| McCants Ready For Fresh Start Authored by Alex Kennedy - September 8, 2009 - 3:25 pm
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Prior to North Carolina's Alumni Game on Friday, McCants, who is just four years removed from his Tar Heel days, got choked up as highlights from the 2005 National Championship run poured onto the screen.
After all, these are some of the best basketball memories that the 24-year-old McCants has. His first four years in the NBA haven't gone exactly as planned after being a lottery selection by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2005.
McCants describes himself as “a winner” so the constant losing and rebuilding was a test for him. Surrounded mainly by other young players in the tough Western Conference, McCants’ two stops since being drafted haven’t given him much of a chance to showcase his talents.
“There are a lot of things that I can do that people haven’t seen yet because of the situations I’ve been in,” McCants told RealGM’s Alex Kennedy.
But McCants is an unrestricted free agent and is hoping to finally establish himself as a productive NBA player. He’ll likely do so as a member of the Denver Nuggets, Charlotte Bobcats, or Miami Heat, who have shown significant interest in the guard.
“I’ve talked with Charlotte and I’m working out with them on Monday. I worked out for Denver and I’m waiting on them and Miami has offered me a spot in training camp,” said McCants.
Signing with the Bobcats would not only mean a return to his home state of North Carolina, but a possible reunion with Raymond Felton. Assuming Felton gets a deal worked out with the Bobcats, he and McCants would be playing alongside each other for the first time since starring side by side for three years with the Heels. “Obviously Charlotte [is a front runner], because of everything and because there’s a chance to play there,” says McCants.
“Denver is also up there because of Coach [George] Karl and the chance to play for a contender,” said McCants.
Neither the Bobcats or Nuggets are set at shooting guard, so the opportunity to battle for minutes would be there for McCants. The one time he has averaged over twenty minutes per game in a season, in 2007 with Minnesota, McCants made the most of it putting up nearly 15 points per game. He was the second highest scorer on that team, behind Al Jefferson, despite only starting in 24 games.
When asked what he would tell to a team looking to acquire him, he doesn’t hesitate one bit. “I’m a winner. I know what it takes to win, I’m a great teammate, I’m coachable, and I play hard at both ends. I feel I have a tremendous scoring ability and I’m a great passer."
One thing is certain, each of these three teams will give McCants a fresh start and the opportunity to get his career back on track. He’ll be back to creating new memories, rather than just cherishing the old, in no time.
Question or comment? Alex Kennedy can be reached at swishkennedy@yahoo.com or via his Twitter (AlexKennedy23). |
