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. |
|
| | |
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. . |
No profanity or inaproppriate remarks. All i.p. addresses will be saved and abuse/hate posts will be reported to providers and authorities as part of the anti-spam act of 2003, thank you for posting comments on the articles only. | | | |
|
|
|
