Tag: Doug McDermott

Spurs’ Doug McDermott discusses shooter’s mindset: ‘Short-term memory’

At a recent youth basketball camp hosted by the San Antonio Spurs, Doug McDermott spoke to some campers about his shooter’s mindset.

[anyclip pubname=”2123″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8170″]

The San Antonio Spurs drafted Victor Wembanyama with the first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, so naturally, he has taken center stage in regard to the spotlight on the team. Everyone wants to know about his potential and how the Spurs plan to maximize it moving forward, and the Frenchman hasn’t even played an NBA game yet.

So far this summer, San Antonio has committed to their young core while also adding some veteran help. They also kept hold of many of their players from last year, including Doug McDermott, who should be a perfect complementary player next to Wembanyama thanks to his elite shooting.

At a recent youth basketball camp hosted by the Spurs, McDermott spoke to some campers about his shooter’s mindset. (H/t Matt Guzman of Inside the Spurs)

“Balance, short-term memory and … mindset,” McDermott told a fan. “It’s more of a mindset than anything. Balance and how quickly you can get it off.”

He also spoke about the game of percentages, noting that even if he misses a few in a row, he should be due to make one.

“We all deal with it,” McDermott said. “[But] you know you’re a good shooter, right? If you miss three or four in a row, the percentages are [likely] with you that you’ll make one, so I always keep that in my head. If I miss five in a row, I’m a 40 percent shooter, so eventually the numbers are going to even out. When you start changing things is when it’s going to go downhill.”

How well do you think McDermott will fit next to Wembanyama next year?

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Celtics should target two wings and a big for trades in the 2023 offseason in new analysis

For the Celtics and the analysts who cover it, it is never too early to try to think about the future structure of the ball club. 

Thinking about trades for the Boston Celtics before they even finish their postseason might seem a bit much for some fans, but for the organization and the analysts who cover it, it is never too early to think about the future structure of the club.

To such an end, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley assembled a trio of potential targets for the Celtics to consider pursuing via trade in the looming 2023 NBA offseason. Suggesting that until proven otherwise that Boston “could still be a player or two away from getting over the proverbial hump,” Buckley sees some frontcourt and wing players on other teams at present as potentially wise additions to the team’s roster.

Let’s take a look at that trio.

Mock trade has Nets trading Ben Simmons for Doug McDermott

A mock trade by Bleacher Report has the Nets being able to trade away Ben Simmons for a shooter in Doug McDermott.

The Brooklyn Nets have had a frustrating time trying to get something out of oft-injured guard Ben Simmons. Although Simmons came to Brooklyn already dealing with a back issue, the former LSU Tiger had his back issues flare up again as he is currently rehabbing from a nerve impingement in his back.

Brooklyn has been patient with Simmons as he tries to work his way through his injuries and lack of confidence to be the player that he was with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, another season has passed and Simmons is in the same place he has been for the past few seasons: rehabbing after a disappointing season.

Brooklyn was able to hang on to make the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference despite Simmons playing just 42 games. After the trade deadline, Simmons came off the bench as it seems that having him and Nic Claxton on the court at the same time isn’t the most viable option. Bleacher Report appears to provide a solution to Brooklyn if it decides to move on from Simmons:

Two centers, forward proposed by Bleacher Report as Boston Celtics trade targets

Do any of this trio of players make sense for Boston to pursue?

The 2023 NBA trade deadline is inching ever closer, producing a wave of projections about what the NBA’s 30 ball clubs might look to do by the end of the business day on Feb. 9. Included among them are projections about the Boston Celtics’ potential trade targets such as a recent article by Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley.

In Buckley’s piece, the Celtics are encouraged to look at a trio of potential trade targets who might address concerns the team is reportedly looking to fix in their frontcourt rotation and on the wing. To such an end, the B/R analyst identifies two centers and a forward that might be what Boston needs.

Let’s take a look at the candidates.

Lakers made Russell Westbrook trade proposal to Spurs before season

A trade offer that would’ve given the Lakers two very good 3-point shooting wings for Russell Westbrook was rejected by the Spurs.

Since at least January, Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook has been constantly involved in trade rumors.

Even though he’s been playing better off the bench in recent weeks, there is still a real possibility L.A. will end up shipping him out within the next couple of months, mostly because it is starving for viable wing depth and he is likely its best trade asset.

If nothing else, his $47 million expiring contract could give some team massive salary cap relief, even if it opts to buy him out upon acquiring him.

The San Antonio Spurs are one potential trade partner that has been mentioned. In fact, the Lakers reportedly made a solid trade offer to them, only to get rejected.

Via HoopsHype:

“Before the season, the Lakers offered a lottery-protected first-round pick and Russell Westbrook to the Spurs for Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott, HoopsHype has learned. The Spurs, however, wanted an unprotected first-round pick for taking on Westbrook’s salary with the expectation he’d be waived, which the Lakers were unwilling to do, and talks stalled.”

Draft capital has reportedly been a sticking point for L.A. in multiple trade proposals. The team understandably doesn’t want to part with too many future draft picks, particularly if it would only be taking back role players.

In the end, absent some silver bullet offer, a return such as Richardson and McDermott, both of whom would greatly help the Lakers with their poor 3-point shooting, is likely the best they could hope for. In such a case, executive Rob Pelinka may have to relent a bit on his reluctance to include enough draft capital.

[mm-video type=video id=01gj6bsr4ayepkfbqnez playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gj6bsr4ayepkfbqnez/01gj6bsr4ayepkfbqnez-5ecd3af1ef38ee0d650f30a6a59ef361.jpg]

[listicle id=87668]

Lakers want to trade for Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott

Despite Russell Westbrook’s improved play of late, the Lakers still have some interest in trading him to improve the rest of their team.

Russell Westbrook has experienced a mini-turnaround over the past week or so.

He has come off the bench over the last five games, and in that span he has played excellent ball, averaging 18.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game while shooting 50% overall and an incredible 45.5% from 3-point range.

Westbrook, who has been a pariah in Lakers land for the past year or so, has even garnered some MVP chants while shooting free throws in the team’s last two games.

But the trade rumors involving him haven’t ended, and there is still a real chance the Lakers will jettison him before the trading deadline.

There seems to be a potential trade with the San Antonio Spurs they’re exploring.

Via Lakers Daily:

“One report indicates that Los Angeles has targeted Josh Richardson and Doug McDermott in a trade that would send Westbrook to the San Antonio Spurs. However, it doesn’t sound like L.A. is willing to part with much draft capital in such a deal, so talks haven’t gained traction.

“‘According to a source, the Los Angeles Lakers have targeted Richardson and McDermott in a trade that would involve Russell Westbrook,’ wrote LJ Ellis of SpursTalk. ‘However, talks haven’t gained traction because the Lakers are only willing to relinquish a pair of second-round picks in return for both players.'”

Richardson would give L.A. a capable 3-and-D wing who can swing between the 2 and 3 positions, while McDermott would slide into its frightfully weak backup 4 slot and give it some much-needed 3-point shooting.

The Lakers likely will not pull the trigger on any trade, if there is a trade to be made, until at least Thanksgiving.

[mm-video type=video id=01gggcmxn5bk7s5z3rms playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gggcmxn5bk7s5z3rms/01gggcmxn5bk7s5z3rms-c7008615fd5c894f63e2076cfe2c9eec.jpg]

[listicle id=87258]

Devin Vassell, Spurs explain how they contained talented Sixers guards

Devin Vassell and the San Antonio Spurs explain how they contained the talented guards for the Philadelphia 76ers.

PHILADELPHIA–The Philadelphia 76ers were not able to come up with their first win on the season on Saturday as they fell to the San Antonio Spurs at home 114-105. It seemed like it was the best chance for the Sixers to get in the win column, but the Spurs denied their efforts.

James Harden had a near triple-double and he did a good job of setting up his teammates, but he shot 4-for-18 and Tyrese Maxey was 8-for-18. Neither of them were really able to get into the paint as the Spurs have a lot of length out on the perimeter led by Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Josh Richardson. When they did get into the paint, they were met by hulking Jakob Poeltl so it was just a tough night.

Afterward, Vassell and the Spurs explained their success:

The three players the Spurs could be offering for Russell Westbrook

The Spurs are reportedly offering the Lakers an interesting package for Russell Westbrook.

According to multiple reports, if the Los Angeles Lakers are to trade Russell Westbrook soon, their most likely trade partners would be the Utah Jazz or the Indiana Pacers.

However, a new potential option has recently emerged: the San Antonio Spurs.

They are in rebuilding or even tanking mode after trading Dejounte Murray earlier this summer, and they reportedly may be open to taking Westbrook off the Lakers’ hands.

According to one report, they may offer Los Angeles forward Doug McDermott, swingman Josh Richardson and center Jakob Poeltl.

Via Lakers Daily:

“The San Antonio Spurs were recently floated as a team that is still open to trading for Westbrook, and Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune recently added a little fuel to the fire.

“‘Complicating matters, though, is that the [Utah] Jazz might not be the only team willing to take on Westbrook’s contract in order to get those picks,’ wrote Larsen. ‘Indiana and San Antonio have also expressed that interest, per multiple media reports. The [Indiana] Pacers could trade Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, while the Spurs could move along Doug McDermott, Josh Richardson, and/or former Ute Jakob Poeltl.'”

[pickup_prop id=”21273″]

The picks mentioned in the report are the Lakers’ 2027 and 2029 first-round draft picks, which seem to be a prerequisite to any potential Westbrook deal.

It is questionable whether those three players would move the needle for the Lakers or help provide the missing pieces for them.

While Poeltl is a very solid young center, they may not need more help at that position, as Thomas Bryant, Damian Jones and Anthony Davis look like a very adequate rotation at the 5. Meanwhile, McDermott is a very dependable 3-point shooter, but he is a poor defender, and at 6-foot-7, he lacks the height to keep up with opposing power forwards.

Richardson, on the other hand, is a 6-foot-5 3-and-D wing who could fit nicely into head coach Darvin Ham’s plans. He shot 41.5 percent from downtown last season and can play both the 2 and 3.

[mm-video type=video id=01gd1e4mnmhz3qz8n0t7 playlist_id=01f09kz5ecxq9bp57b player_id=01f5k5xtr64thj7fw2 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01gd1e4mnmhz3qz8n0t7/01gd1e4mnmhz3qz8n0t7-38c546a77fd4e142effefacfb34d107f.jpg]

[listicle id=85783]

Three potential trade targets for the Boston Celtics who might be available after 12/15

This trio of trade targets make sense for the Celtics in the right deal, and could be on the move come December 15 onward.

December 15th signals the beginning of the 2021-22 NBA season trading in earnest, with a number of players signed over the summer beginning to become available to trade.

And the Boston Celtics are almost certain to make some moves around the margins even if a big splash of a trade is not a slam-dunk to go down for the team before the trade deadline rolls around in February. Our sister site HoopsHype put together a recent podcast that saw Yossi Gozlan and Michael Scotto outline a number of likely candidates to be on the move, and a trio of them might make sense for Boston to make a call about.

Let’s take a look at the three players who might conceivably be worth looking into for the Celtics in mid-December.

3 observations: Pacers use 3-pointers to knock off Sixers at home

The shorthanded Indiana Pacers use the power of the 3-point shot to knock off the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.

The Philadelphia 76ers began the final week of the season on the road taking on the Indiana Pacers and they had a goal in their mind and that was to clinch the No. 1 seed in the East. The job was tough as they were missing Joel Embiid as well as three key bench pieces and it proved to be too much to overcome.

Indiana, who was equally as shorthanded, used a scrappy effort and a bunch of 3-pointers to knock off the Sixers at home 103-94. The Pacers were led by Doug McDermott who shot 4-for-10 from deep and 20 points and Domantas Sabonis had 16 points, 15 assists, and 13 rebounds.

Philadelphia was led by Tobias Harris with 27 points and five rebounds, Ben Simmons returned to the lineup and had 20 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists, Tyrese Maxey had 11 off the bench, and Seth Curry had 10.

Here are the observations following a tough loss: