Jordan McRae: What Would He Bring To Philadelphia 76ers?

When Sam Hinkie is not bringing in talent filled with upside to his organization through the draft, he is stashing them throughout the globe with the intention of utilizing their talents in the future. Jordan McRae is just one international standout who could impact the Philadelphia 76ers in their rebuild.

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After leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the NCAA tournament his senior year to the tune of 18.7 points per game, McRae heard his name called in the 2014 NBA Draft. With the No. 58 overall pick, the San Antonio Spurs drafted the college standout only to trade his rights to a team that could give him more of an opportunity.

Philadelphia witnessed what the shooting guard offered as a scoring threat in the 2014 Summer League. The 23-year-old shined and led the team by averaging 21.0 points in four games. Following the impressive showing, he earned a contract with Melbourne United of the National Basketball League.

The production output continued for McRae overseas averaging 19.9 points, 4.7 boards, and 2.7 assists per game in a newfound environment and experience. Under team control, the Sixers D-League affiliate Delaware 87ers signed McRae on March 5, per their website.

The change in scenery and competition had McRae focusing on what the new league presented:

"“Going from Australia to the D-League, first couple of games, I just had to adjust to the speed and how athletic the guys were,” said McRae in an interview with knoxnews.com. “It was and adjustment. It was kind of like being in college again for the first time"

He brought the scoring prowess back to the states dropping a professional career-high 39 points March 22 against the Oklahoma City Blue. While he didn’t get the anticipated call up to the Sixers to conclude the season, he will perform once again in the summer league looking to show out. Here is what he offers if given an opportunity to play in the City of Brotherly Love .

Physical Makeup

McRae plays with a lanky 6’6″, 185-pound frame and can get shots off from the perimeter over defenders. He overmatched man defenses overseas, but his rail-thin frame doesn’t project to be a plus asset at the next level. McRae showed glimpses of athletic ability completing alley oops and finishing at the basket after blowing by his man off the dribble.

He doesn’t show the ideal explosion or quickness you’d like to see out of a wing, but McRae can transition down the floor on fast breaks and possesses some line drive burst.

Offense

McRae’s calling card to earn a spot on the Sixers is his shooting potential. His versatile offensive arsenal will allow McRae to handle multiple looks from the field. The Sixers run pick and roll for days and McRae thrives attacking defensive miscues.

McRae is by no means an assassin from deep, but his length and simple stroke play into his ability as a competent marksman from the perimeter. With both Robert Covington and Hollis Thompson serving as the team’s primary gunners from the outside, McRae can operate in more of a scorers role than his previous do-it-all mentality.

He has the ability to create his own shot, something Covington and Thompson currently lack in their game. McRae’s mid-range game is going to be vital on the Sixers who need versatile wings. If he can get to the basket like she’s shown and can knock down the occasional three, McRae will get ample opportunities this season.

He attacks defenders getting to the hole and finishes strong with contact, despite his lanky frame. While his finishing ability translated to points in the paint on film, McRae will have to bulk up in order for continuous success against bigger guards or wings.

He decreased his turnover percentage every year in college, per sports-reference.com, but doesn’t project to have the same usage rating in Philly as he did the past two seasons. He has playmaking traits as a wing, evident by his productive assist total overseas and in his senior year at Tennessee. McRae is constantly engaged with the ball and can find teammates in ideal situations to score.

The guard suffers from a hubris that plagues high volume shooters in today’s game. In other words, McRae’s shot selection is highly questionable due to his belief in his shooting ability. He takes contested looks from the outside instead of finding a teammate or taking his defender to the paint.

The Sixers rarely take poor percentage shots and head coach Brett Brown preaches smart and efficient basketball.

Defense

McRae will never be confused with Tony Allen or Bruce Bowen on the perimeter. However, his length and effort allows McRae to handle smaller guards and lock down on the perimeter at times.

He has fluid lateral movement and challenges penetration using his frame. McRae will struggle with bigger guards at the next level on line drives to the paint, however. In relation, shooting guard JaKarr Sampson has more than 20 pounds on McRae and showed instances of shutdown ability due to his frame.

McRae offers some defensive potential in terms of blocks and steals, averaging one per game in each category during his brief time in Delaware. If his effort matches what he could potentially bring to the team, McRae will project as a dependable wing defender.

Outlook and Fit

If McRae flashes the potential he showed in last season’s summer league this offseason, it would be tough for Brett Brown to not find consistent playing time for the 24 year-old. However, as stated by McRae in his radio interview with GoVolsXtra, he will compete in the summer league before GM Sam Hinkie decides to keep him on a contract.

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His primary competition would be guards Hollis Thompson and JaKarr Sampson. Both are in favor with Brett Brown due to their work ethic and evident playing time last season.

Where McRae’s value lies is his offensive versatility and ability to score in all three areas on the floor. Brown usually gets the complete effort out of his players and McRae needs coaching on the other side of the floor to maximize his defensive value.

McRae has a chance to earn minutes with various players also in the same situation. Both Thompson and Sampson haven’t enticed management enough to garner a consistent starting spot. McRae would come off the bench if signed onto the main roster before September 9, due to rotation status as a new player, but has a realistic shot to be a starter next season.

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Breaking Down What Jordan McRae Brings To The Sixers

By Jake Hyman | May 10, 2015

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