Post by James on Nov 6, 2007 19:20:59 GMT -5
The Marcus Taylor Story
Marcus Taylor spent only 2 years at Michigan State before declaring himself eligible for the 2002 BBS draft. The 6’3” point guard was touted as a late first round pick however found himself drafted at 46 by the Washington Wizards.
A consistent outside scorer and a great protector of the ball, Taylor was naturally demoralised at the post-draft press conference held in his home town of Detroit. “I’m obviously very disappointed at where I ended up. I thought I was good enough for the first round, but obviously not,” said Taylor who was fighting back tears. “I guess I’ll have to thank Washington for picking me and work even harder to show the teams that past up on me what I can do”.
Taylor played in only 21 games during his rookie year, averaging 1.9ppg, 1.7apg and 1.3rpg before being released and pickup in the off-season by the Boston Celtics. Used primarily as the teams 3rd string point guard, MT saw similar playing time however managed to bolster his offensive output to a generous 5ppg in only 10 minutes per night.
“Although I didn’t get any more time in Boston, my confidence grew when I played there. “I was allowed to shoot the ball a lot more and I did, it lifted my averages up which is important when the off-season comes around because GM’s take a lot of notice of your numbers when they are laying cash down on the table”.
Taylor would change cities once more during the 2004 off-season, this time moving to Phoenix. Here, Taylor played in 55 games for the Suns averaging 16 minutes a night. His statistics didn’t increase anymore than those that he clocked up in Boston, however many GM’s began to see the potential Taylor had to be a quality player.
The following year cemented Taylors position in the BBS. After signing with his 4th team in as many years, Taylor played a pivotal roll in Utah’s 2005 season averaging 13.8ppg whilst playing all 82 games for the franchise. “Utah were very good to me. They believed in what I could do and I delivered” Taylor said.
The next year would be Taylors career defining season. Minnesota, a struggling franchise in the BBS signed Taylor to a small contract and requested that he start for them in the coming season. Taylor accepted the $5 million per year deal and exploded, averaging just below 20ppg for the Timberwolves in the new season. Not only was he putting up solid offensive numbers, however he was also dishing away 7 dimes per game at an efficient 1.5 turnovers per outing as well.
“Playing in Minnesota was fun,” said Taylor who begins to grin for the first time during the interview. “I was told to just play, and I did. There was a lot of freedom playing for Minnesota. I shot the ball when I got it and managed to find a lot of my teammates very open. It was really fun”.
Twenty or so games into the regular season, Golden States front office got in contact with Minnesota. With Baron Davis just recently shipped off to Indiana, Golden State; a BBS powerhouse were in search for a point guard.
“When I heard that Golden State had got in contact with Minnesota, I got real excited. They have Kobe, and Vince and they just picked up Tim Duncan so I was just excited at the prospect and at the fact that a team like them were interested in a player like me” Taylor explains.
After a few calls back and fourth, Taylor moved to his 6th team in 5 seasons. This time, Taylor would be able to call the Bay Area home for the next 4 years.
“When I got to the Warriors training facility, I was met by the teams General Manager. He went over the expectations he had for me and what he wanted from me. I was scared but looking forward to the challenge”.
Outlined in Taylors expectations included offensive production, work ethic and chemistry with the teams other players. Taylor began to play immediately and make up what was seen to be one of the leagues best frontcourts with Kobe Bryant.
“One minute I’m playing 13 minutes a night for a lottery team. The next, I’m battling it out as a starter for Golden State next to Kobe Bryant. It was like a dream” Taylor says as he revisits the early days in Golden State.
In his first season for the Warriors, he helped them to the BBS finals averaging an incredibly 20.4ppg, 6.0apg and more impressively, 1.3 turnovers per game. Taylors production was amazing considering the jump from last season and the fact that he was playing with 3 other offensive juggernauts in Bryant, Vince Carter and Tim Duncan.
Taylors stats did not deflate during the following seasons either. He maintained his 18+ppg average however increased his assists per game to 8.7 and kept his turnover rate to a startling 1.6 per game.
With the departure of Bryant last year, Taylor really shone averaging 25.6ppg for the rebuilding Warriors and earning himself an all-star appearance.
“When I was named to the all-star team, I got real emotional. I had been playing real good for around 4 or so seasons, but to be recognised by the leagues GM’s as all-star worthy was really special to me” Taylor said.
Once a journeyman and second round draft pick, Taylor is now a legit point guard within the BBS. Although he may be calling a new city home in the coming weeks, he won’t find it hard to land another roster spot, or for that matter, starting job.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity Golden State has given me over the past few years and I understand that my days here are limited,” Taylor says in acceptance of his position on the trade block. “I just hope that the next team I go to realises my potential and ability to play the team game”.
Marcus Taylor spent only 2 years at Michigan State before declaring himself eligible for the 2002 BBS draft. The 6’3” point guard was touted as a late first round pick however found himself drafted at 46 by the Washington Wizards.
A consistent outside scorer and a great protector of the ball, Taylor was naturally demoralised at the post-draft press conference held in his home town of Detroit. “I’m obviously very disappointed at where I ended up. I thought I was good enough for the first round, but obviously not,” said Taylor who was fighting back tears. “I guess I’ll have to thank Washington for picking me and work even harder to show the teams that past up on me what I can do”.
Taylor played in only 21 games during his rookie year, averaging 1.9ppg, 1.7apg and 1.3rpg before being released and pickup in the off-season by the Boston Celtics. Used primarily as the teams 3rd string point guard, MT saw similar playing time however managed to bolster his offensive output to a generous 5ppg in only 10 minutes per night.
“Although I didn’t get any more time in Boston, my confidence grew when I played there. “I was allowed to shoot the ball a lot more and I did, it lifted my averages up which is important when the off-season comes around because GM’s take a lot of notice of your numbers when they are laying cash down on the table”.
Taylor would change cities once more during the 2004 off-season, this time moving to Phoenix. Here, Taylor played in 55 games for the Suns averaging 16 minutes a night. His statistics didn’t increase anymore than those that he clocked up in Boston, however many GM’s began to see the potential Taylor had to be a quality player.
The following year cemented Taylors position in the BBS. After signing with his 4th team in as many years, Taylor played a pivotal roll in Utah’s 2005 season averaging 13.8ppg whilst playing all 82 games for the franchise. “Utah were very good to me. They believed in what I could do and I delivered” Taylor said.
The next year would be Taylors career defining season. Minnesota, a struggling franchise in the BBS signed Taylor to a small contract and requested that he start for them in the coming season. Taylor accepted the $5 million per year deal and exploded, averaging just below 20ppg for the Timberwolves in the new season. Not only was he putting up solid offensive numbers, however he was also dishing away 7 dimes per game at an efficient 1.5 turnovers per outing as well.
“Playing in Minnesota was fun,” said Taylor who begins to grin for the first time during the interview. “I was told to just play, and I did. There was a lot of freedom playing for Minnesota. I shot the ball when I got it and managed to find a lot of my teammates very open. It was really fun”.
Twenty or so games into the regular season, Golden States front office got in contact with Minnesota. With Baron Davis just recently shipped off to Indiana, Golden State; a BBS powerhouse were in search for a point guard.
“When I heard that Golden State had got in contact with Minnesota, I got real excited. They have Kobe, and Vince and they just picked up Tim Duncan so I was just excited at the prospect and at the fact that a team like them were interested in a player like me” Taylor explains.
After a few calls back and fourth, Taylor moved to his 6th team in 5 seasons. This time, Taylor would be able to call the Bay Area home for the next 4 years.
“When I got to the Warriors training facility, I was met by the teams General Manager. He went over the expectations he had for me and what he wanted from me. I was scared but looking forward to the challenge”.
Outlined in Taylors expectations included offensive production, work ethic and chemistry with the teams other players. Taylor began to play immediately and make up what was seen to be one of the leagues best frontcourts with Kobe Bryant.
“One minute I’m playing 13 minutes a night for a lottery team. The next, I’m battling it out as a starter for Golden State next to Kobe Bryant. It was like a dream” Taylor says as he revisits the early days in Golden State.
In his first season for the Warriors, he helped them to the BBS finals averaging an incredibly 20.4ppg, 6.0apg and more impressively, 1.3 turnovers per game. Taylors production was amazing considering the jump from last season and the fact that he was playing with 3 other offensive juggernauts in Bryant, Vince Carter and Tim Duncan.
Taylors stats did not deflate during the following seasons either. He maintained his 18+ppg average however increased his assists per game to 8.7 and kept his turnover rate to a startling 1.6 per game.
With the departure of Bryant last year, Taylor really shone averaging 25.6ppg for the rebuilding Warriors and earning himself an all-star appearance.
“When I was named to the all-star team, I got real emotional. I had been playing real good for around 4 or so seasons, but to be recognised by the leagues GM’s as all-star worthy was really special to me” Taylor said.
Once a journeyman and second round draft pick, Taylor is now a legit point guard within the BBS. Although he may be calling a new city home in the coming weeks, he won’t find it hard to land another roster spot, or for that matter, starting job.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity Golden State has given me over the past few years and I understand that my days here are limited,” Taylor says in acceptance of his position on the trade block. “I just hope that the next team I go to realises my potential and ability to play the team game”.