James Michael McAdoo Leaves An Impression Against Hornets (Photo: Ryan Brown / LetsGoWarriors.com)
The highlight of the day was a dunk over No. 9 overall pick Noah Vonleh, but JamesMichael McAdoo showed he wasn’t just flash in the Golden State Warriors 70-58 Summer League win over the Charlotte Hornets in Las Vegas.
The former North Carolina Tarheel, who went undrafted this summer, had 11 points and 3 rebounds while severely outplaying Vonleh, who didn’t score a single point in 32 minutes (0-13 FG).
At 6’9″ and a 230 pounds with a wingspan longer than 7’2″ according to DraftExpress, McAdoo is physically ready for the NBA, and used his strength, length and athleticism to his advantage against the Hornets.
McAdoo played, hounding, physical defense against the Hornets, showing an ability to double and switch onto the ball-handler in pick and roll situations.
The entire Warriors team was committed defensively, and McAdoo was a big reason they were able to hold Charlotte to 28.2 percent field goal shooting as a team.
That’s a far cry from what was written about him a year and a half ago in a TheBlackFalcon.net scouting report.
“McAdoo showed some flashes at the end of last season, but I’m not as high on him as most… He just looks lost most of the time, and doesn’t play with as much aggression as I’d like on either end of the floor. It seems that his confidence can easily be shaken.”
The rookie forward still has some room to grow offensively. His jump shot has been below average since he arrived at UNC as a top-5 prospect in the nation in 2011 and he didn’t hit a single three pointer in three college seasons (0-9).
The lack of a strong jump shot and awareness caused McAdoo’s draft stock fall tremendously, so far that he’s gone from potential lottery pick to being an undrafted free agent.
But he has shown improvement each year in FG% and last season especially, an ability to get in the paint and draw fouls. In his junior season, McAdoo attempted just 11.1 field goals per game, to 7.6 free throws.
He only shot 56.9% from the line, but clearly there’s a use for him in the NBA game, where there’s often more lanes to get to the rim because of the defensive 3-second rule.
Here’s what Steve Kerr had to say about McAdoo on Thursday before Summer League games began (from Rusty Simmons of the SF Chronicle):
“He’s quick,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s a quick jumper, active and smart. He picks up concepts very well. He has a chance to be a player in this league.”
McAdoo was a freshman during Harrison Barnes sophomore season at UNC, and Barnes has liked what he’s seen from his former Tar Heel teammate during summer league practice, which Barnes has taken part in.
“He’s definitely played really well so far. Definitely a lot of energy, he’s pretty athletic, so I’m excited to see him play tonight and try to just show people what he can do.
I think he’s demonstrated that he’s a very good rebounder… And he looks like he’s ready to be able to defend his position.”
While McAdoo might not be playing for a contract with the Warriors specifically, he is playing to make an NBA’s training camp with the possibility of making the roster during the regular season.
That team could be the Warriors, who have a little room between their current salary total and the luxury tax line. McAdoo could be an option at the rookie minimum, if he continues to show an improved game in Las Vegas.
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