Interview with pro scout Homer McComb 06.11.2007 - Updated on 06.11.2007
 | | | | | | | | | | Recently I had a chance to talk with veteran hoops scout Homer McComb, and get his take regarding some things to the draft. Lance: So how long you have been scouting players?
Homer: This is my 16th year, but it feels like my 30th! (laughing)
Lance: (laughing back) OK why is that?
Homer: Well scouting is just such an intense job, it requires and demands alot, and it ages you quickly.
Lance: I can definitely feel you on that. I’ve only been in the scouting biz for like 10 months and it can be intense analyzing players constantly.
Lance: Ok here is the big money question everyone is asking. Who should the number one pick be this year, Oden or Durant?
Homer: Oden is a special talent, not many 7’0 footers come around often like hum, he has all the physical tools you look for in an NBA center, plus more! Portland is in need of a center anyway, because Aldridge is a pure power forward, who people are trying to stick at center.
Lance: There have been mixed comparsions on who Kevin Durant may play like in the NBA. I see alot of similarities between him and Rashard Lewis. Others have said he’s Dirk Nowitzki, Tracy McGrady, Chris Bosh, or Kevin Garnett. What do you think?
Homer: His style is more like a Rashard Lewis and another great player not mentioned Shareef Abdur-Rahim.
Lance: Is there any player you feel might be a bust?
Homer: Yes, the player I’m about to stay has great talent, but if he doesn’t develop consistently and add body strength, Brandan Wright may not live up to his potential, and end up like an Eddie Griffin.
Lance: Wow! I didn’t expect to hear his name, but I can agree.
Lance: What do you think about Joakim Noah?
Homer: Well Joakim is an extremely hard worker, you know he’ll always bring passion and energy. He is a winner and a leader. As for his skills he’ll be more effective on defense, than offense. He is better off on a winning team that plays team ball like the Chicago Bulls.
Lance: Who do you feel is underrated in this draft?
Homer: I see two players who people know of, but don’t talk much about for whatever reason, and thats Morris Almond and Jared Dudley. Those two can contribute right now and they have a lot to offer, more than most prospects.
Lance: Are there any players you think should have stayed in college longer?
Homer: Oh yes! There are quite a few Brandan Wright, Thaddeus Young, Josh McRoberts, Javaris Crittenton, Daequan Cook, and Glen Davis. They all have talent but another consistent solid year of college ball could help them very much.
Lance: Do you think Yi Jianlian and Rodney Stuckey are real deals or flukes?
Homer: Neither are flukes, but Jianlian won’t be as good as Pau Gasol who many compare him to, he’ll be decent like Andrea Bargnani. Stuckey gets a bad wrap because he played against lesser competition, but in the NBA he’ll be like an Antonio Daniels.
Lance: What are two key things you look for in a player while scouting them?
Homer: Number one I look for their key niche, like their main skill is it shooting, passing, rebounding, purely offensive, purely defensive, things in that nature. Number two, I look for the weakest part in their game which could be one of things I just mentioned. I’am a firm believer in looking at the biggest pro and con in a player in order to get a good evaluation of their style.
Lance: Where do you rank this draft class out of the 16 you have been apart of?
Homer: I believe this class is the second best I’ve seen in the last 16 years. Number one is the 2003 class headed by LeBron James.
Lance: In your 16 years of scouting are there any players that you’re surprised didn’t pan out? and are there any that you knew wouldn’t pan out?
Homer: Most definetly you can’t be in the business this long and not have both happen. There are so many I could name but I’ll give you a few. I’m not surprised Michael Olowokandi, Mateen Cleaves, Nikoloz Tskitishvili, and Marcus Fizer didn’t have success in the league. I’am surprised that Adonal Foyle, Ron Mercer, and although they’ve had serious injuries Dejuan Wagner and Jay Williams didn’t make it back on a team by now.
Lance: Is there any key advice you wanna give future scouts?
Homer: Sure, well a key scout motto is you are to watch, but not be watched. Which means a scout who is watching a player should be low key in doing his job, without the players, coaches, and any others knowing a scout is there. It’s just better for everyone that it’s like that.
Lance: Yeah, that’s a classic rookie mistake. I made it when I started, I wanted everyone to know I was there scouting. Everyone seems to lose focus when the scout is known, even the scout.
Homer: You’re exactly right!
Lance: Well thank you for talking with me, it was an honor talking to a legendary scout.
Homer: (laughing) It was a pleasure, but I’m no legend at least I don’t think I am. |
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Posted by
jeremiah pringle
on 10.2.2007 | my name is jeremiah pringleand i was woundering if i couldhave the chace that those youngmen have had,I play basketballexsceamly well and i have beentrying to get a brack.if you meet or even call me orE-Mail me im perty sure i willinpress you.my E-Mail is jeremiah.pringle@yahoo.com pleas E-Mail me back . | Posted by
Tha lookout
on 06.14.2007 | I think being scout is a cool job to have. I wouldn’t mind doing it. Homer is the perfect person to learn from. . | Posted by
Lance Walton
on 06.12.2007 | The website is www. smww.com I thought I put it in the first comment. . | Posted by
Lance Walton
on 06.12.2007 | Thanks for the question Willie. It’s hard to give you a specific major for Community College to help you. One that could help get your foot in the door from people I know is sports management. if your school offers it. Another good program out there is sports management worldwide. They have online courses to help you be a scout, agent, front office member, broadcaster. I know a few guys who are instructors, that might not be a bad route to go. is the site I believe. Good Luck with your search and let me know how things go! . | Posted by
Willie Scott
on 06.12.2007 | Question for Lance or Homer. I’m a 29 year man in the Engineering business. But I enjoy playing b-ball and watching it. I played in school back in 1992-96. Now I’m continuing my education at a community college because I would like to get into scouting, coaching or just a NBA career. What degree should I pursue if I want to become a scout at the college or NBA level? Or what job for the NBA can help me get a foot in the door? . | Posted by
Terry Shaw Jr
on 06.11.2007 | Definetly a good job Lance, picking old Homers brain. His scouting knowledge is very good. His has evaluated some great talent over the years. . | Posted by
on 06.11.2007 | Good job Lance! Way to turn the heat up on Homer,with some of the questions. I ecspecially like the one about Jianlian/Stuckey. . | Posted by
TaSandra Zepeda
on 06.11.2007 | I agree wit you gurl, they are some hotties. Good interview Lance, you and CY guys got talent! . | Posted by
Megan 2301
on 06.11.2007 | Lance and CY are sooo damn sexy! So I don’t even care about the others, no offense to them though, that’s just how I feel. . | Posted by
on 06.11.2007 | Alvin R- I’m with you man Lance and CY Ellis are da bomb. Sandor and Rivas are ok. I don’t even have a comment for new dude. Also Homer McComb is one of the best talent evaluators around, so when he says something about a player it’s good to listen. . | Posted by
Dru Matlack
on 06.11.2007 | Durant is more like Lewis, people are overhyping Kevin he’ll be star but not on the level of a McGrady, Nowitzki,or Garnett. You guys may disagree but you watch and see! . | Posted by
Sandra C
on 06.11.2007 | Yo Alvin I agree wit you dawg. I also agree with the scout people are trying stick LeMarcus at center, and he is a perfect PF. . | Posted by
Alvin Rogers
on 06.11.2007 | Lance is the best reporter on hoopsvibe, followed by CY Ellis, Oly Sandor, Jordan Rivas, then the new guy William F. What do you guys think. . | Posted by
Troy
on 06.11.2007 | All the players he mentioned should have stayed in college, I totally agree with. . | Posted by
on 06.11.2007 | I agree with him about Jianlian and Stuckey, those are perfect comparsions. . | Posted by
love and basketball
on 06.11.2007 | I agree Morris Almond and Jared Dudley are very underrated and have alot to offer. I also can agree that Brandan Wright could be a potential bust. . | Posted by
Future Scout
on 06.11.2007 | Great interview Lance, Homer is just being modest he is one of the best in the biz. I hope to be half as good as he is. . |
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