McClinton Asks Spurs for Release
Sorry, hometown fans, the Heat aren't really an option
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Underdog again? It's no place Jack McClinton hasn't been before.
After going unwanted out of high school, being abandoned at Siena in a coaching staff turnover, and finding himself at the bottom of the draft heap despite owning the ACC's all-time 3-point percentage record as a Miami Hurricane, Jack McClinton is once again taking the tougher road to the NBA: he just became a man without a team after being waived by the Spurs.
According to his Twitter feed (grammatical Apocalypse in 3...2...), being cut is part of his plan:
"it aint bad i asked to be released so i could go elsewhee. we r working to see wasup,, short notice , but things werent working in san an so had to make a decision...there were no spots there for mee. my agent calling around , so im just waiting , hopefully i hear something by friday,,cuz camp start tuesday...2moro, new day, same grind. My shot is feeling better than ever! Let’s see where it will take me next."
Translation: "I have asked to be cut in lieu of being sent to Europe and will take my chances with free agency. My agent is making calls. Pay no attention to the fact that I shot only .217 from the field and went 1 of 4 on 3-pointers in the Las Vegas summer league!"
San Antonio, with an aging team and a defensive mindset, seemed like a good fit for the sharpshooting, hardworking guard. But as McClinton struggled in summer play, the Spurs kept adding to their roster -- most recently fellow guards Keith Bogans and Curtis Jerrells.
With an inflated lineup that would need trimming before the season opener, that meant McClinton was, in all likelihood, about to be discarded.
McClinton may find a home somewhere (unfortunately for the home fans, it's not likely to be the Heat, unless he wants to be paid in concessions fare). It's late in the off-season, which doesn't help. But considering his history, it's best not to write him off.
"He's been down about it and discouraged, but it's the story of Jack's life," his father, Jack McClinton, Sr. told the Sun-Sentinel. "One day he's going to write a book about it."
Here's hoping. Anyone able to help Miami fans momentarily forget about Kirby Freeman deserves a little success.
Janie Campbell believes in ballpark hot dogs and the pro-set. Her work has appeared in irreverent sports sites around the Internet.
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Posted Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 - 12:41 PM EST
