McAdoo hits NBA jackpot with winning Warriors
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Golden State Warriors have put together one of the most successful three-season spans in NBA history, with two championships and a record 73-win regular season. And North Carolina product James Michael McAdoo has been there the whole way.
“God is good, bro. That’s all I can really say,” McAdoo said Monday. “I feel like I hit the NBA Jackpot. To go undrafted out of Carolina, go to the D-League and then come back up here, and be a part of this organization and this team, and win two rings in three years – I’m speechless, man. It’s unreal.”
After he left North Carolina following his junior year, McAdoo was signed by the Warriors, who didn’t have a draft pick. He spent most of his rookie year in the D-League – becoming one of only two players in league history to win both an NBA title and D-League title in the same season – but has stayed up with Golden State since then.
“I just try to stay humble and work as hard as I can,” McAdoo said. “A lot of times I may not make it out on the court, but I just try to improve my game each and every day, cheer my teammates on and let the rest take care of itself.”
McAdoo appeared in 13 playoff games this season, posting 24 points and 13 rebounds, and was on the court for a total of 11 minutes during the 2017 Finals as Golden State defeated Cleveland 4-1. He averaged 8.8 minutes in a career-high 52 games during the regular season.
McAdoo is one of six Warriors who also won rings in 2015, when Golden State beat Cleveland in six games in McAdoo’s first season. In last year’s rematch, the Warriors blew a 3-1 lead and lost in seven games, making this season’s 4-1 series win over the Cavs even sweeter.
“My first year I had no idea what I was doing, but this year I know what it takes to get to this point,” McAdoo said. “Obviously last year, the way it ended, was tough. So to come win the way we did was unreal.”
McAdoo could conceivably go to a different team and get more playing time. But in a raucous locker room scene on Monday, as he sported ski goggles to keep the champagne from his eyes, McAdoo didn’t seem in a hurry to leave to the Bay Area.
“(Winning) will never get old,” McAdoo said. “I’m addicted to it.”
This story was originally published June 13, 2017 at 3:45 PM with the headline "McAdoo hits NBA jackpot with winning Warriors."