By George Adamopoulos/info@eurohoops.net
For Jordan McRae, transferring his talents to the Basketball Championship has been a positive experience. The veteran swingman averaged 11.8 points per game and helped AEK Betsson get off to a 4-0 start in Group D of the regular season.
The ongoing season is his fourth since his last appearance in the NBA. He played 125 games in the league from 2016 to 2020, including winning an NBA championship with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. From being invited to LeBron James training camp to moving up to the NBA and winning it all as a teammate with LeBron James.
McCray, 32, spoke to Eurohoops about James, from playing with him to developing a relationship with “The King.”
“I’m not surprised that he’s still at the level he’s at. I’m not shocked, but it’s still amazing,” he said, referring to how much effort James put in, “He’s been at the same level. He’s been a team leader for 21 straight years, not including his high school years. “It’s awesome. “
Conversation surrounding the four-time NBA champion quickly turned to understanding the game. “All the stories you hear about him, telling the opposing team’s players where to go, that’s 100 percent true,” McRae confirmed, “His IQ, his love for the game, it’s unparalleled.”
“He acknowledges everyone”
Looking back at the championship parade, LeBron gave him a shout-out during his speech, further deepening their bond.
“He acknowledges everyone on the team. From the players who don’t play, to the towel boys, to everybody,” I said, “It really says a lot about the type of person he is.”
McRae played in 54 games for the Cavaliers, including two in the 2016 playoffs. “Sometimes your career ends like that, it’s crazy.” I remember, “I was only with the Phoenix Suns about a month or two before that. Then I joined the Cavaliers, won a championship, and became really close with those guys. It’s just something that everyone can dream about.”
Kyrie Irving was one of his teammates on the Ohio State team.
“It’s always good off the pitch. On the pitch sometimes things look a lot worse than they are. Two of the best players in the world are trying to figure it out. Sometimes there’s a bit of an argument here or there. It That’s part of it. But it’s all love for those guys,” He told EuroBasket about Irving and James.
Speaking about LeBron’s current situation with the Los Angeles Lakers, McRae talked about the limitations on playing time at this stage of his illustrious career. “You want him to play as little time as possible,” I have already replied, “With him on the court, you always have a chance to win.”
unique skills
That his former teammate ranks among the best players in basketball history is no longer really a discussion, especially not with McCray.
"I don’t think we have," He answered a question about players of his age competing at such a high level, “I know MJ is very good. But being so fast and so athletic, I’m not sure we’ll see anything like this again.”
“No, Roclio,” He added that if other players such as LeBron James could surface in the future, “I just think with his size, 6-foot-8, probably 265, his speed, his athleticism, his IQ, he’s become a shooter over the course of his career. “I’m not sure we Will we see anything like this again. “
The 38-year-old James is often discussed for acting like a general manager during his career. “When you’re a star in the NBA, when you’re a franchise franchise, I think if a general manager is going to make a choice, I think that’s a conversation they should be having.” McCree reaction, “But LeBron isn’t going to call and say ‘cut him’ or ‘get rid of him.’ “He’s not that type of guy. “
“It’s hard for people to believe, but LeBron is probably the most normal guy you’ll ever meet. He’s great. He’s great. He’s got a great sense of humor,” He commented on the discussion with James, “Sometimes you forget who he is.”
“LeBron James is a phenomenal basketball player. Probably one of the best. But at the end of the day he’s human.” Added AEK’s current stars in the Champions League.
“People will blame you”
As with most successful players at any level, criticizing decisions made on and off the field can be an easy way to get into the game on a personal and professional level.
“I think when you’re LeBron James, when you’re who you are, people are going to blame you for things that have nothing to do with you, and then they sometimes don’t give you enough credit,” McRae pointed out, “I think that’s part of being great.”
“He loves the game. “I think what a lot of people don’t understand is that his view of the game is probably four steps ahead of everybody else’s,” I’ve added, “He may look frustrated at times but he loves it. He’s passionate about it. “He wants to win. “
cruel truth
Playing alongside LeBron has been a big part of McRae’s career. From following to contributing on the road to greatness, the former Tennessee standout is happy to share his thoughts on his former teammate.
“I think the hard truth is, he went above and beyond anything anyone could have imagined.” I once emphasized, “As a 17-year-old kid on ESPN it wasn’t enough for him to be a champion, it wasn’t enough to be an All-Star. He had to be a Hall of Famer. They said he could score. Now he’s the No. 1 scorer. “I don’t know What more could you want from a guy like that. “
It is his wish to see LeBron win another NBA championship. “I’m happy to see him win again,” I mentioned, “Just a guy who dedicated his life to it. It’s always good to see guys like that succeed.”
favorite moment
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to tie the 2016 NBA championship to his and James’ peak in some form.
“My favorite moment was when he spoke after we were 3-1 down,” Thinking of McCree, “Look at how calm he looks. See there’s no change in his demeanor. I’m not sure if he’s nervous or scared. But the fact that he doesn’t let anyone else know that he’s nervous or scared, I think he’s like a perfect teammate. As A leader and to see him not panic at all, it was perfect for us. At the end of the day, we came back and made history.”
“There’s a lot of drama that comes to mind. So many passes, dunks, rebounds. Telling stories on the plane. It’s not even basketball. “It’s about money, it’s about wine, it’s about all these different things,” I’ve added, “I got a lot from him.“
At the end of the interview, McCray recalled becoming James’ teammate.
“For a kid who’s been to LeBron James’ training camp, who’s seen him grow from high school to No. 1 pick to winning a championship, and now he’s on his team. It’s not stressful. “You just want him to respect you as a basketball player,” He said.
Jordan McRae talks LeBron James
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