Latest news with #RashadMcCants
Fox News
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox News
North Carolina great Rashad McCants dishes on the NBA Finals, Michael Jordan, Bill Belichick and more
Rashad McCants is a former McDonald's All-American who continued his basketball career at the University of North Carolina, where he established himself as one of the Tar Heels' all-time greats, winning a National Championship in 2005 and twice being named an All-American. His collegiate success led to him being selected by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft, 14th overall. Following an NBA career that saw him average 10 points per game between stops in Minnesota and Sacramento, McCants became the first-ever pick in Ice Cube's Big3 league. His team won the league's inaugural championship and McCants was named championship game MVP. On Monday, McCants, who previously wrote a book on the exploitation of student athletes - Plantation Eduction: The Exploitation of the Modern-Day Athlete-Student, joined OutKick exclusively on Monday to talk NBA Finals, Bill Belichick's fit at UNC, playing alongside Kevin Garnett, the NCAA Transfer Portal and more. Anthony Farris: With the NBA Finals currently tied at one game a piece between Oklahoma City and Indiana, who do you have coming out as the eventual winner and in how many games? Rashad McCants: I have Indiana in seven (games) because (head coach) Rick Carlisle's not going to allow certain things to happen where (the Pacers) don't have an opportunity to win, like you saw in Game One. I think OKC's lack of experience will have them put in situations where they'll compromise games and I think that alone will allow Indiana to creep in. And the (Indiana) fanbase can propel a new story to the front of the tabloids instead of OKC doing so by having the MVP (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander). Farris: If you're starting a team today, do you do so with SGA or Tyrese Haliburton? McCants: There's preference on what type of team you want to build. But right now, if I'm a winner, and I want a team with chemistry, I'm gonna pick Haliburton because he distributes the ball. He shares the sugar, makes sure everyone gets involved. And he's not afraid to take the last shot. That has nothing to do with Shai, it just has everything to do with the advantages of Haliburton being a team-oriented guy. Farris: You played your first two NBA seasons with Kevin Garnett on the Timberwolves. What was that experience like? McCants: My experience with him was completely different than everyone else's because I got to see the raw element of who he is in downtime when he's not wearing the mask and he's not performing. A lot of people can say through their experiences, "this is how he is," "this is how he's that." But if he hasn't let you through the door to let you see who he is, you'd see that he's just a fun dude. He likes to do everything that everyone else likes to do, but he's very competitive, very intense and very funny. So if you get past a lot of those little areas where he can scare you or intimidate you, you'll find that he's just a funny ass dude that's cool as hell… Farris: As hard a worker as everyone says? McCants: Absolutely. He understands the dynamics of details similar to Kobe. I think having Kev as my mentor and vet, felt like I had Kobe Bryant as the same type of guy. I knew they were cut from the same type of cloth, both being my heroes. It was not a drop-off at all when it came to competitiveness, details, footwork, all of those things. Farris: You played against Kobe, LeBron, Wade, Arenas, others. Who was the best you played against during your NBA career? McCants: Kobe Bryant was the best. I was a big student of his. But when it comes down to just hard to guard a chess master. (He was) like Bobby Fischer. He was just one of those guys you had to prepare two-to-three days ahead for. Outside of him, probably Vince Carter. …Just that era period. You talk about shooting guards and small forwards, from Paul Pierce to Tracy McGrady to Ray Allen to Dwyane Wade to Michael Redd, we had to see a lot of (star) guys, so it's hard to just pinpoint one or two guys. But then again, it's actually really, really easy because there was one guy that was better than all of those guys - Kobe. Farris: Switching over to college athletics, what are your thoughts on the transfer portal? Do you think it's a good thing? McCants: Whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, there's just no structure to it. …I think it can be a good thing if it's done right and if kids are not entitled to just show up and do nothing and demand things. There has to be a contractual obligation. For you to get this money, you've gotta show up and go to practice, you've got to be attentive. There are things now: boundaries, restrictions. It's not just that you can make money, and you act like you're a millionaire, you don't have to come and perform. In my book I talk about performance-based requirements and academic-based requirements. If you're here for basketball, you gotta do all these things before you transfer. If you're Caleb Love and you wanna leave North Carolina and go to Arizona, alright, did you fulfill all your requirements? Farris: When you were at UNC, was Michael Jordan ever around and were there open communication lines? McCants: He came by. It was Michael Jordan so we didn't have access to him like that (laughing), but he definitely came by to practices to say hello. He'd come back and say hello to everybody and bet us to shoot from halfcourt and keep it movin. Farris: Who was winning that? McCants: Me, of course. Farris: So you beat Jordan? McCants: Well, I hit (the shot attempt) first. Farris: How are you feeling, as a Tar Heel, with A) having Bill Belichick as the school's football coach? And B) with everything that surrounds him right now?McCants: (laughing) I like Belichick a lot. I think the UNC move was a good move for him. But I think with his morale and everything around him now, (his girlfriend Jordon Hudson) and everything, it's just controversy waiting to happen. It's more pressure on him than ever before, because if he doesn't win, it's the distractions that around him and he's not really focused. And if he does win, this is maybe a little bit too easy. You came down to the college ranks to dominate. I love the fact that he's in North Carolina to give some prestige back (to the program). Mack Brown tried. It's an opportunity for him to build something. But Belichick, I just think…he's gonna be a man. He's gonna be a man and do what you wanna do. I'm not gonna tell him not to do it. You know, we all want to do it but you gotta have enough money to do it. And if you don't, you don't. Cool. But salute to Bill. He's having fun. He's living his life. Farris: One last question. Ice Cube's Big3 returns this weekend. You won a championship in the league's first season. How big of an adjustment is it going from playing 5-on-5 full court to 3-on-3 half court? McCants: When you talk about preparation for it and the half court and the difference, you play a lot harder because you can get exposed a lot quicker. There's not a lot of help (defense). With 5-on-5 you've got a lot of extra help with two extra guys on the court. You can cut the court (angles) off and kind of rest a little bit. But 3-on3, as soon as a shot goes up, somebody gets the rebound, and you can throw it to (a player at) the three point line and shoot it (immediately). So everyone's constantly running around. You have to be in (good) cardio (shape). It's not what everyone thinks it is. It's definitely harder than 5-on-5. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former NBA player says the Lakers should trade LeBron James
Other than improving at the center position and plugging their guard and wing depth, the Los Angeles Lakers have to make sure LeBron James returns to the team for his 23rd NBA season. While he was non-committal following their playoff exit against the Minnesota Timberwolves when it came to his immediate future, many expect him to be back this fall. He has a player option for the 2025-26 campaign, which he can turn down to become a free agent this summer in order to sign a new, slightly longer contract. He can, of course, simply decide to play out his current deal, whether he retires in a year or not. Advertisement But there are those who feel the Lakers need to let him leave for their own good. Former NBA player Rashad McCants said in an exclusive interview with Basketball Insiders that the team should trade the 40-year-old superstar (h/t Ahn Fire Digital). '100% get rid of LeBron, bring in some young assets,' McCants said. 'He still has enough energy to go out there and warrant some good players for him. You get rid of GM Rob Pelinka, you might have to move Austin Reaves. You really might have to really start over completely, because Luka [Doncic] is uncertain whether he's even going to re-sign.' He feels that if James sticks around, it would prevent other superstars from coming to Los Angeles. 'You don't want to build around LeBron still being there, holding up other superstars from coming,' said McCants. 'The best scenario is to start fresh. If you're going to start fresh with Luka, the first thing you need to do is get enough pieces defensively that's going to help.' McCants even seemed to allude to the controversy over James and his son, Bronny, playing in the same organization. 'They have to, because the nostalgia of the storyline is depleted,' said McCants. 'The Disney storyline of father-son, all the points in the world, all that s— is played out. At this point now where we're looking at, where do the Lakers go after the circus is over? Now that the circus is over, you either have to start over, or you have to bring in new lions and tigers and bears in. They don't have a pick, they don't have assets that can be moved that can get quality players. They're kind of stuck.' If the Lakers were to decide to move on from James, it wouldn't be easy to move him. For one thing, he has a rare no-trade clause, which would allow him to practically choose his destination. He would want to play on a team with enough talent remaining to help him contend for the NBA championship, which may mean the Lakers wouldn't get enough in return. Advertisement Another team may not even offer them much in return, given that James is close to the end of his career. Given the Lakers' need for a second superstar next to Doncic, as well as how much money James brings to them financially, it's safe to say that if James wants to stay with them, he will. This article originally appeared on LeBron Wire: Former NBA player says the Lakers should trade LeBron James
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-NBA Vet, UNC Star Says Lakers '100%' Must Cut Ties With LeBron James, Deal Austin Reaves
A popular theme is developing among former NBA players with regards to the Los Angeles Lakers, one that even now feels almost sacrilegious to utter aloud: that the time has come for the franchise to move on from superstar LeBron James. The latest ex-player to put his name on that notion is Rashad McCants, a four-year veteran of the league (Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings) and a standout in college at North Carolina where he won a national championship in the 2004-05 season -- one year after James entered the NBA. Advertisement '100% get rid of LeBron, bring in some young assets,' McCants told Basketball Insiders in an exclusive interview published Thursday, May 8. "He still has enough energy to go out there and warrant some good players for him." Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) and guard Austin Reaves (15).Matt Blewett-Imagn Images McCants took it even further, suggesting that the Lakers also move on from their general manager and potentially deal guard Austin Reaves -- all with the intention of rebuilding the franchise from the ground up around Luka Doncic. "You get rid of GM Rob Pelinka, you might have to move Austin Reaves," McCants continued. "You really might have to really start over completely, because Luka is uncertain whether he's even going to re-sign." Advertisement Doncic is extension-eligible in early August, though he doesn't necessarily need to re-up right away, or even during this offseason at all if he chooses. Given James' age -- he will turn 41 in December -- and the fact that he will break a league record by playing in his 23rd NBA season should he return to L.A. for the 2025-26 campaign, combined with the amount of money he is owed ($56.2 million next year), there is some theoretical logic to the notion of the Lakers moving on. But it also feels like that notion lacks critical context. Although the awards have yet to be released, James is highly likely to earn a spot on one of the league's three All-NBA teams. Should he earn that honor, he will do so on the strength of 24.4 points, 8.2 assists and 7.8 rebounds in 34.9 minutes per game across 70 regular season starts. Advertisement Furthermore, James has a player option on the final year of his contract (2025-26) as well as a no-trade clause. That means he holds all the cards. James can choose to play next season and force the Lakers to keep him on the roster, paying him every cent he's owed -- and there is literally nothing Los Angeles can do to change that. Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce, a fierce rival of James' in the Eastern Conference during the late 2000s and early 2010s, made a similar suggestion earlier this month that the Lakers move on from James. Related: Lakers Predicted to Go After Luka Doncic's Former Teammate
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Rashad McCants On Why His Show With Ex-NBA Star Gilbert Arenas Is So Popular: ‘The Barbershop Feel'
Rashad McCants is making a name for himself on the entertainment side as a member of "Gil's Arena," ... More currently the No. 1 daily digital basketball show. (Photo byfor BIG3) Rashad McCants is best known for being one of the lead players of the 2005 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team that won the National Championship, but he's making a name for himself on the entertainment side of things two decades later. The 40-year-old spent four years in the NBA after he was selected with a first-round draft pick in 2005 by the Minnesota Timberwolves. The smooth scoring shooting guard made a name for himself while playing under legendary college basketball head coach Roy Williams, garnering an All-American selection after leading the ACC in scoring (20.0 points per game) during his sophomore season in 2003-04. However, if you mention McCants' name now, it's associated with "Gil's Arena" -- the most popular current daily basketball digital show. Simply put, "Gil's Arena" is named after former three-time NBA All-Star Gilbert Arenas. Arenas leads a panel of former NBA stars, including the likes of McCants, Kenyon Martin, Brandon Jennings and Nick Young while they debate the hottest topics in the basketball world. What makes it stand out in a space that is littered with athlete-hosted shows and podcasts is its authenticity and how it's unfiltered. In other words, it gives off the barbershop feel and the debate bounces back and forth between guys who aren't afraid to go at one another -- just as if they were still on the hardwood court. "That's the barbershop feel that we want to give back to the community," says McCants in a one-on-one interview. "When people watch, they feel like they're there. You can hear people in the comments talk during the show as if they're there live. They're talking to the TV, 'Oh, that's a BS take.' That's the energy we want." McCants -- who says they all get competitive while they're debating -- says that authenticity during the show is what makes it great entertainment for fans. "That element alone gives a great fanfare, it gives great fan engagement," says McCants. "We get to play characters good enough for people who think that it's real, like people think that we might have some type of energy against each other. As basketball players, we all have a job, and that's to win. We're all doing our part, playing our roles, and we're being successful at it." Gil's Arena isn't just a podcast, it's a studio show that is broadcast live on YouTube. The show began in 2023 after Arenas convinced McCants to partner up with him for a podcast after the duo would repeatedly run into each other at the 24-Hour Fitness. McCants details how it was Arenas' vision that led to the show being put together, saying how the former Washington Wizards star wanted to mimic popular NBA shows such as "Inside the NBA" and "First Take." "He's been watching the whole First Take panel, Inside the NBA, and he wanted to mimic something like that, to give us all the freedom to speak the game," says McCants of Arenas. "We took that and we've been able to elevate it to a point where now all of the athletes want podcasts. All athletes want a voice and to be able to talk about the sport. That's the best thing that we could do to give back, is to give a voice to the athletes." It also doesn't hurt that all five of the main characters on the show played during the same time period in the NBA during the 2000's. Martin is the oldest at 47 years old with Jennings the youngest at 35 years old. However, each former basketball player on the show had their careers intertwine with one another. McCants self-admittedly loves playing the role of "villain" and "controversial contrarian" on the show, saying that he gives a unique perspective from the side of people who don't have the platform to speak. "In the realm of competition, you want to be able to take it as heated as possible," says McCants of the show's format. "You want to be able to take it to the edge. You want to be able to cross that line just to get the win. You have to be able to hold your ground, hold your arguments. You have to be able to stick to your guns and hopefully somebody gives up before you do." The show has over 1 million followers. For perspective, the most popular basketball player-hosted podcast "All The Smoke" with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson -- and the O.G. in that category, having started in October of 2019 -- has just over 1.1 million followers on YouTube. Long story short, "Gil's Arena" is right there with them. According to McCants, the long-term objective of the show is to continue to grow the viewership, create longevity and eventually be considered on the same tier as "First Take" and "Inside The NBA." "The long-term objective is to reach as many people as possible and to forge a relationship with those people, to trust our takes, our opinions, our perspectives," says McCants. "The long-form plan is to create longevity in this space where we can have seats next to NBA on TNT, Sports Center, First Take and we can be beside these guys and not have to be corporate. 'Independence is the number one beacon in this country,' McCants continues to say. "If we can take our talents off YouTube and away from linear viewership and create our own lane, I think we'll see better results."
