In his rookie season, Doug McDermott only managed to play in 36 regular season games, where he only played 8.9 minutes per game. With a new coaching staff in Chicago, the former college player of the year knows how he is going to take some time from some of the other players on the roster.
It’s all going to start will playing more off the ball and knowing how to get himself open. Since he has already had this conversation with Fred Hoiberg, McDermott has definitely been spending a lot of time working on this throughout the offseason.
“With a new coaching staff and a fresh approach to the offense, McDermott knows what Hoiberg wants to see from him. ‘He wants me to move without the basketball. I feel like I’m doing a good job of that, and he wants me to shoot that thing when I’m open, and I’ve been getting them up,’ McDermott said. McDermott isn’t expecting more minutes just because it’s a new staff and is approaching this season with the right attitude. ‘I still have to earn it,’ he said. ‘We’ve got a lot of veterans. We have a lot of young guys who are good, too. Once training camp hits, playing time will be up for grabs. Who’s ever ready is going to take it.'”
The best thing is McDermott knows nothing is guaranteed going into next season, and he will have to prove everything to both his coaches and teammates to show he can be a huge contributor. Once again, Chicago is going to be at the top of the Eastern Conference, and this season, the Creighton alumni could help a bit more in their quest for a title.
