Ray McCallum Gives Spurs Stability, New Point Guard To Develop

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While most of you were sleeping Wednesday night, the San Antonio Spurs swung a trade for Sacramento Kings point guard Ray McCallum. A two-year veteran, McCallum showed after the All-Star break last year that he has the ability to play heavy minutes and run an offense, but his overall game is still a work in progress.

His overall averages last season were 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21.1 minutes while shooting .438 (206-470) from the field and .306 (34-111) three-point range. Those shooting numbers aren’t great and very much show the inconsistencies in McCallum’s game. His shot chart, courtesy of NBA.com, shows the problem areas. Shotchart_1436487099652

 

He especially struggled from midrange on out, something the Spurs coaching staff can work with him on. A little more than half of McCallum’s season was spent on the bench in limited minutes early in the season and that’s when McCallum really seemed to struggle.

Shotchart_1436487153167So much blood. Everything was good around the basket, but once he got out of the paint the bad shooting emerged. Part of this could be his playing time was so inconsistent he couldn’t ever find a rhythm (which is a problem that could continue in San Antonio). But the other problem may have been the lack of floor spacing that plagued the Kings all season long. If defenses are able to sag off the 3-point line in the half court, it makes things really difficult to get open looks anywhere else.

George Karl took over at the All-Star break, at the same time McCallum took over lead point guard duties due to the Collison injury. The Kings increased their pace slightly and their offensive rating also took a slight jump. McCallum had a lot to do with that and his offensive efficiency probably benefitted most from a quicker pace. His numbers rose significantly along with his minutes, averaging 11.3 points, 4.3 assists and 3.8 rebounds in the final 30 games of the season. The shooting also took a big leap. Shotchart_1436487168162

 

All of that looks much better, but while McCallum’s offense improved in the second half of the season, other parts of his game didn’t take a similar leap. His defensive rating more or less stayed the same, which is to say, terrible. McCallum has quick feet and is pretty athletic. However, he doesn’t have nearly the size Cory Joseph had, so when we talk about McCallum filling Joseph’s shoes, we’re talking about keeping the offense afloat on nights Parker needs rest or if he gets hurt. His defense can and probably will improve in the Spurs system, just don’t expect to see him playing any shooting guard unless something very bad has happened.

Overall, it’s a great move for the Spurs. McCallum is a coach’s soon with a high basketball IQ. He doesn’t really turn the ball over, which isn’t something many young point guards can say. He’s not being asked to take over for Tony Parker, he’s not even being asked to be the back up point guard immediately. Since the Spurs gave up a 2016 second round pick that will likely be 55-60, anything positive McCallum gives them is good enough and he has just enough potential to eventually become a valuable rotation player.

  • NYC

    WTH, Spurs??? I just ordered my Ridnour jersey. Arrgghhh. This McCallum kid better be good.
    *crossed arms emoji*

  • http://icarusburning.com/ Wes

    Yep, I was thinking Ridnour also.

  • Tyler

    He’s a legit NBA player. He’s a guy who does just about everything competently on offense (although he does need to improve from deep). And while his defensive #’s aren’t great, he competes on that end which leads me to believe he won’t be liability in time.

    And, as echoed in the piece, it was the Sacramento Kings. I take all McCallum’s numbers with a grain of salt.

  • DorieStreet

    Pedestrian journeyman career over a dozen seasons, with only 3 playoff years experience (the best being ousted in 2005 WC Semis 2-4 by the Spurs).
    Spurs probably banking on the younger McCallum, Jr. (just turned 24 a month ago) improving more than the older Ridnour (one month shy of 34 & 1/2) maintaining his limited contributions.

  • Riotsmoke

    The corner-3 numbers trouble me the most mainly because that’s where we’re gonna be looking for him to shoot outta set plays (hammer sets, pick and pop). But as you mentioned Tyler, it’s the Kings so it’s better not to look too much into it. I DO like the low turnovers though, and, from what I’ve seen in the videos, he’s able to take it into the paint and draw contact. Anyone have any numbers on his FT shooting?

  • DorieStreet

    For McCallum Jr.’s NBA career (two seasons, 113 games):
    FG% = .41; 3P% = .33; FT% = .70
    Chip Engelland tutelage sessions mandatory- and often — for the rest of the summer, and into the fall.

  • Tess

    If he can hit from the wings, he can surely learn to hit from the corners too, so it may simply be that he was taking contested shots. But since lots of guys can hit from the corners, it’s great to have guys — like Danny, for example — who can spot up on the wing and hit at at a solid rate.