National Basketball Association

Top 5 Patrick McCaw moments as a Warrior

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Oct 14, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) defends against Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Warriors won 129-128. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Patrick McCaw, the 38th overall pick for the Golden State Warriors, has already had some great moments in his young career.

Patrick McCaw is starting to open a lot of eyes. Picked 38th overall, the UNLV Rebel is looking to be the biggest steal in the entire NBA Draft. He’s the real deal.

McCaw has yet to play NBA minutes in the regular season and he’s already an all-time great. Since the Warriors acquired him from the Milwaukee Bucks, he’s only done positive things. He looks like he belongs in the NBA.

The 20 year old swingman has the poise of a veteran. He’s tall with all of the tools to be a really good player. And, most importantly, he seems willing to get better. The Warriors are a team full of larger-than-life stars and, instead of getting starstruck, McCaw has expressed that he’s ready and excited to learn from them.

He’s only been a professional basketball player for a few months, but he’s already had some great moments. He’s pretty much won the fans over as DubNation can’t seem to get enough of him. He’s been great both on and off of the basketball court.

The future is bright for the young McCaw. He’s in a perfect situation for him to grow. Here are Patrick McCaw’s top 5 moments thus far in his Golden State Warriors career.

5. 28 point breakout in Summer League

It didn’t take long for McCaw to have a breakout game. Playing in front of a lot of his Las Vegas fans in the Cox Pavilion, the rookie balled out in the tournament. He had a huge performance against the Toronto Raptors.

McCaw lit up the scoreboard. He scored 28 points in 37 minutes. He shot 10/17 from the field and knocked down 5 three-pointers. It was a brilliant offensive game.

It wasn’t all just offense though. He came away with three steals in this one, flashing his ability to get the ball. With his length and quick hands, McCaw can be a real thief in the league.

Summer League is a place for young players to get their sea legs under them. McCaw showed that he’s ahead of the curve. He understands where to be on the court at all times. He has a good feel for angles, where to dribble, and how to get to his spots.

It was a very exciting outburst. McCaw can put the ball in the basket. His stroke looked good and, while most of his threes came on catch-and-shoot situations, he hit a very nice stepback trey going to his left.

This was a very mature looking outing in one of McCaw’s first professional basketball games.

Oct 1, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Patrick McCaw (0) passes over Toronto Raptors forward Terence Ross (31) in the second quarter at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

4. Drive and dish to Looney

The Warriors are a team that thrive off versatility. They have multiple guys who can play various positions on the floor. When they roll out their Super Death Lineup, there’s a lot of players who can create for themselves and others.

McCaw looks like he’s going to fit in nicely with that. He’s 6’7 with really long arms. He’s got a pretty good looking shot that can really help the Warriors space the floor especially off the bench with Shaun Livingston, Andre Iguodala, and David West.

In this clip, however, McCaw is flashing his vision. He’s showing his offensive creativity and ability to adjust on the fly, He’s not just the shooter that people have been describing him as–he can really put the ball on the floor and make things happen.

He hesitates on the wing and jabs. He gets the defender off balance and explodes with his left hand towards the rim. He sucks in four defenders. He rises up as if he’s going to shoot a layup, splits two Raptors, and finds a cutting Kevon Looney with his left hand after double-clutching in air.

McCaw looked extremely comfortable on that play. He showed patience with the ball in his hand before he even puts it on the floor. He draws multiple defenders and finds the open man. It was an impressive play that showcased his patience, handle, and vision. Something the Warriors value and and down the roster.

May 30, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams (12) and Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) battle for the ball during the second quarter in game seven of the Western conference finals of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

3. Defending Draymond

It hadn’t been a full day yet and Patrick McCaw was already fitting in nicely. The day after the Draft, the second rounder was talking about the Warriors and the NBA Finals. And he made a comment that surely earned him a spot in every Warriors fans’ heart.

McCaw said that he didn’t think Draymond Green deserved to be suspended in the NBA Finals. Those are magic words in the Bay Area. Of course, he’s referencing Green’s untimely suspension ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals when the Warriors were on the cusp of completing their bid for a repeat championship.

Now, it’s unknown whether or not McCaw actually believes that. It show that he’s a very bright young man that knows all the right things to say. It’s good to endear yourself to the fans, especially as a little-known second round pick.

It’s also smart for McCaw to get on Green’s good side. The All-Star power forward is a wonderful person to learn the game from. He, too, is a very intelligent player with a competitive drive that’s second to none.

McCaw’s media skills are fantastic at just the ripe age of 20. Even without really knowing Green, he stuck up for him. That bodes well in the locker room.

2. Open Practice shenanigans

The Warriors’ Open Practice is one of the most fun events that happens all year long. For years, it’s been a time where fans can go to Oracle Arena and really enjoy themselves with the team. Regardless of whether the squad is a title contender or lottery bound, it’s a good experience.

Golden State goes through with their practice in front of the fans, working on drills, plays, and scrimmaging. Then the real fun begins. It gets very interactive with the fans as they get to know the new team for the year.

Rookies and newcomers get a chance to introduce themselves. They do it in unconventional ways though. It sort of doubles as a rookie initiation/hazing type of deal, but it’s all in good fun.

Sometimes the players are shy and are scared to take the mic or center stage. McCaw wasn’t though. And the results were hilarious.

He took the mic from Steph Curry and belted out a lovely a cappella rendition of Soul For Real’s “Candy Rain.” He had great stage presence and he was confident the whole way though. It just didn’t sound great.

Then when Curry brought out video coordinator James Laughlin to do a little something for the crowd, McCaw jumped in. Well, first he ran literal circles around Laughlin then he got into it.

Laughlin, McCaw, JaVale McGee, and Green all danced to Zayion McCall’s “Juju on That Beat.” It’s a song and dance that has taken the Internet by storm. McCaw’s a much better dancer than he is a singer.

Lucky for him, though, he’s pretty good at basketball so he won’t have to rely on those other two skills.

1. Clutch performance in Denver

McCaw had a pretty incredible performance in the Warriors’ preseason game against the Denver Nuggets. He was absolutely clutch as he led a fierce comeback. He took over the game and eventually won it for Golden State.

The Warriors looked like they were on their way to another preseason loss, which would have dropped them to 2-2 thus far. McCaw got some run with the starters, but he couldn’t quite get into a rhythm. Once the stars exited, though, he took over. He was a fantastic leader and led a comeback.

At the end of regulation, McCaw hit a pair of three-pointers including a ridiculous one to tie the game up with 0.1 left on the clock. It was a gutsy shot that he clearly wanted to take. He was several feet behind the line in Steph Curry territory when he called for the ball. Once he got it, he recognized that he didn’t have much time left and hoisted, splashing it and sending the game into overtime.

Then he really settled in. McCaw scored 10 of his 18 in the overtime period. With just a little over four seconds left, the Warriors were set to inbound it on the sideline. He used a screen on the far side and went towards the ball. He received the pass and dribbled left with his man right on his hip. After three dribbles towards the hoop, he rose up, put the ball in his right hand, and shot a floater than went down at the buzzer.

The fact that he wanted to take the big shots both a the end of regulation and overtime has to have Warriors fans excited. He’s not afraid of the big moment, even at a young age. He wants to have the ball in his hands. Not every player is comfortable stepping up to that challenge.

He did and came through. Then social media crowned him a living legend. Basically because he is. It’s his team now.

McCaw’s basketball career is just getting started and he’s already shown a high IQ to go with his natural abilities and work ethic. Expect big things out of this kid. He’s legit.

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