Marcus McKinnon

2021 Game Tape

Okay, I'll hold my horses. McKinnon actually had an underwhelming rookie year. He never really figured out how to harness his athleticism in the pro game. What's kind of interesting, though, is that McKinnon went viral twice last year: one for his flashy introduction to the league (that Karate celebration in primetime) and one for a legitimately jaw-dropping play (the incredible hit on Marlon Tobey against the Talons). So that meant anybody who had the right mind not to watch a full season of crappy Bobcats football would incorrectly assume it was a good year for McKinnon. Only the few crazy Bobcats fans who watched every game knew he actually wasn't so great of a player last year.

I will say this, though: just watching that play against the Talons does makes you think this youngster is a man amongst boys. It feels like watching Lebron James back when he was a high school basketball player. So sure, you'll hear the nerdier of the pundits talk all day about how his numbers were inefficient or whatever, but just look at this guy! McKinnon may not be perfect right now, but he's going to be really, really good some day. It was still a good pick for Houston. We're not on the verge of bust territory yet, even for a top 10 pick. We knew he'd take a while to adjust - the fact remains that he's a freak of nature.