{"id":1457,"date":"2022-12-29T21:32:33","date_gmt":"2022-12-29T21:32:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/29\/mac-mcclung-talks-g-league-journey-nba-experience-slam\/"},"modified":"2022-12-29T21:32:33","modified_gmt":"2022-12-29T21:32:33","slug":"mac-mcclung-talks-g-league-journey-nba-experience-slam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2022\/12\/29\/mac-mcclung-talks-g-league-journey-nba-experience-slam\/","title":{"rendered":"Mac McClung Talks G League Journey, NBA Experience | SLAM"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"ad-disqus\">\n<p>Since his professional career began a little over a year ago, Mac McClung has lived in five different cities and played for six different teams. He\u2019s jumped from one coast to the other, from the G League to the NBA, from a starter to a backup.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been crazy, but that\u2019s how the game goes,\u201d McClung said in an episode of \u201cThe Break,\u201d an original series produced by the G League. \u201cIf I got to play for all 30 [teams] to make it, I\u2019m going to play for all 30.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\">\n<p>\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"The Break Presented by The General: Episode 2 - Mac McClung\" width=\"696\" height=\"392\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/bv1o9azf9Io?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p>Life on the fringes of the NBA is often a roller coaster. And even for a former\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=1eXSWMmdanI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">high school superstar and social media sensation<\/a>\u00a0like McClung, the spotlight doesn\u2019t shine very bright in the G. Nonetheless, the 6-2 guard out of Texas Tech has quietly been making big strides.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After going undrafted in 2021, McClung eventually landed with the South Bay Lakers, the affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 19.6 points, 5.8 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals through the first 13 games of the season before being called up by the Chicago Bulls in mid-December. Hundreds of players entered COVID-19 protocols that month, which led to an unprecedented number of opportunities for G Leaguers. McClung signed a 10-day contract with the Bulls and made his NBA debut almost exactly a year ago (2 points in 3 minutes against the Hawks). Chicago gave him a second 10-day, but McClung did not receive any more playing time, and returned to the South Bay Lakers in January.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>First known for his jaw-dropping dunks, the 23-year-old has shown his versatility as a pro. Back with South Bay, he averaged 21.6 points, 7.5 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, winning the\u00a02021-22 Kia NBA G League Rookie\u00a0Year award (previous winners include Paul Reed, Quinn Cook, Tim Frazier, and Robert Covington). In April, Los Angeles rewarded McClung with a two-way contract and brought him up for the final game of the regular season. He capped a solid performance (and a Lakers victory) that evening with one of those signature jaw-dropping dunks\u2026<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"\/>\n<p>Despite a successful, albeit hectic, rookie year, and an impressive showing at 2022 Summer League, McClung did not make an opening day roster. He turned down million-dollar offers from clubs overseas, instead opting to rejoin the G League and keep chasing his NBA dream. As a member of the Delaware Blue Coats, the affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, McClung has thrived in various roles this season. He dropped a career-high 44 points in November and notched his second career triple-double (21 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) shortly after. On some nights, he\u2019s provided a much-needed scoring spark off the bench; on others, he\u2019s been the Blue Coats\u2019 primary playmaker, running the offense and facilitating for his teammates.<\/p>\n<p>SLAM caught up with McClung during the recent G League Winter Showcase in Las Vegas. Delaware won both of their games at the annual scouting event, with McClung averaging 12.5 points (on 59 percent shooting), 7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n<p><strong>SLAM: What was your mindset heading into the Showcase?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Mac McClung:\u00a0<\/strong>Just to make the most of whatever my role is for the team. We won, 2-0, that\u2019s always great. Wish we were in the winner\u2019s bracket. But yeah, just make the most of it. Show that I can fit in in any situation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: How are you a different player this season compared to last season?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:<\/strong>\u00a0I think I just became better at adapting to situations. I feel like if you\u2019ve seen this year, I\u2019ve played multiple different roles for this team. And I feel like I\u2019ve been a positive influence in each and hopefully people notice that and notice that I can adapt to any situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><\/figure>\n<p><strong>SLAM: Is there anything specific that you worked on this summer?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>Really just film work on patience. When your minutes get cut or something, people often want to force things. I kind of learned to [hold] that back and also just play the game the right way no matter what the situation is, which sounds easy but it\u2019s harder than it sounds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: Can you sum up what this past year has been like for you, with all the movement up and down and to different teams\/cities?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u2019s been a rollercoaster, if you let it be. That\u2019s one thing I was talking to my parents about. If you let success determine your happiness, it\u2019ll just be a rollercoaster, instead of just buying into each day and the process. That\u2019s one thing I\u2019ve done. And I\u2019m doing what I love every day. Me getting better every single day is my goal\u2014not [moving] up and down [from the NBA]. So when I have that time, hopefully I can capture it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: Any specific moments that encapsulate just how chaotic last season was for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>If you look at the whole situation, I\u2019ve changed multiple teams. Other teams picked me up. Here, in [Las Vegas] Summer League, I ended up with the Warriors, when I started with the Lakers. It\u2019s just being able to adapt, man. That\u2019s just the League. You\u2019ve got to control what you can. I can\u2019t control what team I\u2019m playing on or if someone wants to give me an opportunity. I just always stay ready.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: Can you describe your thought process when you were deciding whether to rejoin the G League or sign with a team overseas?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:<\/strong>\u00a0I\u2019ll shout out my best friend, Zac Ervin. I was offered quite a bit of money to go overseas\u2014like, probably I could change my life with that money. I always tell myself I\u2019m going to stick it through until I make it [to the NBA], because I believe in myself. And you get offered that stuff and you\u2019re like,\u00a0<em>Oh, man<\/em>. That changes. But my boy Zac was like, \u201cMan, that\u2019s not who you are.\u201d Because we worked out every day from seventh grade to senior year. Every single day. He was like, \u201cMan, you weren\u2019t in the gym for that.\u201d So I\u2019m like,\u00a0<em>Damn, that\u2019s not who I am. Let me get it while I\u2019m here.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: How was your brief experience in the NBA last year beneficial? What did you take away from it?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s good just seeing it and learning. I think that\u2019s the biggest thing\u2014experience. When it comes to growing, people talk about, you can work on certain things, but experience is so valuable, man. Being there before is valuable. I got to touch the NBA a little bit and I got those nerves out, those jitters, and I got to see what it\u2019s about. And I\u2019m ready whenever my next opportunity comes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-769714 lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-1620x1080.jpg 1620w, https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/d1l5jyrrh5eluf.cloudfront.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/GettyImages-1245217564-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\"\/><\/figure>\n<p><strong>SLAM: What can you provide an NBA team right now?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>Multiple things\u2014that\u2019s what I\u2019m trying to show. I\u2019m diverse. If you need me to come and be a point guard off the bench and get others involved, I can do that. If you need me to score, I can score. I\u2019m going to be active\u2014I\u2019m going to be rebounding, diving on the floor, just [providing] energy in any way you want me to.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: What\u2019s the biggest misconception about your game?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>When I was in college, I wasn\u2019t much of a point guard. But I think if you watch these games, I really get my teammates involved.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: What\u2019s the biggest misconception about life in the G League?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:\u00a0<\/strong>People just don\u2019t understand how lonely it is, I don\u2019t think. It\u2019s not easy. Andre Ingram told me, \u201cEvery five days, something changes.\u201d In the G League, something is changing every five days.<\/p>\n<p><strong>SLAM: What are your overall goals for this season?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>MM:<\/strong>\u00a0Just to keep growing each day, man. I want to play in the NBA. I believe I\u2019m an NBA player. But that will come when I keep working on each day, trying to grow each day.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>Photos via Getty Images. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script>\n    ! function(f, b, e, v, n, t, s) {\n        if (f.fbq) return;\n        n = f.fbq = function() {\n            n.callMethod ?\n                n.callMethod.apply(n, arguments) : n.queue.push(arguments)\n        };\n        if (!f._fbq) f._fbq = n;\n        n.push = n;\n        n.loaded = !0;\n        n.version = '2.0';\n        n.queue = [];\n        t = b.createElement(e);\n        t.async = !0;\n        t.src = v;\n        s = b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n        s.parentNode.insertBefore(t, s)\n    }(window, document, 'script',\n        'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n    fbq('init', '166515104100547');\n    fbq('track', 'PageView');\n    <\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.slamonline.com\/nba\/mac-mcclung-g-league\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Since his professional career began a little over a year ago, Mac McClung has lived in five different cities and played for six different teams. He\u2019s jumped from one coast to the other, from the G League to the NBA, from a starter to a backup. \u201cIt\u2019s been crazy, but that\u2019s how the game goes,\u201d [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1457"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1457"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1457\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}