Dominic McGuire appreciation thread

[doclinkin]

As the Herald of the Dominator I figure I might as well get another jump on the as yet unearned praise for the future phenom.

From Wiretap:

"I have been working hard. I started going to the gym to workout two times a day this summer. I have been focused and have been working on what the coaching staff told me to work on during our exit meetings last season," McGuire said Sunday. "They told me I needed to work on my mid-range game and to be more professional. I think those are the biggest things that are showing now."

He also claims it has helped that he's going against a player like Caron Butler in practice.

"It helps me a lot," McGuire added. "I am going against an All-Star everyday on the offensive and defensive end. You can’t help but get better. He shows me a lot off of the court as well. I also try to take things from Antawn. I watch his professionalism and how he handles himself off the court."

Live Wire Dom McGuire, I expect big things from the kid this year.

[BigA]

I'll drink to that. I remember that Boston game last year when Dominic had a bunch of offensive rebounds to seal the win. He's very athletic. He'll really add value once other teams have to account for him on the offensive end.

[MJG]

I've actually been thinking that McGuire is going to be our surprise player this year. No, he isn't going to be blowing people away or anything. But when Caron gets injured, I think he'll step up and surprise people with how well he fills in. And after that, he may steal away a few regular rotation minutes from other guys.

Okay, I'm not exactly setting the bar that high. But I do think he'll jump over that bar, so that's something.

[closg00]

Reason for optimism, i hope his hard work translates into productivity on the court.

[clubbing_caveman]

I'll be looking for that improvement in our first pre-season game. His D and rebounding will keep him in the league, I think. Adding that mid-range jumper which, hopefully, he will not hesitate to shoot, is great.

[doclinkin]

Official video interview of Dom in training camp.

Also:

KC Jones, who played with Bill Russell says really nice things about Andray Blatche.

[doclinkin]

Bump for Dom as a starter, consummate role-player.

[Ruzious]

Best game of the year for someone who didn't score?

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

I've actually been thinking that McGuire is going to be our surprise player this year. No, he isn't going to be blowing people away or anything. But when Caron gets injured, I think he'll step up and surprise people with how well he fills in. And after that, he may steal away a few regular rotation minutes from other guys.

Okay, I'm not exactly setting the bar that high. But I do think he'll jump over that bar, so that's something.

Props to MJG on that call.

[nate33]

Bump for Dom as a starter, consummate role-player.

I was thinking about this today before the Houston game. With Dominic replacing Stevenson, we are suddenly a much bigger team. Think about it. Arenas is bigger and stronger than most PG's. Butler is bigger and stronger than nearly all shooting guards. DMac is as big as most SF's and a better rebounder than almost all of them. Jamison is small but rebounds at an average rate. Haywood is bigger than most centers.

It's amazing how one move can transform us from being undersized at nearly every position to being big at nearly all positions.

[crackhed]

kudos to tapscott for recognizing and rewarding a player who plays without fear and brings it every night.

[yungal07]

Hopefully, our shooting coaches are working with DM to make him a better shooter. He needs to develop a semi-reliable jumper to really be a player I'd invest in.

[adarsh1]

If he develops a solid three point shot, he could be better than Bruce Bowen.

[spaceman_E]

Dom, I love your game. Keep working on that jumper, always finish strong, and you will be a key part of our future.

[spaceman_E]

BTW Adarsh1, I think it's time to update that sig

[closg00]

This type of development NEVER would have happened under EFJ, glad to see it happening.

[nate33]

In the past 22 years (as far as basketballreference.com's database goes back), only 13 times has a player managed to grab 7 or more boards and 6 or more assists without scoring a point. McGuire is the first player to manage 7+ boards, 6+ assists and 4+ blocks with 0 points.

[MJG]

I've actually been thinking that McGuire is going to be our surprise player this year. No, he isn't going to be blowing people away or anything. But when Caron gets injured, I think he'll step up and surprise people with how well he fills in. And after that, he may steal away a few regular rotation minutes from other guys.

Okay, I'm not exactly setting the bar that high. But I do think he'll jump over that bar, so that's something.

Props to MJG on that call.

Ha, that may be the closest thing to an accurate prediction I've ever had. But he's doing much more than even I guessed. He's not just playing well enough to earn regular rotation minutes; assuming he can keep it up, he's entrenching himself into the starting role, which is just an amazing thing that nobody ever would have guessed.

[Ruzious]

In the past 22 years (as far as basketballreference.com's database goes back), only 13 times has a player managed to grab 7 or more boards and 6 or more assists without scoring a point. McGuire is the first player to manage 7+ boards, 6+ assists and 4+ blocks with 0 points.

Pretty amazing. He's the anti-Nick - even though they're best friends. (Sorry for the Young cheap-shot. I couldn't help it.)

[ZonkertheBrainless]

Yay Dmac!

The NBA baffles me. That's what I love about it. You can have a completely unorthodox game and be successful doing whatever it is that you do. McHale. Rodman. Bowen. Isn't basketball great? It's such a beautiful and versatile game that you can bring all sorts of different things to the table and be successful. It's like life.