Year in Review: Ray McCallum

['89 Kings Fan]

Age/Experience: 23 – 1 years

Position: PG

How acquired: Draft 2nd Round

Season Stats:

Player           G 	Min 	FGM 	FGA 	FG% 	3PM 	3PA 	3PT% 	FTM 	FTA 	FT% 	Off 	Def 	Reb 	Ast 	TO 	Stl 	Blk 	PF 	Pts
Ray McCallum     68	21:06	3.0	6.9	43.8	0.5	1.6	30.6	0.8	1.2	67.9	0.8	1.9	2.6	2.8	1.3	0.7	0.2	1.4	7.4

Season Summary:
If there was a way to describe Ray McCallum’s season, it would be missed opportunities. Ray started the season as the third point guard on the depth chart. Collison got hurt and Sessions turned into a pumpkin, which left Ray as the starting point guard for the last part of the season. Unfortunately for Ray, he really didn’t take this chance to impress. Ray was our fastest player on the court, he had the third highest Assist/Turnover ratio (behind Miller and Collison) but other than that, everything was a negative.

To quote his NBADraft.net profile: “Doesn't do any one thing particularly well, as there are several more talented shooters, playmakers, defenders, and athletes among this point guard class”. That pretty much sums up Ray McCallum. Without an elite skill of some kind, I don’t see him making it at this level.

Advanced Stats Glossary:
T_MIN = Total Minutes. The seconds are converted to decimal values out of a 100 to make querying easier.
DIFF/MIN = Differential per Minute
T_DIFF = Total Differential
REB/MIN = Rebounds per Minute
UFG% = Unguarded Field Goal Percentage. Unguarded means there is no one within 3.5 feet.
CFG% = Contested Field Goal Percentage. There is at least one defender within 3.5 feet.
DFG% = Field Goals defended at rim percentage.
AT_RATIO = Assist to Turnover ratio. This includes passes that lead to free throws and the pass that lead to an assist, so it will seems inflated.

Month	TOTAL_MIN DIFF_per_Min	Total_Diff REB_MIN	UFG%	CFG%	DFG%	AT_RATIO
10	1.52	    -0.66	   -1	     0	        0	0	0	0
11	92.37	    -0.39	   -36	     0.16	0.31	0.64	0.62	1.5
12	152.12	    -0.32	   -48	     0.2	0.33	0.35	0.73	3.22
1	185.24	    -0.23	   -42	     0.21	0.44	0.46	0.6	2.9
2	209.84	    -0.21	   -45	     0.15	0.35	0.57	0.88	2.29
3	493.85	    -0.08	   -38	     0.17	0.43	0.41	0.64	3.64
4	300.92	    -0.05	   -14	     0.2	0.46	0.49	0.85	3.59

For a while Ray had the worst +/- on the team. Luckily he got to start quite a few games and played a lot of garbage time. So March and April really improved his numbers.

Player Comparison:
I decided to compare Ray to the much maligned Trey Burke. They were in the same draft, play the same position and Utah fans feel like they really need an upgrade from Burke to go to the next level.

Player           G 	Min 	FGM 	FGA 	FG% 	3PM 	3PA 	3PT% 	FTM 	FTA 	FT% 	Off 	Def 	Reb 	Ast 	TO 	Stl 	Blk 	PF 	Pts
Ray McCallum     68	21:06	3.0	6.9	43.8	0.5	1.6	30.6	0.8	1.2	67.9	0.8	1.9	2.6	2.8	1.3	0.7	0.2	1.4	7.4
Trey Burke 	 76 	30:06 	4.9 	13.2 	36.8 	1.6 	5.1 	31.8 	1.4 	1.9 	75.2 	0.4 	2.3 	2.7 	4.3 	1.6 	0.9 	0.2 	1.6 	12.8

Defense
Type      Player 	 GP 	Poss 	Freq 	PPP 	PTS 	FGM 	FGA 	FG% 	eFG%   FT Freq 	TO Freq  SF Freq  And One Freq  Score Freq Percentile
Isolation Ray McCallum   66	 59	12.30%	1.2	 71	 24	 48	50	54.2	23.70%	 1.70%	 22.00%	    6.80%	  55.90%    3.7
Isolation Trey Burke	 76	 77	 9.70%	1.01	 78	 30	 59	50.8	50.8	15.60%	 9.10%	 14.30%	    1.30%	  53.20%   16.6
P&R       Ray McCallum	 66	239	50.00%	0.83	199	 78	175	44.6	47.4	10.50%	19.20%	  9.60%	    2.90%	  39.70%   33
P&R       Trey Burke	 76	358	45.30%	0.75	267	109	286	38.1	40.9	 5.60%	15.60%	  5.00%	    1.10%	  34.60%   59.4
Spot Up   Ray McCallum	 66	 85	17.80%	1.21	103	 37	 82	45.1	61	 1.20%	 2.40%	  1.20%	    0.00%	  44.70%    7
Spot Up   Trey Burke	 76	170	21.50%	1.01	172	 62	159	39	52.8	 1.20%	 5.30%	  1.20%	    0.00%	  37.60%   37.3
O Screens Ray McCallum	 66	 22	 4.60%	1.41 	31	 11	 20	55	67.5 	 9.10%	 0.00%	  9.10%	    0.00%	  59.10%    4
O Screens Trey Burke	 76	 39	 4.90%	0.74 	29	  9	 32	28.1	34.4	10.30%	 7.70%	 10.30%	    0.00%	  33.30%   76.4

Offence
Type       Player 	  GP 	Poss 	Freq 	PPP 	PTS 	FGM 	FGA 	FG% 	eFG%   FT Freq 	TO Freq  SF Freq  And One Freq  Score Freq Percentile
Transition Ray McCallum   65	115	19.30%	0.99	114	46	 85	54.1	57.6	12.20%	13.90%	 10.40%	    0.90%	  50.40%   27.1
Transition Trey Burke	  76	145	12.20%	0.88	127	49	118	41.5	45.8 	 7.60%	11.70%	  7.60%	    0.70%	  40.70%   14.9
Isolation  Ray McCallum	  65	30	 5.00%	1	 30	13	 26	50	51.9	13.30%	10.00%	 13.30%	   10.00%	  46.70%   88.6
Isolation  Trey Burke	  76	64	 5.40%	0.38 	 24	 5	 46	10.9	13	14.10%	14.10%	 12.50%	    0.00%	  20.30%    2.2
P&R        Ray McCallum	  65	163	27.30%	0.75	122	55	134	41	42.9 	 3.10%	14.70%	  0.60%	    0.00%	  36.80%   50.9
P&R        Trey Burke	  76	455	38.20%	0.72	326    136	369	36.9	37.9	 6.60%	13.20%	  5.50%	    0.90%	  35.60%   41.5
Spot Up    Ray McCallum	  65	118	19.80%	0.86	102	36	103	35	45.1 	 4.20%	 8.50%	  2.50%	    0.00%	  34.70%   38.5
Spot Up    Trey Burke	  76	305	25.60%	1.09	332	118	296	39.9	55.4 	1.30%	 2.30%	  1.00%	    0.70%	  39.30%   79.9

It's funny thinking back to when he was drafted and he was supposed to be a good defender. I originally thought the numbers would justify more investment in Ray, but in the bottom 10% in 3 different categories was eye opening. Also disheartening was the fact that his 3P%, FT%, Turnovers were up and his PER went up because he finished much better at the rim this year.

In fact that is his biggest skill, is getting into the paint and making mid range jumpers and floaters. Unfortunately that kind of game does not mesh at all with Cousins and Gay, but does really well in Summer League.

Season Highlight:
03-22-15 VS Was
This was Ray's highest +/- of the season as we throttled the Wizards and he held Wall to a 3-10 night.

Min 	FG 	3pt 	FT 	+/- 	Off 	Def 	Reb 	Ast 	TO 	Stl 	Blk 	BA 	PF 	Pts
 30:22 	5-9 	1-2 	2-2 	+23 	1 	1 	2 	6 	0 	0 	0 	0 	1 	13

Season Lowlight:
4-8-15 VS Utah
This is the game where Dante Exum just schooled Ray. Are only starter was Ben, so we were not interested in winning at this point in the season, but it was an all around disappointing performance.

Min 	FG 	3pt 	FT 	+/- 	Off 	Def 	Reb 	Ast 	TO 	Stl 	Blk 	BA 	PF 	Pts
33:08 	1-7 	1-2 	0-0 	-21 	0 	2 	2 	2 	1 	2 	0 	1 	1 	3

Next Steps:
I would guess D-League where he can work on his game and maybe improve while getting 30 minutes a night.

Possible Replacement:
Maybe Trey Burke (I kid), but there is glut of Backup Point Guards out there, so we should be able to find someone to platoon with Collison and Miller.

Season Grade:
D, Ray had a golden opportunity to shine and didn't.

General Manager Grade:
C-, he went with the safe pick and it didn't really pay off. The flip side is we didn't miss out on much (Ryan Kelly, Jeff Withey, or Nate Wolters).

 

[lawlman91]

I don't remember him taking floaters, just quick jump shots. In the Kings' most reliable offense, the inside-out type, Ray McCallum doesn't fit that well. However, I do see that the Kings run a pick and roll before transitioning into an inside-out offense... and this is where McCallum has the opportunity to utilize his skills, but does not have an aggressive approach. He almost always passes to DeMarcus Cousins on the pick and roll, which eliminates McCallum as a driving threat. Maybe that lack of an aggressive approach is due to less confidence? I'd suggest that he work on the pick and roll game this summer, so that he can be more effective. I'm a McCallum fan, and I believe he will have a good future in the NBA.

 

[KingMilz]

I love his attitude and the way he's always ready to play and scrap but in saying that he lacks creativity off the bounce (he can't get into the lane for a PG very well) and his court vision is fairly limited. I hope Ray gets better seems like a great guy and easy to coach but other than the 40 inch vertical he does not really have much else going for him to be a viable PG.

I wish Ray the best but.

 

[Gilles]

Ray is scrappy and works hard, but end results are terrible. 100-y.o. 'Dre, who apparently can't guard a chair is doing much better on D, surrounded by the same personnel. Small sample size, but in 180 minutes without Coke machine 'Dre-lead Kings allowed 1.04 PPP. For Ray same number is 1.14 PPP.

P.S. Derrick Williams was Kings' best tank commander.

 

[Bricklayer]

So much work put into these things, '89 deserves more comments.

 

[206Fan]

I'm a bit disappointed his defense is not as high as the eye test seems. I think Ray was forced into the starting PG lineup and it didn't do him many favors. He's more of a 3rd guard type of player. He's a good scorer who's very aggressive. I think if he can improve his shooting just a bit more, he'll have a very long career in the NBA.

Hustle type of player who's probably not going to start on any team for a long time. I really enjoyed seeing his heart out there. He was forced to be a playmaker, but it's not a strength of his. Enjoyed this write up, I didn't see it until now.

I think Utah has to feel some type of way... traded two mid 1st round picks for Burke and he's at best a backup PG who shoots way too much... I'd rather have Ray>Burke because at least Ray knows when to stop taking shots lol.

 

[HndsmCelt]

Like other posters I loved Ray's attitude and hustle. Unfortunately especially in this guard dominant era it just takes more than that to be solid rotation player. With his work ethic and good coaching he could work on his judgment, jump shot and defense. For that reason it will be best if the Kings either free him up or keep him is Sac. Reno could kill his career, but some time with Miller and Karal's staff might salvage the project.

 

[CruzDude]

PG is the most difficult position to grow into in the NBA. Ray's fundamentals are good, not great, he makes few TO's, has good PG size and is learning how to get to the basket. Court vision ok, in general a "C" grade is about right for the 2nd rounder. He'll be a decent inexpensive backup to Collison but will get some competition in the next year or so from young Stockton. Under contract for another year and then......

 

[PurpleHaze]

If he'd stuck with Kings Jason Terry would have probably gotten lot of minutes once Collison was injured. Then we'd most likely still be wondering about RayMac potential. Now we know. He's nothing more than some ones backup PG that will probably never reach talent level of a young Jason Terry and might not be as good right now as 37 year old established NBA veteran. Kings need to surround franchise cornerstone DMC with much better talent and unfortunately RayMac is not part of that equation.

 

[Bricklayer]

The difficulty for Ray is that he is maybe a 3rd PG you keep as a a 12th man...but at 39 so basically is Miller. You can't have either guy as your main backup or one injury to your starter and your season is toast. And I think we want, and should want, Miller back for his experience and pure pointiness. Which leaves Ray out in the cold. Don't know if a marginal guy like that has much trade value, but as a young throw in to a larger deal I could see it happening.

 

[rainmaker]

Here's a question. If he was cut, would any other team pick him up and offer him a contract? I'd say probably not. He'd get invited to training camp, then cut before the season.

He's a borderline NBA roster player who could easily be in Europe within a year or two.

Not a good enough shooter to play the 2, can't create his own shot all that well or attack the paint, and his vision is awful. Time and time again he read situations incorrectly. Forcing shots when he shouldn't, missing open players and failing to understand some pretty basic spacing /advantages.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

rain, are we talking about this guy here?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...nba-summer-league-2014-championship-mvp-award

 

[Big Cuz 15]

this guy was summer league MVP guys. he's good.

 

[Entity]

Best thing about ray is he could be a combo guard be your 5th guard that can play either position.

 

[PurpleHaze]

Summer league MVP is nothing to hang your hat on. Borderline NBA competition and scrubs for most part.

 

[Sac.Kings]

Overrated by some here. As previously said he had every chance and only thing he proved is that he isn't worth keeping around and worse yet, relied upon. Needs to be relegated to last PG off the bench or traded.

 

[jdbraver]

Emergency contributor role is fine. He has until his contract ends to prove he should be more.

 

[lawlman91]

He should be at the very least there when the other guards are playing like poop. I want him to do more, but that's the very least that he deserves.

 

[Albatros]

He needs to work on posting up. Take some advise from Miller. If your shot isn't a weapon get another weapon to exploit. He's bulky enough to take smaller guards inside.

I hate seeing him dribbling the ball over the place doing absolutely nothing of substance.

Great kid and hard worker so I root for him but he's very limited. And his defense is only talked about because everyone else on the roster couldn't defend a parked car.

 

[gunks]

I'm down with Ray and Dre platooning the backup PG minutes next season, but at the same time, if DC goes down again we're ******.

With a little more improvement, he can carve out a niche career as a 3rd string guard. Unfortunately, with his upside, a little more improvement is probably all we're going to get out of the guy.

Ah well, he'll always have that Lakers game.

 

[Bricklayer]

I'm down with Ray and Dre platooning the backup PG minutes next season, but at the same time, if DC goes down again we're ******.

Which we can't be. Hence why that can't happen.

 

[notoriousBEN3]

I don't know. Everyone here makes it sound like he doesn't have the skills to be in the NBA, but from what i saw, he was just far too timid with the ball, he just did nothing. I would like to see if Karl can get something more out of him. I'm not saying he's NOT a bust, but i'm saying i would like to see him get some confidence running the offense, being more aggressive to score and dish the ball. I mean he looked like he had at least SOME potential the last couple seasons, he just stepped out on the court and disappeared, and to me that was more due to lack of confidence, not necessarily lack of skill. He certainly doesn't look like the next coming of Isaiah Thomas as a 2nd round steal, but i'm at least curious to see what he comes out with after a full training camp with karl and hopefully significant input from Andre.

 

[lawlman91]

I don't know. Everyone here makes it sound like he doesn't have the skills to be in the NBA, but from what i saw, he was just far too timid with the ball, he just did nothing. I would like to see if Karl can get something more out of him. I'm not saying he's NOT a bust, but i'm saying i would like to see him get some confidence running the offense, being more aggressive to score and dish the ball. I mean he looked like he had at least SOME potential the last couple seasons, he just stepped out on the court and disappeared, and to me that was more due to lack of confidence, not necessarily lack of skill. He certainly doesn't look like the next coming of Isaiah Thomas as a 2nd round steal, but i'm at least curious to see what he comes out with after a full training camp with karl and hopefully significant input from Andre.

He will benefit as a second unit guard, if the second unit utilizes the pick and roll as its primary weapon, and both Stauskas and McCallum be aggressive. McCallum doesn't fit that well with a post-up offense except for his cutting instincts, but his shooting holds him back. He seems to be the kind of player that thrives on the pick and roll, and so does Stauskas. Malone didn't know how to use the second unit, and Corbin dealt with a demoralized roster, and George Karl is just starting. I say we give McCallum more time, since we can afford it: we have Miller as a safety, and McCallum is also young. He'll be good if Karl puts him in the right places, and roster consistency wouldn't hurt either.