McCants Talk

[shrink]

I think the biggest question for next fall is going to be what will become of McCants.

McCants can be effective when he's on the court, and the following on/court, off/court numbers bear that out:

http://www.82games.com/ONSORT6.HTM

Obviously McCants would be a great sixth man, but even after the trade, I stand by my position that I'd like to see McCants start over Brewer for the first six weeks, and show us what he can do. Yeah, I know Brewer's defense is a better fit, and no, I don't expect McCants to be a starter for the whole season, but MIN has invested a lot into the guy, and he's put in a lot of work here, and I think we both owe each other one last shot. At worst, it increases his trade value and costs us a couple games.

I'm happy to see McCants was one of the first ones back, training so hard and so early. Hopefully it will help him learn to minimize mistakes. Would it have been possible for him to play in the Summer League? I'm not a fan for most older players where they have a chance to get hurt, (I kind of wish Al Jefferson wasn't helping the Olympic team and just resting), but I think it would help McCants more than all the training.

What are your predictions for McCants. Does changing Mayo to Miller change your opinion of the guy's future?

[prefuse73]

I think one of the underated positive effects of the love-mayo trade is that we let Jefferson know that he is still "the guy" and that McCants (as well as foye) are still major parts of our team. If we kept mayo, mccants would have been dealt and foye would have had to taken a back seat to mayo as well.

As far as starting is concern, I think Brewer has to start as our defensive specialist and limit the number of drives into the lane. Both Miller and McCants bring instant offense and not so much defense, so whoever shows greater commitment to team ball (and defense) should start and the other is the 6th man. With that said, a rotation of Brewer, Miller and McCants on the wings should yield enough minutes for everyone....except gomes.

[collin_k41]

I've always liked Mccants and I still think he has a great amount of potential. He's got all the tools in the toolbox he just doesn't have the key. I really want him to succeed but my patience is starting to run thin. His contract is up at the end of the season anyway let's just keep him and see what he can do until then.

[casey]

but MIN has invested a lot into the guy

I don't really agree with that statement.

[shrink]

but MIN has invested a lot into the guy

I don't really agree with that statement.

What I was getting at is that they used a lottery pick on the guy, their first in six years. I think that means the staff and fans invested a lot of hope in McCants. And finally, they've been paying millions in guaranteed salary, doctor's bills, and rehab, and they haven't got a lot to show on the court for their investment.

Personally, I think this is McCants last chance. If he doesn't come out big right away, maybe even in camp, then his last remaining supporters are going to give up on him too.

[casey]

At the time it seemed like a big deal. But right now we've had 3 picks even higher in the draft, and will probably have 3 more over the next few years. I expect him to be gone within a year and I don't think it's going to be that big of a deal.

[sabonis11]

I know that it's a great sign that he is working his butt off, but I think that there is more motivation this year for him knowing that he is going into his contract year. Don't get me wrong, cause I think McCants should and will have a great year this year, but I think he is not really going to be playing for the wolves, but more for his money for the next few seasons. If I was him, getting yanked around by the coaching staff, I too would be playing for a big contract to get out of this bad situation for him. Many of us have stated, and I do believe, that if he was put on a different team he would have been much more successful than he has been these past 2 years. The way he has been dogged by Whitman will probably make it hard to keep him in Minny after this season, unless we are willing to match any deal that he might end up getting.

[Dewey]

If McCants would shut his yap and play team defense and realize SG's do need to make some meaningful passes, we wouldn't have to discuss how the coaches handle his playing time. Drives me nuts when he'll make a shot and give the facial expression that he has just made a basket to win an NBA title (and we're down 20 at the time).

IMO, he's just been immature as a player. The coaches are asking him to do what is right and he has not yet accepted that team performance preceeds individual performance.

If he can stay healthy, he has a good opportunity to turn the corner. To do that, he also has to learn how to listen instead of bucking the system.

[sabonis11]

I completely agree about he has been immature as a player, but even in games where he is hitting shots, playing unselfishly, and playing great on ball/team defense, Whitman still found reasons to play jaric, snyder, or even buckner over him for long stretches of the game. I can't remember exactly who it was against, but I remember him having a great 1st half, with 15 points or so, a few assists, and playing some great defense, and he checked into the game for the second half with 1:30 left on the clock in the third. It's situations like those that attribute to his immaturity, because even if he does play well, the coaching staff finds reasons to play players that weren't involve in our future plans.

He does also carry an arrogance that has also bothered me. I remember some washington players (I think) that said "he is the cockiest player that has never proven anything in the league." I love his game, but he does need a little work.

[casey]

I completely agree about he has been immature as a player, but even in games where he is hitting shots, playing unselfishly, and playing great on ball/team defense, Whitman still found reasons to play jaric, snyder, or even buckner over him for long stretches of the game. I can't remember exactly who it was against, but I remember him having a great 1st half, with 15 points or so, a few assists, and playing some great defense, and he checked into the game for the second half with 1:30 left on the clock in the third. It's situations like those that attribute to his immaturity, because even if he does play well, the coaching staff finds reasons to play players that weren't involve in our future plans.

So what, Wittman is trying to sabotage McCants' career or something?

[sabonis11]

Do I think that he is purposely sabotaging mccants' career? Of course not, but I do think that his inability to put players in spots where they can be successful has stunted the growth of our young players these past few years. Especially on offense, where we rarely ever have any off ball movement when we get the ball down on the block to al. Great coaches put in offenses to get their best players the ball at spots where they are most effective on the floor, but Whitman just doesn't seem like he is able to do that, hence the lack of offensive development for some of our young wing players