I know its early on McCallum, but if he continues to develop, he has starting PG in the modern NBA written all over him. Size, High IQ, Natural leader, great character, willing defender, good penetrator, dictates pace of game, good form on jumpshot. It will be interesting to see what he can do when he's surrounded by real players. I was high on him when we drafted him, and I'm gonna make the prediction now that he will be the starting PG by 2014-2015 if not sooner.
Thoughts on McCallum
- Thread starter jcwkings
- Start date
I have yet to see a distributor's mentality in the summer league games. He is very good at getting into the lane, but his passing tends to be late and he hasn't shown the ability to run set offenses.
I also wonder how his shot is. He is taking most of his attempts at the rim, which is not a bad thing in general, just seems that he may be a lesser Westbrook without the out of this world athleticism.
I also wonder how his shot is. He is taking most of his attempts at the rim, which is not a bad thing in general, just seems that he may be a lesser Westbrook without the out of this world athleticism.
Love the pick overall, but totally agree with your assessment. He needs time to develop his PG skills - you can tell he was the lead dog for his team in college, nice mentality to have, but won't work in the NBA. I'd also add I like his defense, very good instincts and seems to be everywhere.
He should play in Reno for most of the season, at least when the team is traveling so he can get minutes/practice time.
He should play in Reno for most of the season, at least when the team is traveling so he can get minutes/practice time.
He's been solid, but this is getting out of hand...
He dribbles too much, sometimes has trouble getting into the offense and instead dribbles around headlessly. He's not really a distibutor - granted, you can't really judge this off the SL as he's playing with a bunch of scrubs who are all out to get their own. But I've seen him miss the right pass a few too many times for it to be coincidence. On the other hand he's active defensively, does a solid job getting into the paint and finishing. Good intangibles and smart.
Too early to judge either way. He could actually look better in training camp when he's playing with good players. He looks promising, but based on what we've seen so far, it's a big stretch to see him as a starter in the NBA, even down the line. But if he even becomes a contributor off the bench in the future, that's a success for a 2nd round pick.
He dribbles too much, sometimes has trouble getting into the offense and instead dribbles around headlessly. He's not really a distibutor - granted, you can't really judge this off the SL as he's playing with a bunch of scrubs who are all out to get their own. But I've seen him miss the right pass a few too many times for it to be coincidence. On the other hand he's active defensively, does a solid job getting into the paint and finishing. Good intangibles and smart.
Too early to judge either way. He could actually look better in training camp when he's playing with good players. He looks promising, but based on what we've seen so far, it's a big stretch to see him as a starter in the NBA, even down the line. But if he even becomes a contributor off the bench in the future, that's a success for a 2nd round pick.
The physical tools are there but needs work running a team. Doesn't seem to be a natural passer.
Anyone else noticed that he heavily favors his right hand? Is it just me or does it seem like when he goes left, 4 out of 5 times he does a spin back to his right, even if the teeth of the defense is in that direction.
Anyone else noticed that he heavily favors his right hand? Is it just me or does it seem like when he goes left, 4 out of 5 times he does a spin back to his right, even if the teeth of the defense is in that direction.
Neither Nash nor Stockton won a title, which is ultimately the end goal. It's a fair point that pure distributors almost never get it done in terms of championships, but I'm not really sure how that helps the argument for McCallum, given that he's yet to show the ability to make up for his lack of passing with other elite traits.
FWIW, before you jump down my throat, it's obvious that Nash and Stockton not having titles is due to factors other than their elite passing, but the point is still a valid one.
I've been impressed with McCallum's game even before tithe summer league performance. Should be expected because he has had a lot PG experience and success so far. I think we need to keep an eye on him to see how his talent and experience works or translates to the NBA play. Then we will have a much better idea. Don't crown him yet.
But Kidd, Rondo and Magic won titles; so it's not like there is no history of pass-first PG winning titles.
And for that matter many shoot-first PG don't win titles either - not Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury, Damon Stoudamire, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Hardaway, etc.
In fact, the history of title winning PGs include all types - the pass-first (Rondo, Kidd, Magic, JWill), the all-around (Isiah Thomas), the shoot-first (Billups, Tony Parker, Sam Cassell), and the "Do Nothing PG" - PG that does nothing other than defend and knock down the occasional threes (John Paxson, Mario Chalmers, Derek Fisher).
What this tells us is that: 1) there is no one type of PG who wins title and 2) whether or not a good PG wins a title depends on how good the overall team is.
And for that matter many shoot-first PG don't win titles either - not Steve Francis, Stephon Marbury, Damon Stoudamire, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Hardaway, etc.
In fact, the history of title winning PGs include all types - the pass-first (Rondo, Kidd, Magic, JWill), the all-around (Isiah Thomas), the shoot-first (Billups, Tony Parker, Sam Cassell), and the "Do Nothing PG" - PG that does nothing other than defend and knock down the occasional threes (John Paxson, Mario Chalmers, Derek Fisher).
What this tells us is that: 1) there is no one type of PG who wins title and 2) whether or not a good PG wins a title depends on how good the overall team is.
I think we are going to see him get a little run this year. If the roster stays the same in the backcourt and we don't pick up another SF, I think we will see some 3 guard sets with GV guarding the opposing teams SF while playing with McM and Isaiah or Ray. Will be dependent on the opposing teams lineup and will be in small stretches but would be a way to get PT for guards and when Mbah a Moute is out of the game. Match ups will determine that.
Malone had a big say in lineups in GS and they did run 3 guard sets with Klay sliding down to SF dependent on other teams match ups. Running Ray and Ben in the backcourt may be our best defensive backcourt and GV at SF to facilitate. Would definitely want Cuz on the floor. I expect Ray to be on the active roster.
Malone had a big say in lineups in GS and they did run 3 guard sets with Klay sliding down to SF dependent on other teams match ups. Running Ray and Ben in the backcourt may be our best defensive backcourt and GV at SF to facilitate. Would definitely want Cuz on the floor. I expect Ray to be on the active roster.
In defense of McCallum's over dribbling, no one is open on this team, ever. McLemore comes off screens and isn't open. This is a major concern of mine. We are actually using McLemore right at times and even that isn't working for him. No one is getting open at any kind of advantageous spot on the court for Ray to pass it too, so he dribbles and dribbles while no one moves. Plus he is the only guy on this entire team who can create his own shot.
Yea, I don't think the over dribbling is that big of an issue. There were a lot of plays where he was trying to drop the ball into someone, or hit someone off a screen and they could never get open. Was pretty hilarious to see it happen over and over. That lead to him dribbling around a lot trying to find someone until he had to shoot.
Not to mention the fact that the "bigs" on this team have rocks for hands. McCallum has missed out on quite a few assists because these guys just can't catch and finish with the basketball.
I'm always skeptical about 2nd round players, especially with the Kings history of hardly ever drafting anyone worth a damn in the 2nd round. So I'm not going to say he's an NBA talent but at least he hasn't been a dud. He needs to work on his finishing abilities but I've been impressed by his passing skills. He definitely seems like he's a pass first kind of guy but he's playing on a horrible team with guys who don't know how to move without the basketball. It'll be interesting to see if he gets on the NBA roster. He's had a better summer league than Jimmer ever had.
I'm always skeptical about 2nd round players, especially with the Kings history of hardly ever drafting anyone worth a damn in the 2nd round. So I'm not going to say he's an NBA talent but at least he hasn't been a dud. He needs to work on his finishing abilities but I've been impressed by his passing skills. He definitely seems like he's a pass first kind of guy but he's playing on a horrible team with guys who don't know how to move without the basketball. It'll be interesting to see if he gets on the NBA roster. He's had a better summer league than Jimmer ever had.
Vasquez can create for himself too and there is no need to have more then 2-3 iso players on a team, if you manage to run a successful system. Kings have a very good low-post-player, 1 guard, who can create his own shot at will and 1 guard, who is very good to create for himself or others off the P&R. Not too much to worry about offensively, if Mclemore, Thornton and Salmons can hit open shots next season. The major concern is the defense.
You must not have seen Vasquez play before then. He gets his off PnRs but he doesn't break down a defense like IT does. We'll see how they make space for Cousins. Vasquez isn't an efficient scorer and isn't exactly a lights out shooter himself so it is gonna be a problem. He literally stood on top of the key for the Hornets and passed out for points of off curls by their wing players and occasional PnR and PnPs with Anderson. He doesn't attack the paint nor does he shoot off of PnRs. If you read some the pelicans/hornets board, his assists are a product of him being the only guy in a position to get assists thus the low team assists totals for that team. He's a solid player but lets not pretend we're gonna be the early 2000's Kings because of him. He's a stop gap for us at best until either we draft a more talented point guard or McCallum develops into one.
I must not have seen Vasquez play, cause i disagree with you? Sorry but i have seen him play plenty of times and i see him as a legit starting PG in this league and not as a stop gap. Not athletic, but very smart, strong and can get to the rim out of the P&R or shoot decently from time to time from 3 and midrange if he needs to. Yeah you will provide all kind of stats to back up your opinion, that Vasquez is mediocre or even worse. Go ahead, i m getting used to all this negativity on this board, so i doubt you can tell me andything new and i dont share the statistical fixation of the majority of users anyways. 
I ll keep in mind, that no regular season game is played yet and we will see how the roster looks and the players perform in a few months.
I ll keep in mind, that no regular season game is played yet and we will see how the roster looks and the players perform in a few months.