Does Mac McClung belong in the NBA ?

[Godymas]

no he doesn't and the NBA would not be better off with him playing

It would remind me of Tacko Fall, dude that just gets played at the end of games for fan service. The equivalent to a "circus performer" in the NBA, disgusting

[Prince187]

lol theres so much more to basketball than dunking, i mean most of the top players in nba now dont even dunk great...its the same reason why other professional dunkers on youtube like mcclung arent in the nba either

Yeah totally except that most pro dunkers could never play D1 basketball let alone be the best player and leading scorer on a P5 tournament team. They wouldn’t be the mvp and leading scorer of the g league. And they definitely wouldn’t have put up 20/9/9 on 8/17 shooting when they actually did play their first meaningful minutes in an nba game.

I feel like most of the haters are selectively ignoring that last part. Mac got to play 33 minutes one night back when he was on Philly and he put up a near 20 point triple double on 50% shooting. So we have proof that he can hang with actual nba players.

There is no excuse why he can’t have 1 out 15 roster spots in a league where so many players show no effort on a nightly basis, with tanking teams like Utah and Washington, and where Bronny and Giannis’ brother are on NBA rosters

[Mirotic12]

As mentioned in the other thread, he definitely could be a bench player. Your 3rd PG, something like that. Following him since he went viral with his high school mixtape.

What I find interesting with him, he always had doubters and always exceeded by far all expectations. For his high school mixtape it was brought up that he only looks so dominant because he plays for a small school in middle of nowhere, Virginia. That he isn´t good enough to play division 1 ball. In the end he was a 3 star recruit. Had a solid 3 year college car, making the Big East All Freshman team and being the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

But here comes the issue. Already 22 at draft night. As a score first point guard. Probably the hardest position atm to make it in the league if you look at the sheer amount of talent on that position and how many actual 1st rounders struggle to get playing time.

Always looked solid in Summer League and the G League. Related to the people that bring up his current shooting averages, he is playing his 4th season in the G League. In his first season, as a rookie, he averaged 20 points, 6 Assists, 4 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field, 40% from 3, and 81% from the FT line and won the G League Rookie of the Year award. He still only got 2 callups for the NBA and played 25 minutes in total.

And this is the kind of problem with the G League. What point does a development league have, if it doesn't matter at all how you actually play there?

Look up the actual G League MVPs. The best player of that season. You'd expect they get a real shot in the NBA afterwards, right?

2016 - Jarnell Stokes. League & Finals MVP, 22 years old, played 21 minutes in the NBA the next 2 seasons
2017 - Vander Blue, 25 years old, played 45 minutes in the NBA the following season, went mid season to Italy and was Cup Finals MVP
2018 - Lorenzo Brown, 28, played 213 minutes in the NBA the following season, currently one of the best Euroleague players
2019 - Chris Boucher, 25, solid rotation player on the Raptors
2020 - Frank Mason, 26, played 80 minutes in the NBA the following season, then out of the league
2021 - Paul Reed, 21, won League MVP and Rookie of the year as a 2nd round pick, current rotation player in Philly
2022- Trevelin Queen, 25, played 239 minutes over the next 2 seasons in the NBA
2023- Carlik Jones, 25, played 56 minutes in the NBA the following season
2024 - Mac McClung, 25, has played 5 minutes in the NBA since his MVP title

So from the last 9 G League MVPs exactly 2 got an actual shot in the NBA. And well, Boucher is Canadian, so that probably had some impact for Toronto and Paul Reed was simply a 2nd rounder that played major parts of his rookie season in the G-League. He still played more minutes in the NBA that same season (177) than 7 of the 8 other players did the season after they won their MVP title.

We know that there are former NBA players and rookies in the G League. So we can assume that all of these players would at least be on the level of a NBA bench player. Some of the winners actually had that role before they went to the G League like Frank Mason or Lorenzo Brown. Lorenzo Brown is playing for the Spanish National team since 2022, was an All Tournament player when they won gold at the Eurobasket, but apparently he isn't good enough to be on an NBA bench^^.

In the meantime we have Keon Johnson playing 23 minutes each night averaging 10 points while shooting 37% from the field and 29% from 3, but man, he's really athletic and plays solid defense and every now and then he has a really nice game, if he figures it out one day we really have some nice asset him for the future, or at least until we fall in love with the next super raw, athletic 19 year old that we give 4 years to turn into a butterfly.

Lorenzo Brown is nowhere close to being one of the best players in the EuroLeague though. He's an average level EuroLeague player, and even giving him that might be a bit too generous.

[balrog27]

So why do you think he's not in the NBA? NBA can definitely make more money and market him more if he was in the league.

[bkkrh]

As mentioned in the other thread, he definitely could be a bench player. Your 3rd PG, something like that. Following him since he went viral with his high school mixtape.

What I find interesting with him, he always had doubters and always exceeded by far all expectations. For his high school mixtape it was brought up that he only looks so dominant because he plays for a small school in middle of nowhere, Virginia. That he isn´t good enough to play division 1 ball. In the end he was a 3 star recruit. Had a solid 3 year college car, making the Big East All Freshman team and being the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year.

But here comes the issue. Already 22 at draft night. As a score first point guard. Probably the hardest position atm to make it in the league if you look at the sheer amount of talent on that position and how many actual 1st rounders struggle to get playing time.

Always looked solid in Summer League and the G League. Related to the people that bring up his current shooting averages, he is playing his 4th season in the G League. In his first season, as a rookie, he averaged 20 points, 6 Assists, 4 rebounds while shooting 48% from the field, 40% from 3, and 81% from the FT line and won the G League Rookie of the Year award. He still only got 2 callups for the NBA and played 25 minutes in total.

And this is the kind of problem with the G League. What point does a development league have, if it doesn't matter at all how you actually play there?

Look up the actual G League MVPs. The best player of that season. You'd expect they get a real shot in the NBA afterwards, right?

2016 - Jarnell Stokes. League & Finals MVP, 22 years old, played 21 minutes in the NBA the next 2 seasons
2017 - Vander Blue, 25 years old, played 45 minutes in the NBA the following season, went mid season to Italy and was Cup Finals MVP
2018 - Lorenzo Brown, 28, played 213 minutes in the NBA the following season, currently one of the best Euroleague players
2019 - Chris Boucher, 25, solid rotation player on the Raptors
2020 - Frank Mason, 26, played 80 minutes in the NBA the following season, then out of the league
2021 - Paul Reed, 21, won League MVP and Rookie of the year as a 2nd round pick, current rotation player in Philly
2022- Trevelin Queen, 25, played 239 minutes over the next 2 seasons in the NBA
2023- Carlik Jones, 25, played 56 minutes in the NBA the following season
2024 - Mac McClung, 25, has played 5 minutes in the NBA since his MVP title

So from the last 9 G League MVPs exactly 2 got an actual shot in the NBA. And well, Boucher is Canadian, so that probably had some impact for Toronto and Paul Reed was simply a 2nd rounder that played major parts of his rookie season in the G-League. He still played more minutes in the NBA that same season (177) than 7 of the 8 other players did the season after they won their MVP title.

We know that there are former NBA players and rookies in the G League. So we can assume that all of these players would at least be on the level of a NBA bench player. Some of the winners actually had that role before they went to the G League like Frank Mason or Lorenzo Brown. Lorenzo Brown is playing for the Spanish National team since 2022, was an All Tournament player when they won gold at the Eurobasket, but apparently he isn't good enough to be on an NBA bench^^.

In the meantime we have Keon Johnson playing 23 minutes each night averaging 10 points while shooting 37% from the field and 29% from 3, but man, he's really athletic and plays solid defense and every now and then he has a really nice game, if he figures it out one day we really have some nice asset him for the future, or at least until we fall in love with the next super raw, athletic 19 year old that we give 4 years to turn into a butterfly.

Lorenzo Brown is nowhere close to being one of the best players in the EuroLeague though. He's an average level EuroLeague player, and even giving him that might be a bit too generous.

He was definitely great when he played for Maccabi. This season it's not the case any more, but for a 34 year old I still think he's pretty good in a reduced role at Panathinaikos.

[Handlez]

It's an entertainment league, so absolutely.

And he's plenty skilled.

But maybe he makes money for the G League?

[GrindCityHustle]

Honestly he isn't NBA material but the league pushing him 3 dunk contests in row just seems odd. It feels like a low key troll I can't put my finger on. People want to see actual NBA stars dunking or at least a rotation player winning. People wants to rock jerseys of guys that play.

Like they are trying to push a suburban looking kid with his smaller than average NBA size/speed and are like "you can't be Steph or Lebron but you can jump over cars and be in the NBA spotlight".

He might be like IT and just wants to be on an NBA roster. Some players don't want to go overseas. I guess he feels like doing this dunk stuff will get him gm calls.

I wish him the best as he loves the game and works hard but the NBA don't want players like him as he can't get out on bad teams. I hope he can make some cash with some endorsement deals somehow from this if any else.

All that said he is probably better than a ton of bball players in the world but it ain't enough. I hope I am proven wrong.

[benson13]

no he doesn't and the NBA would not be better off with him playing

It would remind me of Tacko Fall, dude that just gets played at the end of games for fan service. The equivalent to a "circus performer" in the NBA, disgusting

I promise you those "circus performers" love every minute they get in garbage time.

[SkyBill40]

"Belong" is a bit of a hard case. Can he play at this level? Yeah. Is he a regular rotation player? No. But if Bronny James can somehow stick to a Lakers roster where he has no business being in the first place, I don't see why McClung can't do the same.

[Uncle Mxy]

How many people saying that McClung doesn't belong in the NBA have seen him play in a real game? I know that I haven't. I know that dunking All-Star performances, like garbage time, don't count as playing in real games.

[Sixers in 4]

If he were Black, no one would be making posts like this. The dude has worked hard and dominated the G League; he deserves a chance and a spot in the NBA.

Why don't you create a thread asking if LeBron's kid belongs in the NBA? How about Giannis's brother? Austin Rivers? Or why did LiAngelo receive a training camp offer from the Hornets? Not some dude who had to earn his way from the G-league to get a roster spot.

I mean, there's literally a "Bronny James official" thread, you think the majority of that is not people questioning why he's in the league? You don't think Liangelo, Rivers or Thannasis got plenty of threads of mainly haters taking cheap shots at them?

Why is there even a thread about McClung, I ask? He has earned his way back in the NBA. Will he stick? Perhaps, but perhaps not.

But does he belong in the NBA? To me that phrasing suggests that his return to the NBA was not something he earned. The racial undertones are difficult to overlook, and it is needlessly cruel for a man who literally worked his ass-off way back from the bottom of the G-league to get another chance.

Especially since there have been NBA players who were only chosen because of their family and last name, and hardly anyone seems to give a damn.

[Prince187]

Honestly he isn't NBA material but the league pushing him 3 dunk contests in row just seems odd. It feels like a low key troll I can't put my finger on. People want to see actual NBA stars dunking or at least a rotation player winning. People wants to rock jerseys of guys that play.

Like they are trying to push a suburban looking kid with his smaller than average NBA size/speed and are like "you can't be Steph or Lebron but you can jump over cars and be in the NBA spotlight".

He might be like IT and just wants to be on an NBA roster. Some players don't want to go overseas. I guess he feels like doing this dunk stuff will get him gm calls.

I wish him the best as he loves the game and works hard but the NBA don't want players like him as he can't get out on bad teams. I hope he can make some cash with some endorsement deals somehow from this if any else.

All that said he is probably better than a ton of bball players in the world but it ain't enough. I hope I am proven wrong.

He’s 6’2, which is the average for a point guard, and he’s literally one of the fastest and most athletic players in the league.

[Loneshot]

In a league that mostly cares about marketing and ratings, Mac should definitely be on an NBA team. The NBA has too much gate keeping, it's why everyone plays the same way. The NBA lacks personality and outside of a handful of teams, it feels like the owners are just happy to own a team.

[Prince187]

How many people saying that McClung doesn't belong in the NBA have seen him play in a real game? I know that I haven't. I know that dunking All-Star performances, like garbage time, don't count as playing in real games.

Of course none of them have seen him play. They’re just regurgitating what others, who’ve also probably never seen him player either, have said.

Here’s Mac playing against NBA players and putting up 20/9/9 on 8/17 shooting. How many players do that in basically their first NBA game ever?

Watch on YouTube

[Black Jack]

So why do you think he's not in the NBA? NBA can definitely make more money and market him more if he was in the league.

Looks like it's lackluster shooting %?

guard competition to make nba rosters is insanely tough.

[axeman23]

If he were Black, no one would be making posts like this. The dude has worked hard and dominated the G League; he deserves a chance and a spot in the NBA.

Why don't you create a thread asking if LeBron's kid belongs in the NBA? How about Giannis's brother? Austin Rivers? Or why did LiAngelo receive a training camp offer from the Hornets? Not some dude who had to earn his way from the G-league to get a roster spot.

I mean, there's literally a "Bronny James official" thread, you think the majority of that is not people questioning why he's in the league? You don't think Liangelo, Rivers or Thannasis got plenty of threads of mainly haters taking cheap shots at them?

Why is there even a thread about McClung, I ask? He has earned his way back in the NBA. Will he stick? Perhaps, but perhaps not.

But does he belong in the NBA? To me that phrasing suggests that his return to the NBA was not something he earned. The racial undertones are difficult to overlook, and it is needlessly cruel for a man who literally worked his ass-off way back from the bottom of the G-league to get another chance.

Especially since there have been NBA players who were only chosen because of their family and last name, and hardly anyone seems to give a damn.

I mean, your argument's already changed from "where are the threads about player X,Y,Z belonging in the NBA?", to "So, why is there even a thread on Mac? It's INSULTING!", when the thread starter in THIS case (and NOT very much in the OTHER cases you brought up, btw...) started it because they felt he DID belong in the league. So I don't really get why your "racist undertone spidey senses" are really tingling, tbh. And I'm a white Australian. As far as Mac "working his ass off", is it your belief then, that every BLACK G-league player is NOT working their ass off, and is just coasting by on natural talent and athletic ability"? Gee, sounds kinda racist... haha

[og15]

He's shooting 40%FG and 25% from 3 in the G League as a 6'2 guard with 4.7ast vs 3.7to.

No, he does not belong in the NBA.

Those are probably tip off tournament stats, seems like based on stats, tip off tournament is tougher than the regular season.

Bronny had terrible tip off tournament stats and much better regular season G-League stats so far.

[Sixers in 4]

I mean, there's literally a "Bronny James official" thread, you think the majority of that is not people questioning why he's in the league? You don't think Liangelo, Rivers or Thannasis got plenty of threads of mainly haters taking cheap shots at them?

Why is there even a thread about McClung, I ask? He has earned his way back in the NBA. Will he stick? Perhaps, but perhaps not.

But does he belong in the NBA? To me that phrasing suggests that his return to the NBA was not something he earned. The racial undertones are difficult to overlook, and it is needlessly cruel for a man who literally worked his ass-off way back from the bottom of the G-league to get another chance.

Especially since there have been NBA players who were only chosen because of their family and last name, and hardly anyone seems to give a damn.

I mean, your argument's already changed from "where are the threads about player X,Y,Z belonging in the NBA?", to "So, why is there even a thread on Mac? It's INSULTING!", when the thread starter in THIS case (and NOT very much in the OTHER cases you brought up, btw...) started it because they felt he DID belong in the league. So I don't really get why your "racist undertone spidey senses" are really tingling, tbh. And I'm a white Australian. As far as Mac "working his ass off", is it your belief then, that every BLACK G-league player is NOT working their ass off, and is just coasting by on natural talent and athletic ability"? Gee, sounds kinda racist... haha

In my opinion, the NBA is mostly merit-based, so no, I would not start a discussion about whether a black fringe roster player "belongs" in the league on the GB unless there would be a reason for it, like being LeBron's son or Giannis's brother or getting a tryout because your brother asked for it. It is also kind of weird to care about his career, like it is personal; why care if McClung is not on the team you support?

Normally, I am not interested in who other teams choose to fill the back end of their depth chart, and I don't care about your race. I mean I'll just come out and ask the question why does it bother people that McClung is in the league and being given another opportunity? Like he put in the work and paid his dues in the G-league for this shot. Why does it bother you someone is being given an opportunity they have earned? If it's not race then what is it because I don't really understand.

[Bergmaniac]

How many people saying that McClung doesn't belong in the NBA have seen him play in a real game? I know that I haven't. I know that dunking All-Star performances, like garbage time, don't count as playing in real games.

Of course none of them have seen him play. They’re just regurgitating what others, who’ve also probably never seen him player either, have said.

Here’s Mac playing against NBA players and putting up 20/9/9 on 8/17 shooting. How many players do that in basically their first NBA game ever?

Watch on YouTube

This was the last game of the season, both teams had nothing to play for and the Nets played Cam Thomas and the 34 year old Patty Mills as their guard pairing for moat of the game. It was still a nice debut, obviously, but far from a proof that he "belongs in the NBA" and can have an impact in games that matter.

[Prince187]

How many people saying that McClung doesn't belong in the NBA have seen him play in a real game? I know that I haven't. I know that dunking All-Star performances, like garbage time, don't count as playing in real games.

Of course none of them have seen him play. They’re just regurgitating what others, who’ve also probably never seen him player either, have said.

Here’s Mac playing against NBA players and putting up 20/9/9 on 8/17 shooting. How many players do that in basically their first NBA game ever?

Watch on YouTube

This was the last game of the season, both teams had nothing to play for and the Nets played Cam Thomas and the 34 year old Patty Mills as their guard pairing for moat of the game. It was still a nice debut, obviously, but far from a proof that he "belongs in the NBA" and can have an impact in games that matter.

Sure the two organizations didn’t really care about winning but the guys on the court definitely did. They’re the most motivated kind of players, the ones who don’t have generation wealth and are playing for new contracts or to just stick around in the league. But they’re still NBA players and Mac proved that night that he could play at a high level against other NBA players and just g leaguers. No one here is calling for him to be a starting pg but for him not to be somewhere at the end of a rotation is inexcusable