duncan228
07-18-2009, 12:02 AM
Spurs rookie still searching for range (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Spurs_rookie_still_searching_for_range.html)
Jeff McDonald
LAS VEGAS — The tattoos cover almost every visible inch of Jack McClinton's body, snaking up and down his arms and shoulders, across his torso, down his calves.
He long ago lost count of how many he has, but figures the number must be more than 20.
McClinton has his eye on one more.
“I like that Spurs logo a lot,” said McClinton, the second of the team's second-round picks in the June draft. “I swear I was thinking about getting it. I think I can find a spot.”
Before McClinton can find a spot for the Spurs, the Spurs must first find a spot for him.
Drafted No. 51 overall after a sharpshooting college career at Miami, McClinton has found himself in the middle of an unfavorable numbers game in San Antonio. The Spurs already have 14 players under contract for training camp, with one roster spot available.
McClinton had hoped to use the NBA Summer League to make an early case for it. Three games in, he is still looking for his first field goal.
McClinton is 0 for 8, his only points coming on a pair of free throws.
The man who shot an ACC-record 44 percent from 3-point range in three seasons at Miami is shooting 0 percent in Las Vegas. He is trying hard not to press, even as the urge to press has become overwhelming.
“I am going to make a shot before summer league is over,” a self-deprecating McClinton vowed after Friday afternoon's practice at UNLV. “Quote me on that.”
That would certainly be in his best interest.
McClinton is 6-foot-1, but isn't projected to be a point guard. He is here because can shoot. That is his primary NBA skill. So far in Vegas, he has been unable to showcase it.
Part of it is mental. Like many rookies, McClinton has so much new information swimming around in his head, it has been difficult to let loose and just play.
Part of it is logistical. In Las Vegas, he is getting far fewer minutes than he was accustomed to in college, logging just 40 in three games. Undrafted free agent Romel Beck, by contrast, has played 76 minutes for the Spurs.
“It takes time to get comfortable,” McClinton said. “I'm trying to make the team, trying to impress these guys, trying to make shots. It will all fall into place.”
Even if McClinton doesn't make the opening-day roster, the Spurs would like to keep him in their pipeline. He could begin his professional career in the development league, a path that worked well for former second-round draft picks Malik Hairston and Marcus Williams.
Before Friday's practice, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich swung by with the sole purpose of conferring with McClinton.
Popovich's message: Don't press. Just shoot.
“That was good to hear, coming from him,” McClinton said.
Spurs assistant Don Newman, who is running the summer league team, said the coaching staff is not worried about McClinton's shooting slump. They already know he can shoot.
“He doesn't need to worry about making shots or missing shots,” Newman said. “Just go on to the next one and play. Just figure it out.”
As his shots have continued to misfire, McClinton has sought comfort and counsel from George Hill, the second-year point guard and de facto captain of the Spurs summer league squad. If anyone can relate to what McClinton is going through, it is Hill.
Hill went 2 for 25 from the field in three games here last year, but he turned out to be a productive rookie.
His advice to McClinton is much the same as Popovich's.
“I told him to keep shooting it,” Hill said. “You can't control that you're missing shots. All you can do is to keep taking them with confidence. It will turn around sooner or later.”
If McClinton gets a vote, it will be for “sooner.”
“I'm going to shoot 100 percent next game,” McClinton said. “It's all a mental game. You can't think about it. You've just got to do it.”
Jeff McDonald
LAS VEGAS — The tattoos cover almost every visible inch of Jack McClinton's body, snaking up and down his arms and shoulders, across his torso, down his calves.
He long ago lost count of how many he has, but figures the number must be more than 20.
McClinton has his eye on one more.
“I like that Spurs logo a lot,” said McClinton, the second of the team's second-round picks in the June draft. “I swear I was thinking about getting it. I think I can find a spot.”
Before McClinton can find a spot for the Spurs, the Spurs must first find a spot for him.
Drafted No. 51 overall after a sharpshooting college career at Miami, McClinton has found himself in the middle of an unfavorable numbers game in San Antonio. The Spurs already have 14 players under contract for training camp, with one roster spot available.
McClinton had hoped to use the NBA Summer League to make an early case for it. Three games in, he is still looking for his first field goal.
McClinton is 0 for 8, his only points coming on a pair of free throws.
The man who shot an ACC-record 44 percent from 3-point range in three seasons at Miami is shooting 0 percent in Las Vegas. He is trying hard not to press, even as the urge to press has become overwhelming.
“I am going to make a shot before summer league is over,” a self-deprecating McClinton vowed after Friday afternoon's practice at UNLV. “Quote me on that.”
That would certainly be in his best interest.
McClinton is 6-foot-1, but isn't projected to be a point guard. He is here because can shoot. That is his primary NBA skill. So far in Vegas, he has been unable to showcase it.
Part of it is mental. Like many rookies, McClinton has so much new information swimming around in his head, it has been difficult to let loose and just play.
Part of it is logistical. In Las Vegas, he is getting far fewer minutes than he was accustomed to in college, logging just 40 in three games. Undrafted free agent Romel Beck, by contrast, has played 76 minutes for the Spurs.
“It takes time to get comfortable,” McClinton said. “I'm trying to make the team, trying to impress these guys, trying to make shots. It will all fall into place.”
Even if McClinton doesn't make the opening-day roster, the Spurs would like to keep him in their pipeline. He could begin his professional career in the development league, a path that worked well for former second-round draft picks Malik Hairston and Marcus Williams.
Before Friday's practice, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich swung by with the sole purpose of conferring with McClinton.
Popovich's message: Don't press. Just shoot.
“That was good to hear, coming from him,” McClinton said.
Spurs assistant Don Newman, who is running the summer league team, said the coaching staff is not worried about McClinton's shooting slump. They already know he can shoot.
“He doesn't need to worry about making shots or missing shots,” Newman said. “Just go on to the next one and play. Just figure it out.”
As his shots have continued to misfire, McClinton has sought comfort and counsel from George Hill, the second-year point guard and de facto captain of the Spurs summer league squad. If anyone can relate to what McClinton is going through, it is Hill.
Hill went 2 for 25 from the field in three games here last year, but he turned out to be a productive rookie.
His advice to McClinton is much the same as Popovich's.
“I told him to keep shooting it,” Hill said. “You can't control that you're missing shots. All you can do is to keep taking them with confidence. It will turn around sooner or later.”
If McClinton gets a vote, it will be for “sooner.”
“I'm going to shoot 100 percent next game,” McClinton said. “It's all a mental game. You can't think about it. You've just got to do it.”