about 3 1/2 hours before being tabbed by the Spurs after expecting to be taken late in the first round.

“I had heard that I was going (29th) to New York,” McClinton said. “Then (37th) to San Antonio. It was crazy.”





-------

Sounds like he was probably the Spurs' realistic target at 37. Not bad for 51 :smokin

[ShoogarBear]

How did a brotha get a name like Jack McClinton, though?

[exstatic]

He's not a PG, he's a pure 2. Most of the other 2 guards in the draft are 6'4" - 6'5", and the few who aren't are slashers. I guess my biggest concern is that Pop is known for plugging everyone into the system, rather modifying the system to match personnel. Within the Spurs' system, when/where does a guy like this get the opportunity to create his own shot? And if he really is a consistent threat from the 3, the other teams are just going to let him sit out there uncontested.

He's got adequate speed, but he's no Leandhro Barbosa. And at 6'0" it's not like he's going to rise up over anybody to get his shot off. So the further he gets inside the 3 point circle, the more he's going to have someone much taller contesting his shot. And guys in the NBA are just so much quicker to close out.

I hate to be negative, and I really love the fact that he can put the ball through the rim. The Spurs need that. I'm just having a hard time picturing him getting the opportunity to do what he does in the NBA, and especially playing for Pop. I could see this guy making other teams crazy, playing for Don Nelson. Sometimes we see Pop play with some oddball lineups, but I don't usually expect to see any of them come playoff time.

He was ranked #1 of a sample of 8 of the top shooting/combo guards in shooting "off the dribble" and shooting in "one on one" situations. Don't think of him as just a catch and shoot guy, although he's one of the best in the draft in that category. If they run at him, he'll just take a dribble or two to escape, and put up a shot. That won't be a new skill he'll need to develop. It's in his toolbox already.

Check out bullet point 2 from this pre-draft article:

Luke Winn article (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/luke_winn/06/24/nba.draftnumbers/index.html)

[ace3g]

Jack McClinton has spur-of-the-moment celebration

http://media.miamiherald.com/smedia/2009/02/16/00/833-um3.embedded.prod_affiliate.56.JPG

Though disappointed that he lasted until the 51st pick, former UM star Jack McClinton can't wait to start playing for San Antonio.

BY DAVID QUINONES
[email protected]

At about 11:30 p.m. Thursday, a quiet Baltimore evening was interrupted by a screaming Hurricane.

Despite a 20.1-point-per-game season, two All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team selections and solid showings in workouts for NBA teams, Jack McClinton lasted until the 51st pick, where he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs in Thursday night's NBA Draft.

But when that moment finally came, McClinton showed his relief by running up and down his block.

''When it happened, I was just so excited and ready to get to work,'' the former University of Miami standout said.

McClinton (6-1, 185) watched the draft from his family's home in Baltimore, but the distance from Madison Square Garden did little to calm his nerves.

Last week, McClinton attended a workout for the Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena. He was hopeful that Miami -- which held the 43rd and 60th picks -- would select him, but McClinton said he is pleased to go to a team that has won four of the past 11 NBA championships.

''I think being able to play with a great, dominant post man such as Tim Duncan will help me expand my game and I'll be able to knock down some open shots,'' said McClinton, who said the Spurs worked him out twice.

If he makes the team, McClinton will share backcourt time with standouts Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. His second-round status does not guarantee a contract.

This past season, McClinton averaged 20.1 points and 3 assists for the Hurricanes (19-13, 7-9 ACC). In an 11-day stretch near the end of the season, he combined for 101 points against Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina. McClinton finished his UM career as the best three-point shooter in ACC history, making 44.6 percent of his attempts.

Although he fell to the second round, McClinton has cut his teeth against some of the best competition in the nation. During his mid-February tear, McClinton torched eventual national champion North Carolina and Ty Lawson -- the No. 18 pick on Thursday -- for 35 points. On Feb. 17, 2008, McClinton outdueled Georgia Tech guard Anthony Morrow in a 64-63 UM win. As a rookie last year, Morrow averaged 10.1 points for Golden State Warriors.

McClinton, who became the 17th Hurricane to be drafted by an NBA team, said he plans to join the Spurs' summer-league team in July.

http://www.miamiherald.com/588/story/1115765.html

[Blackjack]

Sounds like he was probably the Spurs' realistic target at 37. Not bad for 51 :smokin


Jack McClinton: "Maybe if I wound up with a dominant big man, like a Tim Duncan who can really control the paint, I could come down and spot up for open shots."

That's what he had to say in the June 8th article from DX after having already worked out with the Spurs at least once, and that's why I started to believe the Spurs had him high on their list.

I honestly believe R.C. figured they'd have a shot at Jack or Nando at 37 and that Blair was the pipedream come true.

Just an unbelieveable draft from a value standpoint, but also in terms of landing their targeted prospects.

[tomtom]

Nice analysis's. Well he is a second rounder after all, seems like good talent for a very late one at that. I guess perhaps he might be able to model after Mason's role.

[Whisky Dog]

If he's an inch taller than Flynn then all he needs is to work out the handles and getting the team into the offense quickly and correctly at the NBA level. It's a big task, but I'd rather him have to learn how to play point in the NBA than have to learn how to shoot. As a replacement for Vaughn he's an ideal candidate for the money. He can shoot and seems willing to defend, and he won't be asked to carry the team, just allow Parker or Hill to rest while knocking down the looks he gets.

[wildbill2u]

How did a brotha get a name like Jack McClinton, though?

The "Mc" rather than the "Mac" is the tipoff. "Mac" is Scottish. "Mc" is Scots-Irish.

Haven't you ever heard of the Black Irish? :lmao

[Kori Ellis]

If he's an inch taller than Flynn then all he needs is to work out the handles and getting the team into the offense quickly and correctly at the NBA level. It's a big task, but I'd rather him have to learn how to play point in the NBA than have to learn how to shoot. As a replacement for Vaughn he's an ideal candidate for the money. He can shoot and seems willing to defend, and he won't be asked to carry the team, just allow Parker or Hill to rest while knocking down the looks he gets.

The Spurs said they have no intention of trying to convert him to a point guard. He's just going to be short shooting guard.

[Darkwaters]

The Spurs said they have no intention of trying to convert him to a point guard. He's just going to be short shooting guard.

I wonder if the Spurs intend to sign a 3rd PG like Vaughn then or if Mason will assume PG duties in the case of an injury like last year.

[Dex]

If the Spurs intend to play McClinton at SG, then who is going to be the third-string point guard?

What if either Parker or Hill go down? Are we stuck going back to JV? Manu at point? Mason at point (ugh)? Or do you think there will be another point guard signing before the end of the offseason?

I do not want another season of cringing when Vaughn hits the floor.

[gcamap21]

I (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUih97fU8Bs&feature=emailI)mean if he doesn't make the team and have a roster spot id be disappointed.He's awesome from beyond the arc he could help spread the floor and free up Duncan to tear up the paint,Tony to have another 3 point threat to dish out to and allow Manu to freely drive in the paint. If he can translate his perfect shooting to the league and to the Spurs other teams will take notice. I know he will be a rookie but I like his game and the 3pt shooting he will bring to the spurs.

Below is a link to a insane 35 point game he had:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUih97fU8Bs

[TimDunkem]

Williams?

[Muser]

Hopefully it can translate to the NBA.

[TimDunkem]

There's room for him on the team. Especially for a guy who can shoot better off the dribble in college than James Harden. I like his driving ability as well. He's a quick decision maker. It'll be icing on the cake if he can defend as well as Buford says he can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lrps1-OvLo&feature=related

[Tully365]

Yet another example of how early assessments of a player start to spread and are taken as objective truth. Some pre-draft scouting reports labeled him a great shooter, but not very athletic. Then, at the combine he registered the single fastest lane agility time of the entire draft class, he beat Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, and Jrue Holiday in the sprint, he lifted the bar more times than Jordan Hill in the bench press, and his vertical leap measured at 36.5". So much for conventional wisdom..... the guy's an amazing athlete.

[exstatic]

Yet another example of how early assessments of a player start to spread and are taken as objective truth. Some pre-draft scouting reports labeled him a great shooter, but not very athletic. Then, at the combine he registered the single fastest lane agility time of the entire draft class, he beat Jonny Flynn, Stephen Curry, and Jrue Holiday in the sprint, he lifted the bar more times than Jordan Hill in the bench press, and his vertical leap measured at 36.5". So much for conventional wisdom..... the guy's an amazing athlete.

I think the one that made my jaw drop was the 30" no step vert. Daaaaaamn.

I think he'll be able to get his shot off in the NBA. :lol

[exstatic]

Williams?

That. Austin had such poor PG play last year that they started letting Marcus run the offense. At the end of the year, the Spurs cut Hairston, paying off the rest of his guaranteed for the remainder of the year contract in order to sign Marcus and keep him away from other teams. They must have liked what they saw.

[Bruno]

If the Spurs intend to play McClinton at SG, then who is going to be the third-string point guard?

What if either Parker or Hill go down? Are we stuck going back to JV? Manu at point? Mason at point (ugh)? Or do you think there will be another point guard signing before the end of the offseason?

I do not want another season of cringing when Vaughn hits the floor.

With Spurs being over the tax, signing a third string PG for the min will cost $1.65M. That's quite a lot of money.

In the case of an injury, Spurs can go with Manu and Mason playing PG. If McClinton stick with the team, he can also plays PG on the defensive end with Manu or Mason playing PG on the offensive end. There is also the solution to sign a PG for the time of the injury.

Spuys could decide not to sign a 3rd string PG for financial reasons but it won't be a big deal.

[gcamap21]

33 suits him well for all the 3's he drains. I wonder if he will wear it as a spur.

[gcamap21]

Hopefully he sticks.

[duncan228]

Ex-Calvert Hall standout McClinton happy to be a Spur (http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bal-mcclinton0627,0,4709291.story)
By Shandel Richardson
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jack McClinton had no idea why he was receiving congratulatory text messages.

He was watching the NBA Draft Thursday with family in Baltimore when the alerts began filling his phone.

"I didn't know what was going on," McClinton said. "I guess we were watching (the Draft) on a delay."

After a longer than expected wait, the good news finally hit. McClinton, a former Calvert Hall and Miami Hurricanes guard, was taken by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round. He was the 51st overall pick.

"It was crazy," McClinton said of the wait. "I just heard so many things, hearing the Knicks are going to take you at No. 29. But you don't know anything until it happens."

The New York Knicks were rumored to have interest and those picked up steam when they acquired the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round pick. Those hopes were dashed when the Knicks selected Florida State guard Toney Douglas.

It pushed McClinton to the second round, where he isn't guaranteed anything. He will have to earn a contract by having an impressive showing with the Spurs' summer league team.

A little extra work is nothing new for McClinton. He was lightly recruited out of high school before landing at Siena. After one season, he transferred to Miami and became an elite player in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He earned first-team all-conference honors the past two seasons and was considered one of the nation’s top 3-pointers shooters.

"I'm ready," McClinton said. "It's time to get going . . . In the second round, it doesn't matter where you get picked. It's all the same, it's still the second round."

The 6-foot-2 McClinton is the first Hurricanes player drafted since Guillermo Diaz in 2006. Before the Draft, he said finding the perfect situation was the key to becoming a success in the NBA. He feels he's been presented with that opportunity.

The Spurs are a veteran team, led by power forward Tim Duncan. Although some questioned McClinton's point-guard skills, he will get the chance to learn from one of the game's best in Tony Parker.

"It was the best fit for me in just about every way," McClinton said. "They just made a good trade to get Richard Jefferson, Tim Duncan is dominant in the post and I'll be learning from Tony Parker. I think it's a good opportunity.

[GSH]

It's easy to like a guy who can put the ball through the ring. I think about all those extended scoring droughts the Spurs have had in the last few seasons. Especially those times when they could get any shot they wanted, but no one was knocking them down. Sometimes you think that if someone, anyone, could just make a bucket or two, it would get everyone back on track. If he could be that guy, he would be worth a contract and a roster spot.

[rascal]

Looks like a shooting guard in a nba's point guard body. He does not seem to have NBA quality pg skills. He has a quick release which will help him with his size disadvantage. He is a deadly shooter, ball goes down the net quickly barely touching net, tremendous shooter.

[rascal]

With Spurs being over the tax, signing a third string PG for the min will cost $1.65M. That's quite a lot of money.

In the case of an injury, Spurs can go with Manu and Mason playing PG. If McClinton stick with the team, he can also plays PG on the defensive end with Manu or Mason playing PG on the offensive end. There is also the solution to sign a PG for the time of the injury.

Spuys could decide not to sign a 3rd string PG for financial reasons but it won't be a big deal.

Exactly the spurs will be many options to fill in for backup pg.

[BackHome]

I see him making the team and year or two from now it will be either him or Hill on our team but not both.

[Admiral]

I know I'm a little late chiming in on this, but I love this pick at #51. This was definitely "best player available" territory, and I don't even have to know who else was available to tell you that McClinton was the best one. Since I live in ACC country, I have seen McClinton play a good bit over the last four years and can tell you that he is a very good player.

The only downside is that he is a little undersized at 6'1". However, he more than makes up for that with his athleticism, shooting, and determined play. The guy is fearless. I have watched a lot of college basketball, and I have seen very few players who are as clutch as he is. I saw several games where he would totally take over in the last few minutes of the game (as in scoring 8-10 points in a row, mostly on extremely difficult shots). I would have been happy to see us take him at #31. At #51, it's an outstanding pick.

I'm also thrilled with our other recent moves - trading for Jefferson, and drafting Blair where we did. I cannot think of better outcomes than those. Things are looking up. I bet even GhostWriter approves. :lol

[timvp]

^^ Good to have an Admiral sighting :tu


Some other tidbits on McClinton:

-He had the fastest lane agility time of any player in the draft who tested in the combine. According to the DraftExpress database, he had the ninth fastest time in that test of the last decade. Combine that with his shooting and his defensive skills and perhaps McClinton has a chance.

-Hollinger's "draft rater" hates McClinton. In fact, it rated McClinton way below everyone else.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7205/mcclintonhollinger.jpg

His draft rater penalized McClinton for being old, being short and not racking up many assists. If McClinton makes it, debunking Hollinger's stats will be a good bonus :)

-HoopsAnalyst (http://www.hoopsanalyst.com/0809ew8.htm) wasn't too high on McClinton. He had him rated as the 8th best combo guard in the draft. Here's what he had to say:


8. Jack McClinton, Miami: Jack McClinton can drill it. I would even go so far as to say that if my team were down by 3 points with 2 seconds remaining, there’s no one in college basketball I’d rather have taking the shot. That said, McClinton is a 6’1”, 5th-year senior with weak defensive numbers and no PG abilities to speak of. But he’s hit a consistent 44% on well over 600 3-pointer for his career and close to 90% on his FTs. Because of his shooting prowess he might find a spot.

Most similar players to Jack McClinton:

Lionel Chalmers, senior: .924
Hollis Price, senior: .913
Louis Bullock, junior: .910
Salim Stoudamire, junior: .902
Justin Gray, junior: .891

[Marcus Bryant]

So you play him with a bigger guard who can handle the rock. He can defend the 1, even if he can't play it.

[The Truth #6]

Interesting they said he had no defensive skills when that was one of the areas that impressed RC. I think I'll trust RC.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

My coworker watches hardcore ACC ball, he said this gunner has a definite future in the NBA, perhaps not in this or next year though.

[urunobili]

McClinton>Jennings

[exstatic]

My coworker watches hardcore ACC ball, he said this gunner has a definite future in the NBA, perhaps not in this or next year though.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit if he makes the 15 man roster. Also wouldn't surprise me a bit if he spends the year in Austin, learning the system.

[SouthTexasRancher]

Intense player who happens to be the best shooter coming out of college. Add another intense player who was about the best rebounder in college, add in another all out player who will keep getting better in George Hill, bring Splitter in next season and with relatively young guys like Parker, Jefferson and Mason and I'd say we have a good nucleus for future years. Now lets go get Timmy and Manu another 2 or 3 more rings before they retire.

The Spurs future looks very, very good!

[Blackjack]

-Hollinger's "draft rater" hates McClinton. In fact, it rated McClinton way below everyone else.

Yeah, he seemed pretty down on him in the interview I heard. He honestly thought that a poor man's Eddie House was the absolute best-case scenario.:td



http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7205/mcclintonhollinger.jpg

His draft rater penalized McClinton for being old, being short and not racking up many assists. If McClinton makes it, debunking Hollinger's stats will be a good bonus :)

Not that I needed any added incentive to root for Jack, but...:smokin

[lurker23]

So you play him with a bigger guard who can handle the rock. He can defend the 1, even if he can't play it.

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/george_hill_mug.jpg http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Orlando+Magic+v+San+Antonio+Spurs+OBNqta0aCQQl.jpg

6'9" wingspan, fully capable of guarding the 2/3.

Sounds like a good combination to me. :smokin