A Chance for Bo McCalebb at Point Guard? (video)
By Mike Garcia
Haven’t heard of the name? Don’t be surprised. However, he’s one of the best point guards in Europe today. He has been playing Turkey for several seasons.
James Herbert of CBSsports.com revealed there was interest from NBA teams since last June.
Bo McCalebb is open to exploring the NBA, his agent tells me. "He has skills to make an immediate NBA impact."
— David Pick (@IAmDPick) June 30, 2014
With Bo McCalebb now a free agent and NBA buyout fee gone, NBA teams have expressed interest, I've been told. Spent six seasons in Europe.
— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) June 30, 2014
It wasn’t that long ago when he had a strong showing against NBA competition. Just a couple of years back, his team played against the Boston Celtics in an exhibition game.
He showed excellent pick-and-roll execution. Not only was he able to take a pull up jumpshot from midrange over Kevin Garnett, but he also did a great job finding shooters along the perimeter. His best highlight occurs at 1:38, where the Celtics defended the pick-and-roll softly. He split the defense, drove hard to the basket, took contact from Brandon Bass, and finished with the And-1. Brandon Bass looks ashamed.
He finished with 21 points on 9 of 14 from the field, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 turnovers.
He has a knack for getting into the painted area. Yes, he needs a screen, but he’s quick with the basketball and has a strong upper body. He can absorb contact and finish at the rim with either hand.
DraftExpress has him listed at just over 5’10” with a 6’2″+ wingspan. What he lacks in size, he makes up for with moxie, quickness, and strength.
He’s incredibly explosive in the open floor as well. Once he sees an open lane, he looks forward to finishing with a slam dunk.
If there is a question mark, it’s his ability to create perimeter shots. While he’s great at getting to the rim, he has a flat-footed three-point shot.
He’s going to be asked a lot of defensively. He’s simply an undersized point guard. He has great scoring instincts, and that should allow him to play solid minutes at the NBA level.
The Lakers found a nugget in Kendall Marshall last season. He was a serviceable point guard that was excellent at distributing the basketball and adding three-point range. McCalebb’s strengths are in the painted area and pick-and-roll play.
If there was ever a time to get a basketball veteran into the NBA, now would be the time. He’s 29 years old and in his prime.